Setting up to hopefully get some time to kayak off the beach this summer to troll for kings and jacks.
During the summer dog days here, the flats are just about unbearable, and the Gulf calms down nicely, and of course always makes a breeze.
Two rods, one e-glass trolling with 400 yds 30-lb


the second is a 20-lb (400 yds) jigging rod, also to use for back-up trolling, casting and jigging
The one I picked is MH rated 15-40 lb test, and 1-4-oz lures

It's a nice spiral wrap rod, with the guides ending underneath the rod tip.
The power, line weight and price came in just right on this rod, but it has an EVA butt cap where I need a gimbal. This so the reel will stay upright with the rod in the gimbal on a Scotty rocket launcher, and the guides will also be oriented to keep the braid off the bent rod blank.
Same maker sells a rod, not quite as good line weight, a little lighter power, that comes with a gimbal cap, but it's also twice the price. I thought about spending more, but this is really the rod I want - I can do the gimbal...


There aren't too many gimbal options out there for a half-inch rod butt, especially in stock.
The closest I found was 5/8" I.D. (16mm), so I bought a foot of Delrin bushing stock that makes the perfect shim, glued the gimbal cap to it, cut it to length and dressed it for my rod.

Bought a spare gimbal cap in case I muffed up the first one.
I also wanted to keep this pretty red ring

All that's left is casting the rod bond. It's not going to be perfect, but will do exactly what I need.

That oughtta work! Good job.

Happy with the result, looks like it's meant to be here


and here's the point, reels up, rods easy to get to
the rocket launchers will also be adjusted up about 20-degrees - they're in garage position now

Thanks

thanks, when I tested it, it was a lot tougher, including the joint surfaces, than any other epoxy I've ever tried.
Of course I've had it around forever.
Was also happy how well it stuck to the smooth delrin bushing surface.

Last touch here, dropped the steel Tica power handle, which weighs as much as the reel, with a weightless carbon power handle.
This is now a super-light rig for its power.