First, let me thank everyone whose advice was so useful on the rod I just finished. This was my second building project, and while I have far from mastered the craft, I believe there is a significant improvement in my skill (although I still have volumes to learn). Much of that is the results of tidbits I have gleaned from this board. Thanks to all.
Now, on to my next question: For my next project I want to build a 6'6" MH spinning rod. It will be used primarily for smallmouth fishing (from a canoe), throwing suspending jerkbaits (Husky Jerks, Pointers, Flash Minnows, etc.), cranks, medium-light jigs (1/4 oz), and some plastics. My first two rods were built on St. Croix blanks (an SCII and an SCIII), and I am reasonably pleased with how they perform. Logically, it would seem that I would also like an SCV rated at 3/16 to 5/8 oz. I have also heard from at least one rodbuilder how much he likes the Shikari blanks. The SHX models, PJ663 and the PB662, seem comparably priced to the SCV. Can anyone offer their thoughts on the merits of these blanks? I do not need to make a decision anytime soon (it's now time to fish, not build), but I thought I would start getting my ducks in a row now. Thanks.
Tight lines,
Hunter

Hunter

Why don't you consider one of the ST. Croix SCIV blanks. They are very sensitive and not much different in feel from the SCV blanks. The price is decent also. They are new this year and are very impressive. Check them out !

Good luck,

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

Hi Hunter,
I have built almost a dozen rods for clients using Shikari SHII blanks. Everyone has raved about their
new rods and are very happy. I used the P762, P764, and the MB704. This was my first experience
with Shikari blanks, I am looking forward to building on more of their products. I am also a big fan of
G. Loomis but they are a bit pricey but worth every penny! Good Luck!

Raymond

If you are throwing jerkbaits and crankbaits you might be better off with a slower action rod, something along the line of SHIII AC66MHM built as a spinning rod. The SCV and SCIV blanks are very nice, but the Fast actions are usually pretty fast. I also have a couple of Shikari PII blanks that I like a lot, but I haven't tried the SHX blanks yet.

As far as the Shikari SHX blanks go they feel awesome but I will tell you this!! They arent durable at all!!
I broke a SJ 602 using a soft pull set of a smallie a few weeks ago.........Contacted Shikari and they told me right out they are dealing with breakage issues with the SHX line................. So either drop down to the SH III SHikari or opt for the St Croix..............I totally agree with Bruce on the SC IV line but if your trying to keep weight down the exact blank in the SC III will weigh less due to whatever they are using to put that purple blue finish on the SC IV blanks.

"As far as the Shikari SHX blanks go they feel awesome but I will tell you this!! They arent durable at all!! "

I watched one blow up yesterday on the cast. The fisherman did nothing but rare back and cast a tube bait as he'd did 1/2 the day so far.

Hunter,

We both fish rivers and .......

Sometimes I believe we over-rate sensitivity over durability. Sure being sensitive is great, but if you're afraid to throw it in the back of the truck and really USE it, then whats the use? I guess it depends on your style of fishing. If you are hard on equiptment and really USE your gear, you're most likely not a fisherman that NEEDS high sensitivity to detect bites, what you really need is a good sensitive rod that will hold up year after year to your "abuse" in general fishing and not have to worry about rod failure. The choice is surely yours, but for me, and my being hard on gear, I'd not go really "high end", you get a stiffer more brittle blank with high ends.

I am building my 1st St Croix IV and it is one beautiful blank and like Bruce said, very affordable. They are in the new Cobalt Blue color that I've came to like after wrapping one in UVA colors for a customer, it's sitting in CP stage right now. They are a fast blank, at least this one is, and they come with white lettering to go on if you wish-just FYI on the white on blue.

DR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2005 01:58PM by Duane Richards (DR).

I have lots of rods built on the Shikari SHX blanks, PSJ662, PMBs, PSBs, and PPs haven't broken any of them.