The "Baptism"

[DRY]

Had a chance to baptize the new rod late this afternoon. Air temp was in the 50's; but falling water levels and water temps around 35F made for scarce fish.
Did entice one 14 incher on the Winco Undulator.

The rod casts a 1/8 oz. jig very nicely. You can feel every stone, rock or tree limb the jig hits. Very sensitive rod blank.

It is now officially a "smallmouth rod."

[CowDawg]

She probably needs a name...

[DRY]

She probably needs a name...

Excellent idea.........

   

How about Moby Dick!! 

[HenryDavid]

That's an unusual looking fighting butt on the end of that rod, or was it made without a fighting butt 

[DRY]

That's an unusual looking fighting butt on the end of that rod, or was it made without a fighting butt 

Not exactly sure what a fighting butt is?
Smallmouth fight well but they're not barracuda or tuna. 

A rodbuilder in Harrisburg helped me get started in the hobby several years ago and he was building rods with this sleek, black butt cap. I really like it. All you really need for most freshwater rods is a comfortable place for your hand when you grip the rod and reel.

Most of my rods have a split grip and I see no reason for having a hunk of cork or EVA foam stuck to the butt of the rod.

Here are 2 others that I have made with that style butt cap.





Bill

[Responsible_Angler]

I kind of like that style of butt cap and you might be on to something there.  When the fish don't bite you can always use it to stop and shoot pool on the way home. 

[1iarrowking]

I Just found this thread now and read through it bottom to top.  Nice rod and a lot of information.  I may have to try it next winter.  I built a rod about 45 years ago from a fiberglass blank and parts I got from Herter's.  I bet Bill remembers them but most of the rest of you are too young.  I glued the cork grip on with Elmers, I think, and did the wraps with lacquer and just guessed at the guide placement. It caught a few trout.  It's still tucked away in a closet.  It would make a better buggy whip than a fishing rod.   Maybe the next one will turn out better with all this new information. 

Thanks, Ken

[DRY]

... I may have to try it next winter.  ...
Thanks, Ken

It will look good with that new boat!!

Bill

[Responsible_Angler]

It would make a better buggy whip than a fishing rod.  Maybe the next one will turn out better with all this new information. 

Other than being a little heavy compared to todays rods you actually have a dandy small squarebill crankbait rod sitting in your closet.  St. Croix and a few other companies still make an all fiberglass rod for crankin.

[1iarrowking]

It's too wimpy for that and it has no hook setting power.  It just bends.  My exwife accused me of never throwing anything out and I guess that's why I still have it.   I do have an old fiberglass ugly stick in the same closet that I used for exatly that.

[johnfries7]

its so nice down here in phila that its killing me not to be on the river I will john