Blank Question??

[Sarge]

I'm new to saltwater angling, been building freshwater rods for several years. I'm shopping for some 130 to unlimited class blanks and am not in a position to put my hands on them prior to purchase. Can someone please try to explain what kind of action is the I.F.G.A. action as opposed to fast, 2x fast, moderate,etc. in any given blank? Thanks, Sarge.

[Taz575]

The action give you an idea of how a rod flexes. I have a IGFA 130 blank. It barely flexes when I pull on it. It is made to fish 130# class and the real heavy drags. I find the IGFA action rods are VERY stiff. I use the 80's tip section for planer rods and they will pull over 45# of drag easily and not be flexed much. Generally, fast action means that the upper 1/4-1/3 of the rod flexes easily. Moderate or slow means that half or more of the rod flexes. Some Fast action rods "shut off" and stop bending, where others keep flexing all the way into the foregrip.

I have found that some rods are listed as 2X fast, but still bend down into the rod with a moderate amount of pressure.

Also, standup vs using a chair will make a huge difference in the blanks you will want to use! Chair rods are often longer and stiffer, stand ups are shorted and more flexible.

What type of fish are you going after, standup vs chair fighting, reel selection, etc??

[FAT CAT MX]

The I.G.F.A. blanks are designed for use in a fighting chair. They have a stuff action in order to keep the line from contact with the boat during the fight. If you don't have a fighting chair on your boat you will not be happy with this type of rod. If you're fishing stand-up or you have a small "fishing chair" you'd be better of with a fast action blank.

[Sarge]

Thanks for the feedback. That is what I suspected on the action. It is for stand up with harness. Any thoughts on the Baja Boomer?

[clt_capt]

Calstar makes some really nice standup blanks - See if you see what you are looking for here - http://www.calstarrods.com/grafblanks.htm

[paul708]

boomer is a cheap bullit proof blank,
pretty stiff,
great for bigger fish.

[rarhomes]

From Brims to Blue Marlin

You better go visit Biscayne Rod.

Capt Rick

[Taz575]

I built up a Calstar 655Xh and XXH for standup rods. I prefer the XXH; the XH flexes too far into the foregrip for my tastes. Then I got a Seeker Long Range Stand Up Fast Action, XXH 50-130. Nice and flexy tip, shuts off right before the foregrip, 35-40# of drag no problem! My new standard tuna blank! Boomers seemed very similar to the 655 series when I got a pull on them a little. It was just a quick look at them, so I may have been pulling on the lightest one, but I didn't see much difference between the other Calstars I used. I prefer the rod to shut off before the foregrip at 25# of drag. The Seeker is much heavier though! I am getting an Avet 30W for the Calstar, and using my 50W Avet with 130# hollow on the Seeker. Both are very nice blanks, it just depends on what you like! The nice thing is factory rods are available from Calstar and Seeker, find a store that has them and pull on them to find the blank/action you want!

Calstar 655XH 40-100 on top, Seeker STSF55XXH 80-130 on the bottom.