Any suggestions on what blanks to use.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Brad

The traditional Hatteras Heavers have gone the way of the dodo bird. The old heavy, thumb thick tip type blanks have given way to much lighter and faster rods that still heave 10 to 14 ounces of lead and bait but do it easier and better and even farther than ever before.

The Loomis SU1448 and the BreakAway are two newer favorites. If you can find any of the older TKR GFS1386's you've also got a winner. I don't guess Tom makes those anymore. Haven't seen a new one in several years now.

There may some even newer ones that I'm not aware of yet. You should get some more replies here within a few hours I'd guess.

They're $180(the 1509 2pc/1pc) and the next best blank is more than twice the price,which would be a conoflex or Zziplex.The new AAA Breakaway(cost right up there with the two I mentioned)took the world champion distance trophy this year.Good luck on your quest...........Kyle

I only made 42 of the 1386's. (Have one left and that one is mine.) That was back when nothing else like it was available, so I just made some. That is the blank that started the trend you now see with the Loomis and BreakAway models. Everybody on the Outer Banks told me they'd never be accepted, but you see what has happened since.

We have so many good blanks available to us today that it makes little sense for anyone to go the trouble and expense of making his own. These really are the "good old days" of rod building.

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the guys in hatteras used to build on the loomis su1448. i understand most have stopped using this blank because of breakage near the tip.
i built one for myself and three more for friends-no problems.
i have seen the heavier rods built on the breakaway and lamiglass blanks but would like to hear some other suggestions.

I recommend the Zziplex on the higher end rods and I hear good things about the new Breakaway. On the economy end (but still a very solid heaver) I think you can get the blanks they use to build the factory Pinnacle Absolutes, made by Silstar but not sure.