I'm wanting to build a heavy duty bass rod... this will only be used for swimbaits (1.5-4oz) and ledgebuster spinnerbaits (1.5-2.5oz) In looking through all the sponser sites at blanks, it has become appearant that a Musky blank would be the best route to go.

I have 2 issues with all the musky blanks I have seen, first is most have tips in the 9/64 to 11/64 which makes selecting a tip top a chore... I'd have to use a 10mm or larger ring. The other is length, these days there are only a few that are made under 7' and I don't have a rod box that can handle anything over 7'.

I found a Rainshadow 6'6" RX7 that meets my lure and line weight needs and has a size 7 tip, for a reasonable price ($60) but I know nothing about Rainshadow rods.

Can you guys shed some light on Rainshadow or make a musky blank suggestion that falls into the above range?

Thanks a million!!

Keith

You might want to look into a backbounce blank, there are some loomis, shikari, and rogues that are popular for those applications for bass. A rod for those applications is towards the bottom of my to build sometime list, but I know that my st. croix MH musky rod would not be my choice. I think the backbounce rods will have more give in the tip and still provide the power you need for the weights you are casting.

Keith: Is this the model you are looking at? RS-RX7: IMU786G

Rainshadow Musky / Saltwater Rod Blanks
IMU-78-6-G ... Olive Green ... 6'6" ... 1-pc
17-40lb line ... 3/4-3oz. lures ...
0.680" ... 7.0 / 64ths ... Fast ... Med-Hvy 2.71oz. ...
~$40 on Close-Out at [www.fishsticks4u.com]

At $40 for that blank at FS4U, I doubt there is a better value package deal out there. More money? - Sure, ... THAT much better performance? ... not the last time I looked in my wallet. IMO, -Cliff Hall+++

Cliff,

I actually didn't see it at fishsticks4u but that looks like the same rod. Thanks for the heads up, you may have just saved me an additional $20... which will allow me to upgrade on components a little!

I will also look into bounceback rods. I'm not familiar with them.

Thanks again.

Keith

Try posting your blank question on the rods and reels at www.wmi.org/bassfish. There are some really knowledgable builders there on blanks for specific bass techniques.

For the 10 - 12 " swimbaits the Rainshadow IMU907 works well, 6 - 7 inchers the SWS 967 or the Am Tack Patriot ASW 967 will work. Rogue makes the SB line of blanks for swimbaits, but it looks like from the specs it's just their backbouncing blanks as mentioned before. Still they are well thought of.

Keith,

Getting under 7' with a small tip size is a challenge, so that one Cliff found seems like a good option. St. Croix makes an Avid in the range you're looking for up to 3oz., the 3M66MHF. Rainshadow RX7s are very nice blanks too and I've got a RS IMU827 that's very comparable to the 3M69HF Avid, both are rated up to 5oz.

Croix introduced a new line of LT swimbait blanks for 06, but you'd be looking at cutting them down. You might also consider making a telescopic?

mark