HighHook4Hire
New Angler
If you own a CTS rod (or 17) tell us about it. Let us know which blank and your own personal experiences (good or bad). Looking for first hand info regarding CTS blanks and their best uses/limitations.
CTS Rod Owners
- Thread starter HighHook4Hire
- Start date
Maybe some finished examples by custom builders?
movetheboat
Well-Known Angler
captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Personally I own 3 CTS Blanks all built for me by Capt. Neil. Two are 6'6" long, a CN 702 and a BS 703. I alos have a BS704 that is 7' long. I absolutely love all three of these rods for their incrdieble sensitivity, strength , and extremely light weight.
The CN 702 is my Fluke bucktailing stick and will easily handle up to 4 oz. jigs. Over the years I have taken 3 DD Fluke on that rod and it never even broke a sweat. It is paired with a Shimano Chronarch low profile baitcaster carrying 20#
Suffix braid.
The BS 703 was built primarily as a Tog stick for conventional bait rig fishing and is paired with an Avet SX 5.3 loaded with 30# Suffix braid. I fish the North Fork with our traditionally swift current and the need for a lot of lead. Even with it's light and sensitive tip I can carry up to 12 oz. of lead on this stick and it handles it quite well. I have taken Tog up to 10.5# on this set up and, once again, it was more than up to the task. Because I also drift very deep spots, up to 140' at times, in the middle of the Sound for Sea Bass and need a lot of lead in that application this rod also does a great job on the big knotheads.
The BS704 was built for mainly Striped Bass fishing in the Gut and the Race where, once again we have to deal with wicked current, deep water, and lead upwards of 16 oz. while 3 way bucktailing. I have this rod matched with an Avet MXL loaded with 40# Suffix braid. I have taken Bass up to 35# on this outfit and I am continually amazed at how a rod with such a sensitive tip handles the super heavy lead. On occasion I also use this rod for Cod fishing.
I think you can tell I am a big CTS fan. Yes, they are a bit more expensive than some other blanks but I think the performance/value ratio is definitely there. They really spoil me when it comes to using some of my other nice custom rods.
The CN 702 is my Fluke bucktailing stick and will easily handle up to 4 oz. jigs. Over the years I have taken 3 DD Fluke on that rod and it never even broke a sweat. It is paired with a Shimano Chronarch low profile baitcaster carrying 20#
Suffix braid.
The BS 703 was built primarily as a Tog stick for conventional bait rig fishing and is paired with an Avet SX 5.3 loaded with 30# Suffix braid. I fish the North Fork with our traditionally swift current and the need for a lot of lead. Even with it's light and sensitive tip I can carry up to 12 oz. of lead on this stick and it handles it quite well. I have taken Tog up to 10.5# on this set up and, once again, it was more than up to the task. Because I also drift very deep spots, up to 140' at times, in the middle of the Sound for Sea Bass and need a lot of lead in that application this rod also does a great job on the big knotheads.
The BS704 was built for mainly Striped Bass fishing in the Gut and the Race where, once again we have to deal with wicked current, deep water, and lead upwards of 16 oz. while 3 way bucktailing. I have this rod matched with an Avet MXL loaded with 40# Suffix braid. I have taken Bass up to 35# on this outfit and I am continually amazed at how a rod with such a sensitive tip handles the super heavy lead. On occasion I also use this rod for Cod fishing.
I think you can tell I am a big CTS fan. Yes, they are a bit more expensive than some other blanks but I think the performance/value ratio is definitely there. They really spoil me when it comes to using some of my other nice custom rods.
captmike28
Well-Known Angler
As a follow up to my last post and the other thread I noticed on Lep's forum I want to address the concerns some folks have with the BS/CN series of CTS rods.
I too have heard the stories about some of these blanks blowing up. I am not a custom builder nor do I claim to have the experience that many of these fine craftsman posses. All I can tell you is that personally I have owned and heavily used all 3 of my CTS rods anywhere from 5-10+ years without a single failure. It is true I am very careful with my own tackle and maybe "baby" it more than others and perhaps that is the reason.
