Rod Building Recipes

By Ian Miller

We have reproduced here Rod Building recipes recommended by Australia's premier rod builder Ian Miller and as featured in "The Australian Rod Crafter" a publication of "Modern Fishing".

ULTRA LIGHT ESTUARY / SPIN
Description: A threadline (spinning reel) rod made from a sturdy graphite blank and suited to casting light and unweighted baits or lures up to 10gm. Line strengths from 1 to 2 kg. Ideal for bream, whiting, flathead, bass, trout, redfin, etc.
Blank: Speed Samurai SS001
Butt Set-Up: Single handed. Two Duralon or cork grips of 15cm each, lightweight DPS-17 reel seat and butt cap.
Guides: BLVLG or BLVOG 20, 12, 8, 6, 6, 6. BPLT or BPOT 6/1.8mm tip.
Spacings: TIP - 100, 125, 170, 200, 245, 285mm

LIGHT ESTUARY / LAKE SPIN
Description: Two piece, 2.13m graphite spinning rod. Casts 5 to 15 gms and fishes 2 to 4 kg line. Good for long distance casting lures for big flathead, on tropical sand flats or freshwater lakes.
Blank: Speed Samurai SS007
Butt Set-Up: Butt cap, 18mm rear grip (Duralon or cork), DPS-18 reel seat, 10cm foregrip.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 25, 16; BLVLG or BLVOG 10, 8, 7, 7, 7. BPLT or BPOT 6/1.8mm tip.
Spacings: TIP - 95, 125, 150, 175, 200, 235, 295mm

LIGHT BAITCASTER - GRAPHITE
Description: A one piece, 1.8m baitcaster which will handle 7 to 20 gm lures and 2 to 4 kg line. Ideal for bass, golden perch, flathead, sooties, etc.
Blank: ATS Flame Wrap FW4
Cutting: 50mm only, from butt.
Butt Set-Up: Single-handed, straight. BCBRC 19mm, 125mm rear grip (Duralon or cork), DTPS-16, 60mm foregrip.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 12, 10; BLVLG 10, 8, 7, 7, 7. BPLT or BPOT 6/2.2 tip.
Spacings: TIP - 100, 100, 100, 105, 115, 140, 190, 240mm

BAITCASTER - GRAPHITE
Description: Similar to above but slightly longer (1.83m) and heavier. Handles 8 to 20 gm and 3 - 5 kg line. Suitable for larger lake dwellers such as golden perch, murry cod, big sooties, and mid range barra, trevally etc.
Blank: Speed Sumauri SS004
Butt Set-Up: Single / double - handed straight butt. BCBRC 19mm but cap, 20cm rear grip, DTPS -16 real seat, 10cm foregrip.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 16, 12, 10, 8, 7, 7, 7. BPLT or BPOT 6/1.8mm tip
Spacings: Tip - 90, 105, 115, 125, 140, 175, 220mm

MEDIUM / HEAVY BAITCASTER - GRAPHITE
Description: A sturdy, all - round tropical estuary baitcaster. Suits casting weights of 12 to 28 gm and 5 to 6 kg line. Ideal for barra, jacks, cod, threadfin, etc.
Blank: Speed Samurai SS008
Butt Set-Up: Single / double - handed straight butt. BCBRC 19mm but cap, 20cm rear grip, DTPS - 16 reel seat, 10cm foregrip.
Guides: BNLG or BNOG 16, 12, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 8. BPLT or BPOT 8/2.4mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 140, 160, 190mm

MEDIUM PLUGCASTER - GRAPHITE
Description: A medium range rod for a Varity of sportfishing applications. Suits 15 - 45 gms and 4 to 8 kg line. For casting lures to salmon, tailor, small tuna species, kingfish, trevally, queenfish, etc.
Blank: G.Loomis MB844 GL2
Butt Set-Up: Double-handed. A BCBRC 19mm butt cap, 30cm rear grip (Duralon), DTPS-18 trigger reel seat, 20cm foregrip.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 20, 16, 12, 10, 8, 7, 7, 7. PST 8/2.4mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 80, 100, 110, 120, 135, 160, 190, 230mm

HEAVY, ONE PIECE PLUGCASTER
Description: A straight-butted plug rod for 20 to 60gm and 6 to 10kg line. Perfect for casting long distances to queenfish, small to medium tuna, kingfish, etc.
Blank: Composite Developments Albagraph 8.
Butt Set-Up: Double-handed. A BCBRC 19mm butt cap, 30cm rear grip (Duralon), DTPS-18 trigger reel seat, 20cm foregrip.
Guides: BNLG or BNOG 25, 20, 16, 12, 10, 10, 10, 10. PST 10/2.8mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 100, 105, 110, 110, 115, 135, 175, 225mm.

HEAVY BLUEWATER THREADLINE
Description: A powerful graphite spin/game rod capable of casting large lures and live-baits, and fishing 10 - 15kg lines. Ideal for large pelagics including kingfish, giant trevally, tuna and smaller billfish.
Blank: Pacific Composites Prograph 7
Butt Set-Up: Double-handed. A BCBRC22 rubber gimbal, 35cm rear grip (Duralon), DPSH-22 reel seat, 25cm 'game' foregrip.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 30H, 25, 16, 12, 10, 10. PST 10/3.0 tip.
Spacings: Tip - 125, 140, 145, 155, 185, 280mm.

