What makes a good Blackfish rod?

[Kevin Bogan]

I wrote this as a general explanation of what I thing makes a good Blackfish rod.
As the popularity of Blackfishing increases year after year one thing most anglers learn in a hurry is that they are a tough fish to catch. Lets touch on a few topics and see what it takes to Tame aTog.
The blank: The common choices are E Glass or graphite. E glass generally has a softness as it is flexed that allows for shock absorbtion, or a cushioning effect that helps to prevent a lip hooked fish from getting loose, line breakage, and an overall comfortable retrieve. Graphite, which manufacturers claim to be more sensitive through it's higher modulas, will have a stiffer feel as it is flexed.I personally like glass shafts, but a slower taper graphite in low modulas is my choice for graphites. The blanks I use, "Fish Poison" are designed to perform the "slow load' task needed to keep the fish off of the wreck, and to fight him with "suspension" for the remainder of the battle. A note about sensitivity. Anyone can claim a certain blank is "sensitive", the fact is, sensivity is an anglers "ability" more so than a rod's ability.
Length: For center consoles or smaller boats a 6'6" or 7' are the most common. For party boats some request as long a 7'6"-8'.
Grips: I like EVA foam, as they are as light weight as cork, but far more durable. Cork sounds good, but if you are an avid Blackfisherman, it wont last.
GUIDES: I repair many factory rods and I am still surprised to see that they use a "Three brace guide". [google American tackle HLC, Pac Bay BTHG, Fuji BHNNG, just a few examples and you will see the 3 brace frame, which has a long tradition of guide failure. They might be "cute", but they wont hold up.
The best guides I have found are HD 6 brace, which are by far, no contest, the most durable guide in the entire industry. If you want to lighten the rod up, a four brace ring lock is the next best choice.
Reel seats: A standard "stainless banded" graphite will work fine, or a machined hooded seat.
Beware of graphite seats that are machined hooded look alike with plastic hoods. It does not matter the brand, they all have too high a failure rate.
Any comments?

Fish Poison Rods= Made in the USA!!! on Broadway, the road to the Mighty Atlantic!