In at least 2 of the stories I heard regarding breakages with these rods, the anglers were swinging their fish aboard or "high sticking". With rare exceptions, I try hard not to "high stick" any rod and always land my catch either by grabbing the leader or using a net/gaff. Frankly speaking, if you want a meat stick you can beat to death then get an "Ugly Stick". They work fine for my charter customers and never had one of those break.
I also suspect some of the failures could be tied to "operator error" or just plain accidents. If you smack your blank against a hard top while aggressively setting the hook or bang it against the side of your boat it is possible to "score" and weaken the blank.
I have not yet had the pleasure of trying any of the BJ series rods. However, in my own experience I have not had any problems with the BS/CN blanks from CTS.
I too have heard the stories about some of these blanks blowing up. I am not a custom builder nor do I claim to have the experience that many of these fine craftsman posses. All I can tell you is that personally I have owned and heavily used all 3 of my CTS rods anywhere from 5-10+ years without a single failure. It is true I am very careful with my own tackle and maybe "baby" it more than others and perhaps that is the reason.
In at least 2 of the stories I heard regarding breakages with these rods, the anglers were swinging their fish aboard or "high sticking". With rare exceptions, I try hard not to "high stick" any rod and always land my catch either by grabbing the leader or using a net/gaff. Frankly speaking, if you want a meat stick you can beat to death then get an "Ugly Stick". They work fine for my charter customers and never had one of those break.
I also suspect some of the failures could be tied to "operator error" or just plain accidents. If you smack your blank against a hard top while aggressively setting the hook or bang it against the side of your boat it is possible to "score" and weaken the blank.
I have not yet had the pleasure of trying any of the BJ series rods. However, in my own experience I have not had any problems with the BS/CN blanks from CTS.
Here is my understanding and take on this "CTS blanks break deal" - There were some issues with the CN (BSM) blanks initially, and CTS made good on replacing those blanks with their redesigned versions. I haven't heard of any further problems with the later version. And I know of PLENTY of CTS users out there.
So we're all on the same page, here's some "history," for your consideration - The BSM rods came about because Capt. Neil had asked CTS for a blank more moderate in action than the BS series that were selling very well at the time. CTS complied and sent over the first batch to Neil. Because there was no official model number on those blanks at the time, Neil went ahead and labeled them the "CN" series.
He did build on that batch and a seriously disquieting number of them failed, some quickly and some after a season of use. The breaks were consistently 14” down from the tip, so clearly there was something not quite right going on there. Neil got on the phone with CTS, explained the situation and CTS agreed to replace the original blanks that broke with updated versions, with more reinforcement at the critical point. Apparently it worked like a charm and those second-run blanks have lived a long, happy life. Capt. Mike is the owner of one of those second-gen CNs. He certainly has put that CN blank thru its paces and has caught MANY outsized fish on it, on his boat and mine.
Anyway, CTS liked these Capt. Neil-requested, more moderate "BS-style" blanks so much that they began offering them to everyone else, as their "BSM" series. I do not know if they still carry them in their production blank inventory, but they do offer the BJ series, which are even more moderate than the BSMs were.
The BJ (Bay Jigging) series is very nice, quite moderate, but not as slow as a true "Slow Pitch" blank would be. And that's another subject, because there's all sorts of "Slow Pitch" rods out there, some moderate and some quite slow. And some even in-between, just to add to the confusion.
Staying with CTS for the purposes of this post, they also offer their version of a slow pitch blank, called the "SD" series, which acronym is a mystery to me. In any case, my good friend Billy, "BillyPro" on some of the fishing boards, had Ray's Customs in Miami make up his CTS SD-250gram slow pitch stick for fluking - and its a damn beauty. Not only physically, but also in its gorgeous deep bend when cranking on a biggie.
