Thread: questions on getting new king rod (k-series guide question)

going to get a new king rod built and want some suggestions on what blank i should use i want it for live bait and snobling would like some suggestions on blanks
i would like to put the k-series guides on it but dont know the difference between all the different kinds

Mud Hole -- FUJI® Spin/Cast Guides & Tops

will appreciate any info

What's your price range for the blank? Here are a few of my favorites to work with.

Low end Gator Blanks BS596

Mid Batson SWB80ML

Higher Batson SW967

well the most i want to spend over all is under 400 if thats enough
(blank, guides, raps, real seat everything)

Suggest you go by J&M and look at the ones John had made over the winter. Posted by JohnG back in early March:

Re: Help with rod choice

We also have a new production king rod.Most of you know my favorite blank is a Lamiglas MB114F, so back in the fall I built one up that was 8'3" and sent it to the factory in China that does our Gulf Stream series of offshore rods.Well they came in last week and all I can say there is not another mass produced specialty pier rod that compares to it in quality,action and cosmetics.This rod sells for $160.The Batson blanks that be build in house come in three line weights,light,medium light,and a medium heavy witch is a nice 8' cobia rod.These rods are priced at 145 and $175 depending on cosmetics.We should have plenty of the China rods to last us the year and we are down to about 50 of the Batsons and have no plans to build anymore for stock until things slow down next winter.

^^^ are you talking about rods already built?

Yes. There is a pic on here somewhere from about the same time frame. I'll post a link if I can find it. I have one and love the way it fishes. Good looking too. Slings the snot out of a cig.

Edited to add:

Was on this link but apparently didnt' make the trip over. Maybe one of the mods can fix it.

Help with rod choice

Here are the pictures from the post DD provided a link to.

does J&M have just the blank because id like to get one custom

That you'd have to talk to JohnG about. Lots of options for custom, though.

The blank for the GulfStream king rod is Chinese-made and are only available as finished products. However, this blank was patterned after a commercially available blank, perhaps a Lamiglas if memory serves, but John G would have to confirm that. John is the expert on custom rods. I have a custom that he built in 1988 built on a Sabre blank. I have caught so many fish on it. It has been re-wrapped about three times. John builds a fine rod because he is a fisherman himself. Get in touch with him.