LIGHT / MEDIUM OVERHEAD SPIN STICK
Description: A 2.8m overhead spin rod for lure or bait casting at salmon, bonito, small tuna, Spanish mackerel, etc. Suited weights of 25 to 60gms and lines of 5 to 7 kg.
Blank: ATS MT6110
Butt Set-Up: Two 20cm Duralon grips, and DPS-22 reel seat (50-60cm from bottom of reel seat to absolute butt of rod).
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 25, 20, 16, 12, 10, 10, 8, 8. PST 8/2.8mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 115, 130, 137, 159, 178, 235, 273, 425mm.

MEDIUM / HEAVY THREADLINE (Rock & Beach)
Description: A 2pc, 10kg line class, lure and bait-throwing rod for heavy rock and beach work. Ideal for casting at kings, tuna and the like, or baitfishing snapper, drummer and even mulloway. Will cast weights of 30 to 80 gm - plus.
Blank: Pacific Composites FSU4120G - 2
Butt Set-Up: Two 20cm Duralons, DPS - 32 reel seat, and short sand spike. Distance from bottom of reel to butt approx 52cm.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 40H, 30, 20, 12, 8, 8. BPLT or BPOT 8/2.2 tip.
Spacings: Tip - 154, 190, 230, 280, 320, 430mm.

MEDIUM / HEAVY OVERHEAD (Rock & Beach)
Description: Popular all-round overhead spin rod for 10kg line and lure weights of 60-120gm. Can also be used to cast baits as above. If a more powerful blank is required, substitute standard 540.
Blank:Sabre 540L
Butt Set-Up:Short sandspike (optional), two 20cm Duralon grips, DPS - 28 reel seat, approximately 68cm to bottom of reel seat.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 25, 20, 16, 12, 12, 10, 10. PST 10/3.4mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 130, 145, 150, 160, 180, 210, 235, 340mm.

LAND - BASED / LIVE BAIT - MEDIUM
Description: A rod of land - based game fishing with 6 - 10kg line suitable for smaller tuna and kingfish, etc.
Blank: Pacific Composites GB LBJ 6-10
Butt Set-Up: BCGC25S gimbal, 25cm rear grip, DPS-H24 reel seat, 35cm Duralon game foregrip.
Guides: WDBSG 10, 8, 6, 6. DBSG 6, 6. UST 10/3.0mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 100, 110, 115, 170, 215, 300mm.

BLUEWATER JIG / TROLL MEDIUM
Description: Basically a 6-10kg boat rod, this stick can be used for trolling, bottom bouncing and short range casting. A very versatile tool.
Blank: ATS MT70 - 1
Butt Set-Up: BCGC22S gimbal fitting, 25cm rear grip, DPS-H22 reel seat, 35cm Duralon game foregrip.
Guides: WDBSG 10, 8, 6, 6. DBSG 6, 6, 5.5. UST 10/3.0mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 105, 108, 118, 130, 152, 178, 210mm.

BLUEWATER JIG / TROLL HEAVY
Description: Basically a 10-15kg boat rod, this stick can be used for trolling, bottom bouncing and short range casting. A very versatile tool. Suits 15kg line.
Blank: ATS MT70-3L
Butt Set-Up: BCGC22S gimbal fitting, 25cm rear grip, DPS-H22 reel seat, 35cm Duralon game foregrip.
Guides: BLRLG or BLROG 20, 16, 12, 12, 10, 10, 10. UST 10/3.0mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 105, 108, 118, 130, 152, 178, 210mm.

6 - 8KG STAND-UP GAME
Description: A semi-stroker style of rod suitable for 6 to 8kg line. Overall length of 1.85m.
Blank: Pacific Composites Power Butt 3
Butt Set-Up: Aftco G-2 gimbal fitting, 25cm rear grip, DPS-H26 reel seat, 35cm Duralon game foregrip.
Guides: WDBSG 10, 8, 6, 6. DBSG 6, 6. UST 10/3.0mm tip.
Spacings: Tip - 90, 100, 105, 130, 155, 195mm.

LIGHT FLY
Description: A light fly rod suited to #5 lines for stream, river and lake fishing, 2.74m (9ft) long.
Blank: G.Loomis F1085 GL2
Butt Set-Up: Pre-shaped cork foregrip, SKD-16 reel seat.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 12; Seymo single foot snake guides 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2. Can also use Fuji single leg foot LNSG/UNSG guides. Loop tip HHFT 1.6mm.
Spacings: Tip - 160, 170, 180, 190, 205, 225, 280, 315mm.

LIGHT / MEDIUM FLY
Description: A fly rod suited to #7 lines for lake fishing for trout, river bass or light estuary work. 2.74m (9ft) long.
Blank: Sage 790RPL +
Butt Set-Up: Pre-shaped cork foregrip, SKD-16 reel seat.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 16, 12; Seymo single foot snake GUIDES 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3. Can also use Fuji single leg foot LNSG/UNSG guides. Loop tip HHFT 1.8mm.
Spacings: Tip - 150, 155, 185, 195, 210, 225, 280, 310mm.

HEAVY FLY
Description: A heavy fly rod suited to #15 weight lines and capable of tackling large saltwater game fish such as tuna and billfish. 2.74m (9ft) long.
Blank: Pacific Composites Grafty #15 9'
Butt Set-Up: Pre-shaped cork foregrip, cork fighting grip, SKD-17 reel seat, small fighting butt of approx 70mm length.
Guides: BSVLG or BSVOG 25, 16, 12; Seymo single foot snake GUIDES 5, 5, 5, 4, 4. Oversize loop tip HHOSFT 2.6mm.
Spacings: Tip - 135, 150, 180, 220, 220, 280, 325, 360mm.