Castaway Rod Build

[Jrob78]

Thought I would post some pics of my latest build. It's a micro guide rod built on a 7'6" HF Castaway XP3 BB1 (Big Show) blank. I plan to use this rod for c-rigs, heavy t-rigs, some jigs and flipping/pitching.

I used a Fuji ECS reel seat and American Tackle Nanolite size 3 micro guides. I did epoxy ramps instead of winding checks and used flocked rubber shrink tube like the BPS Carbonlite rods use. It is a thin rubber that heat shrinks over eva or cork. I've decided to use cork from here on out, it's more expensive but I think I like it better. I also included a pic of a guide next to a standard Fuji size 6 guide for comparison.

This rod weighs 5.4 oz and balances an inch in front of the reel seat. Sensitivity is really good and the action is very crisp. I caught a nice 2 lber on the second cast with this rod. It is a pleasure to fish and will sling a 1/2 oz jig a mile!