Well, I finally took her off the turner this morning. Between backordered parts, lack of time, etc. it took a month to get it done.

I didn't get a chance to videotape very much of the rodbuilding. I just don't have the lighting to film in the evening, so it was slowing down the process even more.

Congrats again to Dr. Flathead for winning the 2008 contest, hope this rod catches a lot of fish for you.











The rod is built on a 9-foot Medium/Heavy IM6 graphite Fish Eagle II blank. The rod blank is designed for salmon and steelhead fishing, but I've found it's an excellent rod for heavy sucker and carp fishing, catfish, and gar. It uses black hardalloy guides, graphite and acrylic reel seat, and a combination of high-grade and green burl cork. The butt is a split-grip design which lightens the rod and exposes the blank.

Very nice looking! I cant wait to add it to my arsonol and try it out on some redhorse and cats...Thanks again for taking the time.

Wow what a beauty..9 footer..holy smokes. How much would you charge for one of those bad boys?

I have no idea. I don't make rods to sell. For all the time you have to spend, you'd have to charge more than anyone should ever pay for a fishing rod. Every year I build a few rods for myself, and one or two for gifts, and once a year for the prize for the contest. That's about all I can handle.

Great looking rod Corey, I'm sure Doc will put it to good use. It made me wonder if anyone on here uses a lot of longer rods say between 8'6" and 15'. I find myself fishing a lot of longer rods in the 9-13' range for just about anything that swims in Pennsylvania. I find I can use lighter lines and can finesse the bait better (mostly artifical). Even on really small streams I have no problem with a 9 footer contrary to what a lot of people might say.

About mid July I caught a 39" flathead cat on 4lb test and a 11' float rod fished with a trout magnet. I'll have to get off my lazy azz and post the pics. I estimate the weight to be about 30lbs based on the length and girth. The girth was close to the same as a 38lb flat that went 42" a week before. I felt this was testament to a noodle rod and the likes ability to handle an incredible load on light line. But just because you are using light line doesn't mean you have to fight the fish to exhaustion, you can apply incredible force without the line failing enabling you to fight a fish hard enough that it is not overly stressed. I have a 13 footer I love to use on river Carp with my centerpin. Even with 4-6lb test I can really put the brakes on them when they run for the sunken barges.

Ok, I've carried on too much. Thanks to anyone who actually made it through my entire post without getting bored or quitting half way through.

-Will

I am a huge fan of large rods!

I am currently not buying anything under 7 feet.

I use 9 foot glow rods for my large fish rods helping keep my sinker from snagging also.

Aaron, I was talking about mainly rods rated for 2-6lb, 4-8lb, or 6-10lb. Usally in a light to medium light with a fast or moderate action. Is this what you are refering to? Commonly refered to as noodle rods, float rods, or steelhead rods of the lower line class? The sensitivity is outrageous as well.

-Will

Beautiful rod! Congrats again!

Sweet rod!

I like your style...I'm a split-T, 9 footer guy myself and find these types of rods cover a broad range of fishing situations.

I think the reason more folks don't use these longer blanks is due to price/availability on the factory rod market. However, any DIY'er can build these tools at a functional level and pretty decent price if they care to learn and it's quite fun.

Granted, it's a bit more than a 6' rod build, but there's some really nice flyrod blanks out there at low prices and they excel at free-lining small baits in stillwater. Off bank reach is another benefit of a few extra feet for a shorebound river angler like me.

Corey, you build a much more attractive rod than I ever will...nice attention to detail.

That is a sweet rod, I'm sure that Doc will hook into something big with that...

Now make sure that all of your pictures have that rod in them. Congrats!