The SD series is considerably slower than the BJ blanks, but still offer good horsepower in the lower half of the blank - sort of like how a Jigging World Silver Bullet bends, if you've ever seen one of those under load. I wish I could pull the video from his FB page, but there's one out there of him cranking on what turned out to be an 11lb fish (Nantucket - where else?). The rod exhibits a deep, beautiful bend that can really cushion the head shakes of a brute, without being a "marshmellow" blank.
In my own case, as I've written before, I own a BS702, 703 and 704, plus a BJ702 - all wrapped by Capt. Neil, who is no longer "in da biz," as the saying goes. All quite beautifully done, and I expect all will live a long, happy life.
So we're all on the same page, here's some "history," for your consideration - The BSM rods came about because Capt. Neil had asked CTS for a blank more moderate in action than the BS series that were selling very well at the time. CTS complied and sent over the first batch to Neil. Because there was no official model number on those blanks at the time, Neil went ahead and labeled them the "CN" series.
He did build on that batch and a seriously disquieting number of them failed, some quickly and some after a season of use. The breaks were consistently 14” down from the tip, so clearly there was something not quite right going on there. Neil got on the phone with CTS, explained the situation and CTS agreed to replace the original blanks that broke with updated versions, with more reinforcement at the critical point. Apparently it worked like a charm and those second-run blanks have lived a long, happy life. Capt. Mike is the owner of one of those second-gen CNs. He certainly has put that CN blank thru its paces and has caught MANY outsized fish on it, on his boat and mine.
Anyway, CTS liked these Capt. Neil-requested, more moderate "BS-style" blanks so much that they began offering them to everyone else, as their "BSM" series. I do not know if they still carry them in their production blank inventory, but they do offer the BJ series, which are even more moderate than the BSMs were.
The BJ (Bay Jigging) series is very nice, quite moderate, but not as slow as a true "Slow Pitch" blank would be. And that's another subject, because there's all sorts of "Slow Pitch" rods out there, some moderate and some quite slow. And some even in-between, just to add to the confusion.
Staying with CTS for the purposes of this post, they also offer their version of a slow pitch blank, called the "SD" series, which acronym is a mystery to me. In any case, my good friend Billy, "BillyPro" on some of the fishing boards, had Ray's Customs in Miami make up his CTS SD-250gram slow pitch stick for fluking - and its a damn beauty. Not only physically, but also in its gorgeous deep bend when cranking on a biggie.
The SD series is considerably slower than the BJ blanks, but still offer good horsepower in the lower half of the blank - sort of like how a Jigging World Silver Bullet bends, if you've ever seen one of those under load. I wish I could pull the video from his FB page, but there's one out there of him cranking on what turned out to be an 11lb fish (Nantucket - where else?). The rod exhibits a deep, beautiful bend that can really cushion the head shakes of a brute, without being a "marshmellow" blank.
In my own case, as I've written before, I own a BS702, 703 and 704, plus a BJ702 - all wrapped by Capt. Neil, who is no longer "in da biz," as the saying goes. All quite beautifully done, and I expect all will live a long, happy life.
As I stated in the lighter tog set up thread. I have the BJ700 and 701. Nice blanks but not my favorite. For fluking I like the phenix blanks and my hydra better. I just think the other 2 are a more sensitive blank. I use the 700 for jigging up to 4oz. Use the 701 more for a chicken rig when I get over 5oz really no fun to me sitting with a 6 or 7 oz bucktails . For fluking purposes I like the 701.
As for tog both nice with 700 up to 3 or 4 oz and 701 is a solid 5-8 oz rod. Like both with their moderate action to absorb those runs some of the bigger fish take. However, I go to my UC Ar700xl 1st for up to 5oz and when need more go to the UC 70xl over that. Just think both those UC blanks are a bit more sensitive.
