Ideal float rod and why

[axisgear]

I've been doing some field research and have gathered my own opinions on the subject thus far. I'm curious what some of you may think,and why,as far as brand,length,action,etc....... What made you decide on that/those particular rod/s?

Will Loomis ever sell the 15' GLX as a blank?????????:lol:[sorry]

[Frogpoopin]

Will Loomis ever sell the 15' GLX as a blank.......ahhh nope:lol:

[gomer]

In my opinion, limiting it to one float rod as the "ideal" rod would be like saying which golf club is the ideal club. Each of my rods have a different application. That being said, of my float rods, my favorite "all around" rod would be my 13ft loomis frontier STR1562 blank. I believe its rated for 4-8 and medium action. Its not a meat stick nor is it a wet noodle. I have shorter rods for smaller water and longer/heavier rods for big water.

As far as the GLXs go, I can't see myself getting one. I am sure they are sexy sticks but when I can tie 2 good rods for half the price, its hard to justify it, especially on a college student budget...:lol:

[Flyfisher]

In my opinion, limiting it to one float rod as the "ideal" rod would be like saying which golf club is the ideal club. Each of my rods have a different application. That being said, of my float rods, my favorite "all around" rod would be my 13ft loomis frontier STR1562 blank. I believe its rated for 4-8 and medium action. Its not a meat stick nor is it a wet noodle. I have shorter rods for smaller water and longer/heavier rods for big water.
I have to agree with Adam...there is no single "ideal" rod. My first rod was the original 2pc 13' Loomis IMX. I ended up selling it because although it is as light as a feather, I disdain 2pc rods. It was a on the fast side and I tended to pull a lot of hooks out of hot fish on smaller water because the rod didn't absorb much shock on a short line. It was good on big water but, again, I prefer multipiece rods. What I also found, is that a fast stick did not suit my "swing/BC cast" very well because there was no load to the rod on smaller water with lighter floats, where I spend 80% of my time. I now have a few rods, one for big/high water and a wimpy noodle for low flows on smaller water. My third rod is good all around but a bit heavier than the other ones.

[axisgear]

My question was simply for clarification and justification[sheer boredom:lol:]. I have accumulated many float rods,all different for a reason, and wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one.

[Steelheadfred]

In my opinion, limiting it to one float rod as the "ideal" rod would be like saying which golf club is the ideal club. Each of my rods have a different application. That being said, of my float rods, my favorite "all around" rod would be my 13ft loomis frontier STR1562 blank. I believe its rated for 4-8 and medium action. Its not a meat stick nor is it a wet noodle. I have shorter rods for smaller water and longer/heavier rods for big water.

As far as the GLXs go, I can't see myself getting one. I am sure they are sexy sticks but when I can tie 2 good rods for half the price, its hard to justify it, especially on a college student budget...:lol:


I agree with Gomer, only advantage to a GLX is telling your buddies on the internet you have one....in float rods I am much more concerned about action, balance, ext, before weight, and sensitivity.

I have a number of custom sticks, they all work, current fav for small water is the 11'6 rainshadow rated for 4-10lb. I cut 3 inches cut off the tip, and liked the action a little bit better. For what ever reason the last foot of the rod tip did not seem to bend in balance with the entire tip section. I am still trying to find a favorite "long rod."

[TheSteelheadBum]

For fishing while wading:

For an all around stick my favorite blank I have ever fished is the Loomis STFR1601-SK. I don't like the guide spacing on the factory version of it that much, but it works fine. I have a GLX 1562 being built for winter fishing which is a litle less powerful than the 1601, I am sure I will love it as well. I have been fishing a Rainshadow 13' stick a lot lately and like it a lot too. Beulah's 11'6" 6/7 that I did some testing on for Beulah is a very sweet stick for summer/fall steelhead in small water as it has plenty of power to keep them out of the wood. The Raven 13'6" IM9 is a sweet stick. Basically whatever you like and can afford is the best. For all of my big water fishing I would run the Loomis 1601 if they sold it in blank form so I guess that would be my favorite all around rod as I do 90% of my fishing on the biggest water in the state. I don't like a 15' rod at all. Just personal preference.

Fishing from a boat:

I got to play with a custom Z-Axis 11' 5 weight float rod which was really sweet as well. My next float rod will be built on a Z-Axis 11' 6 or 7 weight blank. Fishing from a boat the extra length is just not needed in my opinion.

