Fly Rod to Spinning rod conversion

[Keith Homan]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and after cruising this site for a bit decided that there are some great opportunities to learn a lot from a very knowledgeable member base.

I'm just getting ready to start building my own rods and want to use a 8' - 9' 2 piece fly rod blank to make a spinning rod with single foot Aluminum Oxide guides and use a close faced underspin reel with monofilament. I had one similar to this built in 98 but just recently broke it and the fellow that made it is sadly no longer with us. The rod has no markings on it that reference rod wt. or action so I guess I'll have to start from scratch.

I'm pretty passionate about bluegill fishing and that rod was the ultimate BG rod. I just want to build one as close to it as possible. I already have orders for 3 of them once I get into the building process. LOL

Has anyone on here ever undertaken a project like this and if so, what wt. rod blank and action did you use?

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Keith

[dick tabbert]

Many year ago I built some rods. All my rod building supplies came from Netcraft of Toledo which was convenient for me because it was just around the corner from me. I built a jig to build my rods first don't know if I still have it or not. My first rod was a lamiglass heavy rod blank which I made a worm rod out of. I then built many Ugly Sticks for people in the shop I even built a couple ultralights which I eventually gave to the grandkids. I finally gave it up. There was no savings in it only the satisfaction of knowing you built it. I used quit a few different blanks and there is lots to building a rod but I think my longest rod was 7 foot. The most important thing is to remember that before you start see which way the bend is in the blank so you can build accordingly. Have fun Keith and GOOD FISHIN..

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Im curious Keith - do you want it have the action of a fly rod or to behave like long spinning rod? I should think that decision must be made up front.