Have a customer that wants me to build him a Bass Casting and a Bass Spinning rod.
He wants them both to be 6 1/2 ft long. He 5' 9" tall and a 7 footer is a bit long for him casting off the front deck. He is presently using a 7' G Loomis and hits the water or the boat with his bait sometime. He is a small tournament bass fisherman.
He is very interested in the RainShadow blanks.
The Casting rod will be used for buzz baits, spinner baits and large Zara Spook.
The Spinning rod will be for small crank baits.
Anyone got any personal preferences for these 2 blanks ? Moderately priced.
Will appreciate all the info I can get.

Jay,
I put together a nice light baitcasting rod with a Rainshadow ISB781 blank, 6'6", fast action, ML, rated for 1/8-3/8 oz lure weight. It's actually a spinning blank, and I think it would work great for your spinning rod. Also just made a crankbait rod with a Rainshadow CB66MH blank, 6'6", moderate-fast action, medium-heavy, rated for 3/8-1 oz lures, for 10-20lb line. Casts like a rocket. Both are great blanks. Contact Fishsticks4U. Those guys are the best.
Good luck,
Tom White

Like Tom suggested, I too love the CB line of Bastons, VERY nice stuff and super reasonable.

On the Casting rod, I believe I'd make him a EBT784 CTS. I have built several of these and they are GREAT blanks. My choice in Baston is the ISB783. If he's throwing large spooks and spinnerbaits he needs at least the 3 power imo. If he's throwing lighter stuff the 2 power is what I'd build in the Baston. Really depends on the weights he'll be throwing?

DR

I built a CB66M for throwing floating Raps & Jr. Challenger minnows. It does great with 8# Fireline and small baits. I find myself wanting the medium heavy at times so I guess it depends on what your friend's definition of a small crankbait is. The way I cast, I find the 66M limited to more like 1/2 oz - but that's me.

DR - that's good to hear on the ISB783. I have two of the old OG blanks and I have a reel that needs a home.

Tom Where are you located and are ypu or did you live in Washington State?
Good Wraps Bob. I would have emailed you directly , but your email is hidden

Jay;
If you can steer him in the Direction of the RX8+ blanks he and you will be a lot happier. They are an awesome blank. Here are the the specs and Batsons suggested use for each blank

RX8+ Model #
Length
Power
Action
Pcs
Line Wt
Lure Wt
Blank Wt.
Color
Butt
Tip
Application

RX8+S822.5
6'10"
Medium
X-Fast
1
6-12
1/8-1/2oz
1.76oz.
Satin Black
0.450
4.5
Drop Shot

RX8+S823
6'10"
Medium
X-Fast
1
8-14
3/16-5/8oz.
1.74oz.
Satin Black
0.475
4.5
Topwater / Finesse Spin

RX8+C742
6'2"
Medium
Fast
1
8-14
1/4-5/8oz.
1.36oz.
Satin Black
0.440
5
Jerk Bait / Close Quarter's Spinner Bait

RX8+C812
6'9"
Medium
Fast
1
8-14
1/4-5/8oz.
1.85oz.
Satin Black
0.465
5.5
Senko Special

RX8+C783
6'6"
Medium Hvy
Fast
1
10-17
1/4-3/4oz
2.13oz.
Satin Black
0.515
5.5
Worm / Jig

RX8+C843
7'0"
Medium Hvy
Fast
1
10-17
1/4-3/4oz
2.46oz.
Satin Black
0.535
6
Carolina Rig

RX8+C865
7'2"
Hvy
Fast
1
12-25
3/8-1 1/4oz
2.52oz.
Satin Black
0.580
6.5
Jig / Slop / Frog

Thanks a bunch guys. I will look at the RX8 also. This is a big help.
Jay