Looking to build a baitcasting rod paired with a Diawa Fuego, that will be in use for mainly TRigged plastics, tubes, and light jigs. Looking for any suggestions on a rod that would be best for these applications, dont want an overly stiff rod that will hinder the casting ability, but dont want too small a rod that will take away from hook setting. Any suggestions would be great!

JAY...A LTTLE MORE INFO ... HOW LONG ARE YOU LOOKING FOR...AND WHEN YOU SAY LIGHT JIGS...DOES THAT MEAN UNDER A 1/4 OZ OR LESS

Bill@midwestrodandreel.com
www.midwestrodandreel.com

I've built 2 rods for weightless senko's, small flukes, sammy's, and 1/4oz swim jigs. I used the St Croix 6'6" SCIII Medium power, fast action.
I fish fluorocarbon on Shimano Chronarchs. The action of this rod works very well for me. For texas rigged plastics, and any jig fished slow I have built 2 rods on the St Croix 7' SCIII - Med Heavy, fast action. I can cast the weightless plastics well with the lighter rod and have good hook setting power. For the texas rigged plastics I feel I need a heavier rod with extra backbone. When I first built the 7' med heavy, I was concerned with casting. After spending some time this past summer it turned out to be no problem at all. Bob McKamey at Mudhole helped walk me through my first several rods.
My next worm rod I plan to try the SCV or North Fork HM blanks for extra sensitivity. Can't wait for the Expo.
Just my 2 cents, so take it for what it's worth.

More information will help, but this sounds like a pretty universal bass rod. Every manufacturer has a version of a MB (mag bass) 843 (7’ medium heavy fast action) blank that would work very well for you.

Looking for a 6'8 - 7 ft rod, medium w/ fast tip (dont want a MH action), jigs will be under a 1/4 ounce. Most TRiggs and Tubes/Jigs are going to be thrown with around 1/8 - 1/4 oz the very heaviest. I have a heavier action rod for most jigs. This rod will be used for smallies/Largemouth, edges of cover and around submerged off shore areas.

Any blank you look at it IMHO is best to look at the lour weight that you will be casting. Find one that the weight is in the middle of the range - The Sweet Spot. Good starting point.

Bill - willierods.com

You might want to check out the Batson 822.5. I have never built on this blank but the specifications suggest that it would suit your needs. The 822.5 is a 6'10" extra-fast action, medium power blank and is offered in RX7, RX8 and RX8+ graphite.

Tthree blanks come to mind...XSB822.5 med/fast...ISB822.5 med /x-fast and ISB802.75 med/x-fast...all would be great fit ...Midwest has them in stock and ready to ship...or see them all at the BIG EXPO in High Point

Bill@midwestrodandreel.com
www.midwestrodandreel.com

I have built several spinning rods with the ISB 822.5 rod, also was really interested in that 802.75. That 822.5 might be the ticket for my next baitcasting rod. Was actually looking to build something that was similar to my spinning rod that could throw the same lures/ Will be in touch Bill

If I was going to throw around cover, I'd likely go with the St. Croix 3C68MXF.

If there was no cover, I might even opt for a St. Croix 3C69MLXF. I fish all those same baits on mine (though mine is built as spinning). I love the rod for this application.

My go to blank for that use is the Batson RX8 XSB843-TC built casting. The XMB is nice, but I like the tip of the XSB better. I would not recommend the XSB802.5...way to light of a tip....that thing is a great DS rod....if they made an 822.75 in the RX8 series it would be great.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

The RX8+822.5 is an awesome blank, and if you are going to fish exposed hook is my recommendation.

But if you will be pulling the hook through the bait I would suggest this model equally impressive with just a tad more backbone.
RX8+C812 6'9" Medium Fast 8-14 1/4-5/8oz. 1.85oz. Satin Black



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2010 07:41AM by Steve Gardner.

DO you think the ISB 822.5 will be too light of a tip for fishing small jigs, trigged plastics and tubes. The XSB model is a fast action tip, while the ISB is Xtra Fast. I have my spinning reel hooked up with the ISB model 822.5, not sure that this is a hearty enough blank for the applications I am looking at. Is there a major difference in action between the ISB and XSB 822.5/

Jay,

I have both the RX8+S822.5 and RX8+S823. I have no problem using either with small T-rigged worms with 1/8 oz. weights. The difference comes with the jigs and tubes. The 822.5 just isn't stiff enough in the tip to crawl jigs and tubes through much cover at all, but is great for swimming presentations. The 823 has just a tad more stiffness in the tip, and drags lures through cover a bit better.

Joe

something that ends in "843"

i use an RX7 IMB843 and its plenty light for a 1/4oz bait - but i've pulled 6lbers out from under docks with it too. nice all around blank.

Regards,
-Justin

Jay,
I find the XSBs to be very fast with AAs of 76 and 77 degrees. I think they are extra fast, even though they are rated fast by Batson.

My name is Angelo and I live in Rome (Italy).
I am interested in finding more info about Batson bass blanks.
In particular I'd like to know which differences are between XMB and XSB RX8 series (I mean 843 model).
I'd like also to get a XMB844-TC (lure weight up to 1oz).
Anyone could help me?
Thanks in advance.
A.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2010 05:14AM by Angelo Fucci.