Has anyone used the new Lamiglas Indian River Blanks? I am looking for a few rods to throw light artificials at redfish. The TLP 844 pretty much has the specs I am looking for. Also I have noticed that these blanks have the woven texture on the butt section. How does that look? Will a 15-17 inch handle section cover the texture?

I am looking for 7'0 10-20lb 1/8-5/8oz M-MH fast action blank. If anyone has a blank suggestion of something close to this please respond.

Thanks Guys. I appreciate all of the responses.
Ken

Take a look at St Croix SC2 Inshore, SC3 Inshore and even SC4 Inshore.

SC2's are lower modulus and lacking advanced technology. Nonetheless, they are a very solid choice and a good value.
SC3's are higher modulus and incorporate IPC. IMO, the best value in the class.
SC4's are even higher modulus and incorporate both IPC and ART. Not the best value, but IMO the best blank in the class.

You can study on IPC and ART on the St Croix website ... [www.stcroixrods.com].

BTW, the SC2 Inshore series offers some blanks in a 3-piece travel model.

Thanks Jim, I’ll have to look more into St Croix. I used to build on their blanks alot and I loved the SCV when it was brown. I’m just not that crazy about blue and green rods they are now offering. I do like the gloss black pearl and satin black finish that they offer, but I wish it was available on a SCIV or SCV. I want a nice sensitive blank that I wont have to paint when I get it. Thanks again man.
Ken

Have you personally seen the new SC5 blank finishes ... especially the Blue-Green Flip?

If not, do yourself a favor and buy one. It is knock dead gorgeous IMO. The best paint job I have EVER seen on any blank. When light hits the finish, it is nothing short of amazing.

While I'm not building inshore, I'll agree with Ken here. The biggest complaint I hear on those is "Why do they have to make them a color? I want black." Batson made a good choice IMO doing the RX8+ in the satin black.

Pesonally I prefer no finish at all. Natural graphite for me.

-----------------
AD

I too prefer either gloss black, gloss white, or natural grey - any thread color looks great on any of these. But you'd be surprised at how important blank color is to the majority of fishermen and thus to the guys who build their rods.

Many years ago Gary Loomis told me that since their base blanks were gloss grey and the IM6 were burgundy, they were looking for an alternative for the IMX (each one needs to be colored differently for easy ID at the plant). They settled on a natural, buffed (unfinished) surface which not only gave them a stealth look, but saved about 7% on blank weight and thus offered even better performance. He said they continually got the same flack from consumers who said that they weren't "pretty." In fact, he said that G.Loomis, Inc. had done some marketing studies and that they found the #1 consideration when buying a rod was "Is it pretty?" Hard to believe, but that's what their research said.

..........

Ken,
I have been using these models for over a year now and they perform excellently. They are my go to models for wading and Kayaking.

I believe the woven fabric runs about 28" up from the butt of the blank.

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com