Have any of you felt, fondled, or built any of the new blanks. In particular 3C70MM, 3C70MHM, or the 3C70MHXF. How do they feel? Will the crank bait blanks make good bay popping rods. Seems to me that they should. Let us know what you have found out about them. Yes I know that the 3C70MHXF is not a crank bait blank. I'm asking about it because I have had such good luck with the3C68MXF.

Thanks,
Gerald McCasland

Gerald,
We're soon expecting our 2002 shipment of these and a full line of St. Croix blanks for our distribution in Canada.
All indications of their prototype testing are that this was something many wanted and missing in their 'categories' .
Being moderate action will be a great replacement for those previously relying on the S-Glass but wanted more the sensitivity of graphite. Now they will have it. I look for other possibilities for using this blank in my rodbuilding with the moderate tip action.

I am looking forward to building on the MM blanks and especially some late fall smallie and walleye 'field testing' up here.

I know what you mean about the popular 68mxf and also I am looking forward to the 70mhxf. Also they are having available a 7'6 blank to check out that's new. 2002 should be another good year with St. Croix innovation.

For popping blanks you might check into Shikari series, as they are very nice HS7600 and P703 are a couple to consider.

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel
Solyrich Custom Rods

Rich - about these 68MXF blanks. What type of fishing (Jig & Pig, Topwater, etc) are they mainly used for? I know what the line/lure ratings are, but I was thinking about using these for 1 ounce jigs bounced along teh bottom. No casting, just straight dropped down to the bottom, and jigged. This is Saltwater fishing for Fluke in 10-30 feet of water. I know St. Croix rods are a bit under-rated, but do not want to buy it only to find it's not what I hoped.

Thanks, Billy

Billy,
No, the 3C68MXF would not really suit your situation for the heavy weights. It's better used as a casting instrument and even finesse jig lighter weight situations. You might want to consider 3C70HF, but maybe the new blank as Gerald mentioned 3C70MHXF would suit, but at the top range of the lure rating up to 1 oz. I would lean toward the heavy power. I think it would still give a fair degree of sensitivity, but then again med. heavy. It's a toss up with what you're going to do. I understand your ambivalence.
The 3C68MXF makes a nice overall casting rod. Many like it as an ideal fluke rod, but is decent as topwater and most plastic bait situations at about 1/4 oz. ideal. I might prefer the 3C66MF for topwater, but I digress.

IMHO

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel