Hey folks we have incorporated into our Monster gear section a "Rod Building" section to help you choose the best possible rod and components for our type of fishing.Whether you choose a 10 foot rod or a 6 foot rod we provide all the information so you choose the one that will best suit your needs.Rod building has been evolving with some very innovative products on the market that are changing the face of rod building.Check out the new section and Armbreaker rods with Dave Cichon as the master rod builder.We will start the discussion with question "Who made the best shark blank ever Harnell,Gatorglass,Lamiglass or Harrington ?
"MONSTER GEAR & ROD BUILDING"
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Hi William:
On the story of rods. I always choose A Harnell 39 thread rod for my 16/0 Senators reels and a 24 thread for my 12/0 Senator reel. I did have a Harnell 54 thread once, but I always thought of that rod, like one would think of a fence post. I personally wrapped them all myself. I used full sets of Mildrem roller guides for all of my shark rods.
My long rods were Harrington. I especially liked the Harrington 542 blank. It seemed to me that it was just limber enough to get a super good cast out of it using Gudebrod IGFA 30# class G-6 Dacron line. I don't remember the reels that much now, but seems to me that I used Abu 7000 and Abu 10000? I may be wrong about the numbers though. I did modify the drag on the 7000 with teflon washers that I made myself and I took the level wind mechinisem out of both reels. Those Harrington 542 rods I also wrapped them myself. I think I used a full set of Aftco carbide guides? The only problem with these guides was if you dropped the rod you would more than likely break a guide or two. In this case I am truly grateful for new technology!
Smaller spinning tackle, I just purchased store bought Fenwick rods.
Tight Lines,
Norman Bateman
Cape Coral, Florida
ncbateman1@aol.com
http://www.batemanphotography.net