DanielM: I don't understand the purpose of the metal eye replacement you use. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the whip is a little different from a pole. For the whip, the line is threaded into the rod blank and tied internally to a rubber band. It's the rubber band that absorbs the shock of the pulling fish. Meanwhile, for a pole, the line is tied externally and the pole absorbs the force.
Any tips for presenting bait, hook-setting, and fighting fish on these long poles?
Do any other rod manufacturers make poles? It would be interesting to have a G Loomis or St. Croix or Shimano pole.