Seeker Herc Inshore Light

[Fishscale]

I regretfully let go my Capt Neil custom built inshore light back in the day and would like to have that blank back in the arsenal.

Does anyone know where I can possible locate a true Hercules Seeker inshore light blank to have custom built?

I figured this would be my last hope

 

[OVERBORED]

Checkout the NERBs website. Maybe Billy has a leftover.

 

[Leprechaun]

Hi Kalvin, have you tried calling Seeker direct?

 

[Fishscale]

Checkout the NERBs website. Maybe Billy has a leftover.

I actually thought of him but someone told me he’ll probably just tell me he has it and give me another blank hence the reason why I specified a true Seeker inshore light

 

[Fishscale]

Hi Kalvin, have you tried calling Seeker direct?

Pete my man

I didn’t know that was an option but I’ll reach out to them and get a whole bunch if I can actually

 

[Fishscale]

I’m on with Seeker now and I believe they located the blank. Can anyone confirm if it’s the Hercules GTS 70L ? They are also researching and will call me back to confirm.

 

[Fishscale]

Update they located the blank and was able to order 3 of them to review and build

 

[Leprechaun]

There ya go!

 

[Togilator]

I’m on with Seeker now and I believe they located the blank. Can anyone confirm if it’s the Hercules GTS 70L ? They are also researching and will call me back to confirm.

The new blanks were not like the originals,actions were not the exactly the same.They defenitely changed over the years in my opinion.I thought that was the reason you specified true seeker Herc Light.Not sure you will be happy with what you get.Just something to think about.Good luck with it Kal.

 

[Leprechaun]

Yes, there definitely was a change made to these blanks from the earliest models. I own both a very early model and the later version. My understanding of the situation was that one had the glass over the graphite and the other the opposite. There was quite a few failures of the originals, so Seeker changed the way they made them, as above. Which construction style was first or second, I cannot recall. I used to know that sort of stuff dead-nuts, but I'm just not able to recall such rod blank trivia any longer.

The first series blank that I own developed a hairline crack running up the blank between the sixth and seventh guides - about 1.5" long. The blank never failed, because Capt. Neil "repaired" it by wrapping the cracked area with guide thread, blending it pretty much perfectly with the maroon-ish blank. You really have to look closely to find the wrap. Like I wrote, it has never failed - even though I was using it for bass clam chumming in my local inlet for quite a few seasons. Always held my breath though, always expecting the worst - but it never happened. Still have this rod today. And its still a gorgeous build.

The second series Herc that I own was sold to me by close friend. It was built by CR/Atlantic Rods, and has a completely different action. Its much more moderate, compared to the first rod's faster action, bending well into the mid-section while leaning on a good fish.

Now this bendo difference might possibly be because of the way the blank was cut for the original owner, But I don't think he took off enough of the blank to make such a big difference in action. Its also a very nice piece which I used for inlet clam chumming as well, in addition to late fishing tog at 17. I've just moved past both of those types of fishing in general, and also have segued to completely different types of rods. Doesn't mean these Hercules L blanks are obsolete by any means, just that I have other current preferences.

 

[Fishscale]

The new blanks were not like the originals,actions were not the exactly the same.They defenitely changed over the years in my opinion.I thought that was the reason you specified true seeker Herc Light.Not sure you will be happy with what you get.Just something to think about.Good luck with it Kal.

Right on Rob I don’t believe it’s the original since it comes in 7 and not 7’3 which I believe they were but I’ll see how it pans out and I will compare to my friends original prototypes and report back

 

[Fishscale]

The new blanks were not like the originals,actions were not the exactly the same.They defenitely changed over the years in my opinion.I thought that was the reason you specified true seeker Herc Light.Not sure you will be happy with what you get.Just something to think about.Good luck with it Kal.

