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Rod Design - Saltwater Rods

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Any special considerations needed when building a rod for use in salt water (obviously components, but what about varnish)?  (Louis DeVos)

Most any marine spar should work fine.  Just be sure to wipe down with fresh water after use.  (After all, it's designed for use on boats.)  (Neil Savage)

If it's to be a bamboo rod, it might be wise to consider 'double built' or even 'triple built" ~ Lots of Fun??  (Vince Brannick)

Speaking of saltwater rods, might any of you have experience with offshore rods for blue water?  Not flyrods, but those which are suitable for a #1 Uni-butt of .750"?  Someone challenged me to build one, and I'm in the brainstorming phases.  (Harry Boyd)

Check Herters book on bamboo rod making, if my old memory serves me right he had tapers for salt water rods. World famous you know.  (Chuck Irvine)

Back in the day, on an ocean far far away, tuna boats used bamboo poles - not rods, poles!  Just find a good stand of bamboo, cut down a nice straight culm, mount your butt, and a HEAVY line on the tip.  I'm serious about this!  That being said, I do have the tip section of a two piece rod that was in my grandfather's garage - no idea where the butt section disappeared to - and the male ferrule must be at least 1" diameter.  It's a hex rod and is still in very good shape.  If you would like the measurements from the tip I'd be happy to send them to you.  This baby was most definitely a blue water rod.  (Tom Key)

I have an old video of Tuna boats using bamboo poles. The fishermen would stand in racks hanging on the outside of the boat. They would use "flies" made of chicken feathers. Smack the water with their fly and hang on! Then they pull the fish right out of the water and swing it overhead and onto the boat. When they got into a big school (200+ pounders) they would have two or even three guys, each with a pole tied to just one hook. Unbelievable footage! I did A LOT of standup tuna fishing and other big game fishing when I was stationed in San Diego but nothing compared to what those commercial fisherman used to do.

P.S. I have made a few saltwater fly rods and did nothing special other than use solid titanium hardware for everything from reel seat to guides($$$).

Harry, I know I have some big water rod tapers somewhere, I'll post them when (and if) I can find them.  (Jeff Fultz)

Years ago Luis gave me a bamboo tuna rod . .  it was supposedly one of the very first rods ever made from Tonkin . . the tip is about 1/2" and the butt is a bit over 1" and it is about 5' 6" . .  but consider this . .  at one point in time . .  there was ONLY bamboo . .  (Wayne Cattanach)

I have a couple of old rods which may fit the bill. First is about a 6' rod with a tip top and two guides, turned wooden handle (with ribs) and a red ball on the butt. Measures about .300-.325 at the tip and .650 just ahead of the grip. Also have a Heddon #45 7' H rod. Similar in diameter to the one above, nice walnut or mahogany (I think) handle with designs carved in it. Got an old Penn level wind reel on it too. Measurements are similar to the other rod above although a little longer. A neighbor gave it to me as he was moving away. Called me into the garage and opened a homemade but fancy clamshell plywood case and told me to take my pick. Said they were his late uncle's  from the 30's. Not quite Pandora's box but it was impressive. I was disappointed though that none of them were fly rods. All were deep sea rods, fished primarily out of Florida, but all over the world.

I would be happy to send pictures and measurements if you like.

I also gave away what I always assumed was one of those tuna rods mentioned in other replies. Had to be an inch in diameter at the bottom ferrule, which was located just at the end of the grip. Just couldn't see doing anything with it as the handle section was missing. My landlord at the office assured me that he could not accept it as a gift so I informed him as to which dumpster it would be in at what time. Darn thing disappeared from the dumpster within 3-4 minutes of deposit. Go figure!  (Steve Shelton)

Just a thought for those that would like to do something with those old rods but can't figure out what. They can be turned into nice bamboo wading staffs without a whole lot of work.  (Will Price)