Goose is definitely right, you can not have just one float rod and expect it to do well in every situation, but if you were limited to just one something in the 13' range would be the way to go...

[tommytubular]

I had a 13' rainshadow built for me... I'm suppose to pick it up on Sunday. I sure hope it will be my favorite for a year or so... can't afford another one for awhile.

[TheSteelheadBum]

I had a 13' rainshadow built for me... I'm suppose to pick it up on Sunday. I sure hope it will be my favorite for a year or so... can't afford another one for awhile.

It's a great rod, you will enjoy it a lot. One thing is you should have 3-4 ounces of counter balance added to the inside of the butt of the rod for it to balance properly. Trust me this makes a night & day difference. If it's to late for that buy one of these that you just slip on to the butt of the rod for counter balance. You can adjust the amount of counter balance by how many of the lead disks you put inside it. Don't bother with putting any quarters in it like the directs say. They are useless. Here is a link to the slip on balancer: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=16515&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

[tommytubular]

It's a great rod, you will enjoy it a lot. One thing is you should have 3-4 ounces of counter balance added to the inside of the butt of the rod for it to balance properly. Trust me this makes a night & day difference. If it's to late for that buy one of these that you just slip on to the butt of the rod for counter balance. You can adjust the amount of counter balance by how many of the lead disks you put inside it. Don't bother with putting any quarters in it like the directs say. They are useless. Here is a link to the slip on balancer: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=16515&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

he said he had it set up for counter balance... but if it isn't I will certainly look at your alternative solution

I can't wait to give this pinning thing a try

[TheSteelheadBum]

he said he had it set up for counter balance... but if it isn't I will certainly look at your alternative solution

I can't wait to give this pinning thing a try

Good deal. It will make a huge difference at the end of the day if you have a properly balanced float rod. Especially in the wind as there is a lot of rod out there to catch the wind and put strain on your wrist/forearm.

Have fun!

[axisgear]

I had a 13' rainshadow built for me... I'm suppose to pick it up on Sunday. I sure hope it will be my favorite for a year or so... can't afford another one for awhile.
Tom,you won't be disappointed with the IST1562f Rainshadow. I have two and can't justify getting rid of either one. One was built for me,one I built myself,both are workhorses that didn't break the bank.
I did,however,build a new rod[one of MANY!!!!!] with the Lamiglas XSH144 blank and have become quickly addicted to the way it tows steelies out of the boils at 6th st.;)

Good stuff......

[axisgear]

Okay! Here's a heartfelt question! Who manufactures the best 13'-15' rod[custom or otherwise/spey,too I guess.weight is a concern]? I am in the market for a new build and Loomis hasn't released the GLX as a blank yet[:rolleyes:]. Some opinions are welcome.

[TheSteelheadBum]

A Raven blank for sure. Either the IM8 or IM9. That is what I wish I would have done instead of dropping a grand on having a GLX stripped & re-built. The price difference is not worth the small weight difference...

[joecc]

I fish the Raven 13'6" IM9 and love it. Pretty nice rod for the money. On the PM, I use a Sage 10' 6" blank (2106)...which is an awesome fighting rod.

[Carpmaster]

Just out of curiosity are you guys using spey blanks?

[sport72186]

Kory,

Will that balancing system work on a 13' st croix avid? reason I ask is that the description says it fits most straight handled rods. The base of my avid's handle flares out a bit at the end.. thanks.

[Steelheadfred]

Just out of curiosity are you guys using spey blanks?


My float rods are all being built on "steelhead blanks" or float blanks. I have built some spey rods, they do not differ much from factory spey's, outside of "proper" guide spacing.

I built a spey rod for a Alaska Guide, 13 foot 8/9 weight, took me a lot of time to get the guide spacing right on that four piece blank, but when I did he reported it had become "the favorite" spey rod in camp amongst the guides....

sorry to get off topic.

[Carpmaster]

Thanks, I have been nosing around trying to decide if it would be worth it for me to C pin and thought about tying my own....

[kype138]

I've got a Forecast two-handed fly rod (12'6", 7/8 wt, 4 pc) - I built it two years ago, and have since discovered that I don't really care for that method of fishing (a little side-by-side testing has shown that I can cast just as far with a regular 9' fly rod as a two-hander). Rather than having another unused arrow in my quiver, I'm now kicking around the idea of using the blank for a float rod, and I'm wondering if anyone has done this. Also, if anyone has decent recommendations for guides and spacing, please let me know - thanks and tight lines!