I'm building a shakey head spinning rod for a buddy. I generally build up a 3C69MLXF (as spinning) for this application, but I'm wondering what other great blanks I might be missing.

He'll likely throw 3/16 to 5/16 oz. shakey heads, with 1/4 being most common. In a pinch, he'd also like the rod to be capable of doing some duty with a drop-shot rig.

Any/all suggestions would be appreciated.

My pick;
Batson RX8+S823
It's just a tad stiffer then their RX8+S822.5
Which is their suggested blank for a drop shot rod.
The 823 will do a better job of driving the hook through the worm for better hook ups. With the little larger hooks used on shaky heads.

Loomis SB 811. I am very happy with the one I built for myself. Bob from Custom Tackle Supply set me up with this blank.

I have held and built both both these blanks and for the money in my opinion the RX7 wins, it felt less tip heavy than the RX8. The butt diameters seems to tell the tale, both blansk weight the same. I am not impressed with the RX8+ version. Id go with the RX7. Maybe the RX8+ carbon scrim makes it stronger? I dont know but, I have not broken a RX7 nor heard of them being broken in any quantity so for the $100 I dont see much difference. In my book I like to start with a blank that is well balance to begin with from their it can only get better add good power to weight ratio and you end up with incredbily nice rods to fish with.

RX8+S822.5 Satin Black 6'10" 1 6-12 LB 1/8 - 1/2 OZ 0.450 4.5 Extra-Fast Medium 1.95 oz.

RX7 ISB822.5 Matte Clear 6'10" 1 6-14lb. 1/8 - 5/8oz. 0.570 5.0 Extra-Fast Medium 1.95 oz.

All the above blanks mentioned make for great Shakey Head rods. We carrying all the ones mentioned and they each have their place. Things that you do have consider in selecting a blank, depth of water where you fish, deeper you fish, the more mid-power you need to set the hook. The size of the jig head being used and the size of the hook you are trying to drive. Another blank that was not mentioned that I have recently been selling with great feedback is the Lamiglas XMG 50 - LP844. In this series, Todd Vivian designed them to be quite a bit faster than a regular popping blank. It is a 7 ft. blank, but we have been cutting it back, by 2 to 4 inches off the butt, if those would be lengths that the customer would require at 6 ft - 10 inches or 6 ft - 8 inches. Specialty bass rods are our specialty at Custom Tackle Supply and as mentioned, we carry all the blanks that have been mentioned in these posts. If you ever would like to call me at 931-684-6164 and discuss "Specific Technique" bass rods, feel free to do so.

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

St. Croix 5S70MLF.

Castaway XP3 842-2.5B
6-12#
1/8 - 1/4 OZ

swamplandrods@msn.com

Ditto on the RX7 822.5, I use mine for dropshot, dater head and shakey head and has worked great. I put it through a tournament just recently and was well satisfied with it. Steve

x2 on the Loomis SB 811. I use it for Bass as well as a Walleye jigging rod - nice blank.