Rob & anyone with an opinion ;-)

What would you guys think about a G Loomis Saltwater series rod (model SWR90-25C)? Specs are 7'6", rated for 25lb line, and lures from 1-4 oz. If you would like further details I have the link below.
http://gloomis.com/cat_ch28.htm

I'm thinking of actually building it myself and if you guys think it would be appropriate do you have any suggestions on how many guides, what type, handle length, etc? Also, how big of a plug would you think it could handle? Could it throw the 12" plugs?

Anyway, thanks for your opinion!

Samurai TI

Team Boca Bearings - www.bocabearings.com
Smelly Jelly
Paycheck Baits - http://www.paycheckbaits.com/
Big Bear Fishing Rods - http://www.bigbearfishingrods.com
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/toddiwamoto.htm
www.geemoto.com

Samurai,
I think Rob uses a Calstar 900L or somethin like that, maybe 900M, I forget. I would go with a little longer rod. 8 ft. would give you more control of the fish once you hook it (so he doesn't run your plug into the bushes), plus it'll probably handle the big plugs and heavy line better. Look into the Calstar graphiter series 800L or 800M (sorry, don't have the specs, so you'll have to look at em). As for swimbaits... For saltwater style swimbaits, the Calstar 900XL is the shiznit rod, but I don't think that applies to the giant swimbaits, like the big optimums which you're probably referring to. You could probably use the same stick for trouts and swimbaits. Rob- you ever consider going to 40# on the 12" plug? That thing is freakin beefy. If Mike's gonna have those new ones out pretty soon though, they might be a little more manageable. It might be time for the aftco aluminum gimbal and reelseat, har har. j/k, I don't think you need to go that far. Fuji components would probably be fine. I'd look into the fuji hardloy boat rod guides, fuji SiC heavy duty casting and boat guides, or maybe the new alconite guides, but I don't know anything about em. You could probably use a cork handle if you could get one wide enough, or you want to go through the ordeal of drilling it wider, if not, I'd suggest cork tape over hypalon or EVA, but that's more of personal preference. Give yourself a healthy rear grip, so you've got somethin to work with on those two handed casts with the big plugs, hehe.
-Brian

This is the rod I am having built right now.

Blank: Calsar 800L - butt section cut if need be to make sure the rod is less than 8 feet total length.
Handle: Black 14" hypalon (EVA) on lower grip. Black 5" hypalon (EVA) on upper grip
Reel Seat: Black trigger reel seat, something like Fuji DTPSM model.
Wraps: All black wraps and underwraps. 2" straight black wrap right above upper grip.
Guides: Guides something like Fuji BNLG or BLNAG guides. Basically a three foot casting guide all the way up.

That's the spec exactly as I sent it to my main man Pete Skarda over at Wilderness Outfitters =) I went with the 800L blank but I think the 800XL would be ok too, I just really wanted something that could chuck a 12 inch plug. That loomis you mention sounds good but I would always be thinking longer is better. I throw my plugs usually on a 9 foot 2 inch Sabre 190-9 an old school saltwater blank...
Well, I'm looking forward to getting the new rod in the next few weeks, I'll put a post when I try it out.

-Rob

Brian and Rob for the great advice. Wondering - how much do the Calstar blanks run?

Samurai TI

Team Boca Bearings - www.bocabearings.com
Smelly Jelly
Paycheck Baits - http://www.paycheckbaits.com/
Big Bear Fishing Rods - http://www.bigbearfishingrods.com
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/toddiwamoto.htm
www.geemoto.com

70-90 bucks for the graphiters. Less for the glass blanks.