Just my thoughts on the blanks I have made. Of course this is all personal preference so when your at the Edison try to check them all out . Not sure where you live I'm in Port Jefferson if your nearby and want to see how any of these build out let me know have them all with reels on and line a set up.
As for tog both nice with 700 up to 3 or 4 oz and 701 is a solid 5-8 oz rod. Like both with their moderate action to absorb those runs some of the bigger fish take. However, I go to my UC Ar700xl 1st for up to 5oz and when need more go to the UC 70xl over that. Just think both those UC blanks are a bit more sensitive.
Just my thoughts on the blanks I have made. Of course this is all personal preference so when your at the Edison try to check them all out . Not sure where you live I'm in Port Jefferson if your nearby and want to see how any of these build out let me know have them all with reels on and line a set up.
Have a CTS SBD 700, I got it from Capt Rich on NYAngler, 1-4 oz bucktails no problem which covers most of my local fishing needs. I got my first DD fluke on it this past season and multiple bass north of 20lbs diamond jigging and handled them all easily. Looking to get a 701 for Montauk and deeper current fishing just need to save some funds after purchasing my first house. Definitely a CTS customer for life.
"Definitely a CTS customer for life."
So BillyPro reached out to me with a movie of his CTS SD250g in action, plus a few shots of other behemoths he's boated on it. This one is 10.4lbs. Note the deep, beautiful flex in that blank. Jeez, really nice! There's enough res here to "full page" it:
Another biggie, this one is right around 10lbs, same stick:
This one was 11.5lbs, also on the CTS SD. Billy knows where/when to fish, that's fo' sho'!:
This one was 11.5lbs, also on the CTS SD. Billy knows where/when to fish, that's fo' sho'!:
HighHook4Hire
New Angler
Thanks everyone! This is what I exactly what I was hoping for. Real life experiences with these blanks from rod owners to try to learn more about these rather scarce resources and also try to determine whether blank failure was a more common occurrence than my own research had found. I would imagine that user error can easily be a common factor in breakages, as stated. Let me test the limits of my sweet new rod with 32oz even though it is rated for 4 and yes also the dreaded high stick. I once broke the unbreakable Lami Tri-flex BL7030C in my more uneducated years. Half of that rod can be found somewhere on Sea Girt reef in NJ to this day. ?
It can be pretty damn difficult to find specific info on blanks and blank manufacturers, so as I go down the rabbit hole I want to try to make informed decisions with my precious disposable income.
Lep, the SD is titled small diameter jigging blank on the website. Just so you can close that case file and rest easy.
Keep em coming folks!
It can be pretty damn difficult to find specific info on blanks and blank manufacturers, so as I go down the rabbit hole I want to try to make informed decisions with my precious disposable income.
Lep, the SD is titled small diameter jigging blank on the website. Just so you can close that case file and rest easy.
Keep em coming folks!
HighHook4Hire
New Angler
Has anyone ever seen or used a CTS spinning rod?
Just making sure I am not trying to put a square peg in a round hole here.
Just making sure I am not trying to put a square peg in a round hole here.
Capt Richie
Well-Known Angler
My take on CTS..First off all blank break..some more than others & its doesn't always make them a bad or good blank..
I must have bought an easy 150 cts blanks built about 75% of them .BS . BSM , ES , SBD , BJ , ER & a few of the surf & Tuna blanks..
I have had problems with the BS & BSM blanks ..about a 25% breakage for me that way to high & I dont want rods coming back..As I stated in the other thread..I has a redesign in the works for the BSM .idk may still do it at a later date ..even got CTS to almost admit that there is a problem with that line..BSM are a mod/fast action blank really nice ..BS a fast action more in line with a calstar GF action ..but a very different blank than calstar
The ES line fresh water blanks had a few brought to me as bay fluke jiggers ..everyone broke the end..
