I HAVE A CUSTOMER WHO IS A VERY GOOD JIG FISHERMAN WITH A PROBLEM. HE WANTS THE PERFECT ROD. IT MUST CAST LIKE A DREAM AND BE SENSITIVE ENOUGH TO FEEL A BASS FART AT 25 FEET. HE HAS TRIED LOOMIS IMX RODS AND SAYS 783 CASTS WELL BUT IS TO SOFT IN THE TIP AND 784 HAS GOOD SENSITIVITY BUT DOES NOT CAST WELL. HE USES MOSTLY 1/2 OZ JIGS AND WOULD LIKE SOMETHING BETWEEN 783 AND 784. I WAS THINKING ABOUT CUTTING AN INCH OFF THE TIP OF A 783 TO STIFFEN IT A LITTLE BUT NOT RUIN IT FOR CASTING. I WOULD LIKE INPUT FROM SOME OF YOU PROS OUT THERE WHO HAVE CUSTOMIZED BLANKS BEFORE. I WOULD RATHER NOT DESTROY A VERY EXPENSIVE BLANK AND ALL OF THE WORK, BUT I WILL EXPERIMENT. SOLVING PROBLEMS IS THE BEST WAY TO INCREASE BUSINESS. THANKS FOR ALL OPINIONS.
KEITH

Maybe you can redo one of the rods he has? I take it they are factory rods - Off the shelf? Check the spine, do a static test

The Lamiglas IMC 784 is IMO a blank that goes between the Loomis blanks mentioned. Same graphite as the IMX blanks. Straighter blanks, cost less, a win-win.

Spencer

Maybe he needs to jump to a 7 footer. 6'6" doesn't seem like enough rod to have the backbone and the tip he wants. Most guys love the IMX 844. Rogue also makes a nice rod for pitching - the MB705.

I'm definitely not a pro, and I've not cut up any blanks, but I do spend a huge amount of time fishing 3/8 to 1/2 oz. jigs. I can't speak for the IMX models you mentioned. What I can say is that the St. Croix SCIII 7' MH ex-fast blank does all the things he's asking for, IMO. The blank is listed as 3C70MHXF. Unlike most of the St. Croix rods I've built (which seem under-rated), this model seems to have the correct rating. I agree that whatever blank you choose, I think he's going to have to step up to a 7 footer.

This blank I mentioned will pitch a bait perfectly, but still has a nice tip for overhand or sidearm casting. Further, it is amazingly sensitive even at long distances. When I first started using it, I was amazed at the fish I was catching on a long line--fish I'd never even felt before. My favorite aspect of this blank, though, is it's ability to (very slowly) shake and drag a jig--a killer technique for early season bass in my area.

Everyone will have their own preference for any type of rod, but my personal favorite blank for the type of rod you are discussing is: All Star Titanium-BAST907FS Flipping 7'6"( very light in weight and extremely sensitive).