Right on Rob I don’t believe it’s the original since it comes in 7 and not 7’3 which I believe they were but I’ll see how it pans out and I will compare to my friends original prototypes and report back

Yes, there definitely was a change made to these blanks from the earliest models. I own both a very early model and the later version. My understanding of the situation was that one had the glass over the graphite and the other the opposite. There was quite a few failures of the originals, so Seeker changed the way they made them, as above. Which construction style was first or second, I cannot recall. I used to know that sort of stuff dead-nuts, but I'm just not able to recall such rod blank trivia any longer.

The first series blank that I own developed a hairline crack running up the blank between the sixth and seventh guides - about 1.5" long. The blank never failed, because Capt. Neil "repaired" it by wrapping the cracked area with guide thread, blending it pretty much perfectly with the maroon-ish blank. You really have to look closely to find the wrap. Like I wrote, it has never failed - even though I was using it for bass clam chumming in my local inlet for quite a few seasons. Always held my breath though, always expecting the worst - but it never happened. Still have this rod today. And its still a gorgeous build.

The second series Herc that I own was sold to me by close friend. It was built by CR/Atlantic Rods, and has a completely different action. Its much more moderate, compared to the first rod's faster action, bending well into the mid-section while leaning on a good fish.

Now this bendo difference might possibly be because of the way the blank was cut for the original owner, But I don't think he took off enough of the blank to make such a big difference in action. Its also a very nice piece which I used for inlet clam chumming as well, in addition to late fishing tog at 17. I've just moved past both of those types of fishing in general, and also have segued to completely different types of rods. Doesn't mean these Hercules L blanks are obsolete by any means, just that I have other current preferences.

that’s interesting Richie built it since he hated that blank

I got it for more nostalgic reasons and would like to compare it to the rods I fish more nowadays as you

What are some of the models you fish now for local species in your area?

 

[Fishscale]

The return of the dragon

 

[Fishscale]

If anyone needs I have an extra

 

[Leprechaun]

that’s interesting Richie built it since he hated that blank

First, Happy New Year Kal!

I believe that C. RIchie hated that blank because Billy Vivona had a big hand in designing it.

He's a strange bird that CR. Very talented builder, but way too much BS for a site like this. Or most others, so I understand. His Shimano hatred spewed across every Shimano-related thread made him persona non-grata here, and elsewhere. Too bad, because his non-Shimano content was pretty good.

 

[Fishscale]

First, Happy New Year Kal!

I believe that C. RIchie hated that blank because Billy Vivona had a big hand in designing it.

He's a strange bird that CR. Very talented builder, but way too much BS for a site like this. Or most others, so I understand. His Shimano hatred spewed across every Shimano-related thread made him persona non-grata here, and elsewhere. Too bad, because his non-Shimano content was pretty good.

Happy New Year Lep and all the best for the new year

I was aware with the Billy beef but didn’t get to see the Shimano

I actually just dropped of the inshore light over the wknd and decided to try my first build with Quinlans custom rods and will share the outcome as well

It looks like Billy has new venture with Rod Forge company which looks interesting but probably to new to know how the rods perform locally

 

[Leprechaun]

Billy is another "interesting" guy. Comes across as a real d*** on line. Couldn't be nicer in person. Don't know why so many choose to project like that, when they could just be themselves. 30 years on-line and I still don't get that sort of behavior.

But then, maybe it's because I'm kind of the polar opposite. Nice enough guy on-line, complete b-buster in person. Tried to change my ways many times, never succeeded.

Anyway, I wish Billy good luck with the new venture and Bob Penicka, they are both VERY talented guys.

 

[Fishscale]

I agree I was going to check him over comments made but realized in person he’s not built like that nor are many others that carry themselves a certain way online but soft like Twinkie fillings when you see them in person

I actually miss Hungry Jack and appreciate him more now he used to put people where they belong

But I’d say all in all it was good that we got to see the energy when people actually posted to compliment the times and understand the True Tone

 

[Fishscale]

I got to fish the new inshore light down in Va and broke her in over 1-2lb sea bass to warm up the engines again