SBD are parabolic blanks ..hard tips good strong back bone dont lay over or bottom out the way other parabolic blanks do..I do like them a lot zero breakage
ER are their slow pitch blanks sold as 6'6" on the site...I did a redesign & added two new blanks to the line ..CTS does not offer them on the site...soft parabolic blanks very old school glass like ..great for jigging & the pin hookers love them as they put little stress on the fish..zero breakage
BJ have build more BJ's than any other line...again have done a few redesigned about seven in total...A moderate action thin very powerful blank..For east coast fishing the best blank they make..
I have had only one break & from what I can tell you ..A rolling flaw .but for the amt of BJ I have built thats nothing..
CTS in general is a ultra high end blank.. Ultra sensitive , super strong & rolled to the highest standard in the Ind...please visit their website & view the building process..and as far as I know they are the only blank company that does it..
lastly I have yet to meet a blank Mfg or a rod builder that will amit on any website that they have a breakage problem..with what the Mfg or build on...always hear angler error BS... Im fishing a long time & have seen anglers do everything to a rod & when it breaks you hear " what a POS " ..But knowing this you need to build to
suit ..not just build to sell.
for what thing cost today CTS at my prices are not that bad..yes more than a phenix & UC but worth it IMO ..If you love this sport & want the very best check them out..
I must have bought an easy 150 cts blanks built about 75% of them .BS . BSM , ES , SBD , BJ , ER & a few of the surf & Tuna blanks..
I have had problems with the BS & BSM blanks ..about a 25% breakage for me that way to high & I dont want rods coming back..As I stated in the other thread..I has a redesign in the works for the BSM .idk may still do it at a later date ..even got CTS to almost admit that there is a problem with that line..BSM are a mod/fast action blank really nice ..BS a fast action more in line with a calstar GF action ..but a very different blank than calstar
The ES line fresh water blanks had a few brought to me as bay fluke jiggers ..everyone broke the end..
SBD are parabolic blanks ..hard tips good strong back bone dont lay over or bottom out the way other parabolic blanks do..I do like them a lot zero breakage
ER are their slow pitch blanks sold as 6'6" on the site...I did a redesign & added two new blanks to the line ..CTS does not offer them on the site...soft parabolic blanks very old school glass like ..great for jigging & the pin hookers love them as they put little stress on the fish..zero breakage
BJ have build more BJ's than any other line...again have done a few redesigned about seven in total...A moderate action thin very powerful blank..For east coast fishing the best blank they make..
I have had only one break & from what I can tell you ..A rolling flaw .but for the amt of BJ I have built thats nothing..
CTS in general is a ultra high end blank.. Ultra sensitive , super strong & rolled to the highest standard in the Ind...please visit their website & view the building process..and as far as I know they are the only blank company that does it..
lastly I have yet to meet a blank Mfg or a rod builder that will amit on any website that they have a breakage problem..with what the Mfg or build on...always hear angler error BS... Im fishing a long time & have seen anglers do everything to a rod & when it breaks you hear " what a POS " ..But knowing this you need to build to
suit ..not just build to sell.
for what thing cost today CTS at my prices are not that bad..yes more than a phenix & UC but worth it IMO ..If you love this sport & want the very best check them out..
Capt Richie
Well-Known Angler
IMO the rod is much more important that the reel..I see big money reels on cheap rods ..dont understand it..I fish cheap reels on great rods ...not the norm i know..
for those who do just got a email from rodgeeks having a sale $ 30 & $40 dollar blank for sale...
for those who do just got a email from rodgeeks having a sale $ 30 & $40 dollar blank for sale...
HH4H - Here's a movie of Billy's slick CTS ES664 spinning stick, again built by Rays Customs in Miami. As nice as it gets! He built it for medium-duty tog jigging and fluke jigs to 3oz. And check out that smokin' Daiwa Certate, what a sweet combo! Again, enough res to full screen it. Take a gander:
And a nice Rhode Island fattie taken on Billy's Blue Beauty:
HighHook4Hire
New Angler
That is a beautiful looking rod!
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