It is finally time to build a rod for myself. I want to build a worm rod, a rod for spinner baits and top water rod. I would love suggestions on premium blanks and guides.

Thank you
Chip

Your question is completely subjective. However, my initial reaction would be St Croix SCV blanks, Fuji SiC Titanium guides, Mud Hole's custom painted Fuji reel seats AND top-shelf natural cork.

I have been building on Phenix blanks lately and I have nothing but paise for them. They are very limited in their selection, but as far as your worm rod goes, I think that you couldn't do much better. It could be a hair faster for the real lite finesse, but they are so light and straight. I am glad that I went with these over the G Loomis blanks that the customer wanted at twice the price. You would do well to give Phenix a look, but it takes a while to get it so you need to plan ahead if you do go with phenix. Any questions about it pleas feel free to e-mail me personally.
James

Check out the Custom Builder series at Mudhole.

When money isn't an issue, I look to CTS blanks. I had one custom made to my needs alittle over a year ago. It's still the best blank I've ever used.

-jb

After a little more thought, I build my rods on Mudhole house blanks. They've held up to 50#+ cobia, bull reds and light enough to throw weightless jerk baits to sea trout. For less than $20.00. You could build quite a few rods.

I agree with Jim. The new SCV in flip green is awesome, but I was really disappointed when the paper towel turned slightly green using rubbing alcohol. I kept that to a minimum. Just the same, that wouldn't stop me from doing it again. On one of them (lady customer) I used the new metallic thread from Fishhawk and it really looked sharp. I believe it was G12 Spring Green. I got it at ICRBE and the labels were not on the thread. The SCIV is almost as good for less money.

I love my SC (III ; IV; and V/VI) 68MXF. This rod is a classic! Love the sensitivity of the extra fast action and backbone for casting as well as hooksets...great worm or all around rod, IMO. Two of these models I extended to 7-foot and they are wicked! I made another one of these into a spinning rod for jig and pig for a buddy....he loves it. It'll jack their jaws, as they say in Tenn.

I would consider the St. Croix III as a great blank because of the durability, lightness, and bang for the buck. The IV is pretty tough, too, with a metalic blue finish (not to my taste so much but I love the rod nonetheless).

I don't throw much topwater nor spinnerbaits...but if I did I would not heistate to use this rod, too.

Can't go wrong with Fuji SiC...the best guide for the money out there. You won't wear these guides out. Go with the smallest guide that will work for your purpose (pass knots) in not more than three sizes! Go with some micros if you can, too!

Les

I would agree with St Croix SCIV or SCV series. I also love that SCIV 68MXF blank. The other blanks I would take a look at though are the Rainshadow RX8 series. I am using one of these, the XMB844-TC, for a flipping rod I am making for the ABA district I fish for the winner of the district. It is such a light weight blank and I love this titanium chrome finish on them. I also built up another one, the XSB822.5-TC as a spinning rod for smallies in the river I fish near me, just got it done and can't wait to get out and try it. This rod is also my first use of micro guides and it casts light lures like a dream.

Here's what I would do:

Worm rod--5C70MHF (if around cover). 5C68MXF (if open water)
Spinnerbait Rod--5C70MF (if around cover). 5S70MF built as casting, (if open water)--the spinning model seems a hair less powerful
Topwater Rod--4C70MHM (if heavier baits). 4C70MM (if lighter topwaters) (NOTE--this last rod is also a great crankbait rod)

Guides: All Fuji Titanium SiCs, 6, 5, 4, then 3.5s to the tip. All done in a spiral wrap.
Reel Seats: Either Fuji ECSMs turned into split seats, OR the Castaway seat with full contact to the blank. Front threads trimmed tight, so that only front hood shows when the reel is mounted.
Grip: As little cork as possible for butt cap, and mid-cork. Use no fore-grip.

If you can only afford to build one rod to do all that you mentioned, the 5C68MXF (or 3C68MXF or 4C68MXF), will do medium-sized worms, spinnerbaits, and topwaters--and it'll do them all pretty well.

Chip I am going to respond to your post in a different manner:

Your post:

"It is finally time to build a rod for myself. I want to build a worm rod, a rod for spinner baits and top water rod. I would love suggestions on premium blanks and guides."

I am requesting a little more information from you:

1. Please define your term "premium blank" - is price the qualifier you are using to define quality?

2. Are you actually talking about one rod to do the three task specific things your post describes?

3. What is your primary use concerning the three task specific techniques you list?

Here is the reason fhe reason for my post -

All manufacturers of task specific bass blanks utilize different materials and tapers to produce blanks set up for specific uses. What happens if you select the "premium" top water model and expect to use it as a worm rod for power fishing?

To unsure that you end up with the correct blank be very candid and work with someone that has experience in setting up bass rods to match usage and techniques.

A "premium" blank in your case could be something like the Lamiglas DTIMC 84M which is a fine cross over blank for multiple task specific uses.

HI Chip,

I decided last winter to build a "great" worm rod for throwing Texas rigs worms on Lake Guntersville, Al. It needed to be able to cast worms with 3/16 oz weights, to be able to get through the grass easily and also handle larger fish. Guntersville is a place where the "tap- tap" could be a 7 lb or a 13" fish. You never know.

I purchased 4 different blanks at the ICRBE in Feburary, and have now built and fished all of them. My favorite of the four is the Castaway HG40- 784 from Swampland.

I have not used it for anything else other than Texas rig worms.

Regards
Bert Nagy

Chip, you have been given sage (pun intended) advice. If this is your first rod, I would suggest a Mudhole kit. Very economical and will allow you to make a few mistakes without fouling up a "dream" blank that will most likely cost more than the whole kit. That's what I did & was pretty much blown away by the quality of the "low price" kit's performance on the water. It is a great rod. I then proceeded to go on to better components & have 3 really dream rods that are itching for the water.
Bill

I have been on the road all day and just now able to check the post. Thanks to all that have responded. I got some great information. This is the tenth rod for me mostly Mud Hole kits and some Allstar blanks from Scott (Fishsticks). While learning I just made them and gave them away. It has been a slow learning curve. To Bill - I see you have a South Lousiana area code and I may give you a call this week.

Thanks to all
Chip

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