Okay so my wife volunteered me to build a rod for her brother for a birthday gift. He lives in SW Florida and does a lot of fishing in the mangroves and such for sea trout, redfish, snook, catfish, etc. and he does this from his boat. I need some help in finding the right blank and guides. He said he wants something that throws (spinning) in the 1/4 - 5/8 range. Approx 6.5' - 7' length. Said he had tried a St Croix that he loved but all he could tell me was that it was brown. I looked up the St Croix and all I could find that might be what he liked is this 3SW66MF or 3SW70MF

Any one have any experience with this blank? What guides would you use for this application? Would the Fuji "K" series be appropriate?

Any other blanks you would recommend or have experience with

While the St. Croix is a good blank, for my money you'd be hard pressed to beat the MHX SJ783 (6'-6") or the SJ843 (7'). I've built 3 of the 843's for myself and they've served me and my tournament partners well.
Also check out the MHX lining of popping blanks as they'll fit the bill quite nicely as well, especially the P843 in the 7' range.

Jim...I'm with Matthew on this one..i purchased an MHX SJ 783 last June....it won't be the last!!!...Smokin' Blank !!! and nicely priced...hope this is of some help... Oh...and don't you just Love it when they volunteer your Time for you???...i just Love moving Freezers and Refrigerators on Weekends for people i DON"T even Know!!!!!...Yeah...but she looks good for it!!!!! Ahhhh, God Bless their Pointed little Heads L.M.A.O !!!!!

Would prefer a 1 piece

Jim Meallows Wrote:
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> Would prefer a 1 piece


Those are 1 piece blanks.

Matthew is Correct Jim...they are one Piece...Cheers!!!

Jim -

The St Croix SCIII Inshore series would be a great fit. He most likely tried the 3SW70MF, it is very commonly located on better store racks here in Florida. You could definitely do "K" series guides in stainless steel (BKLAG and BKTAG), paring a conservative budget with modern performance. You simply can't go wrong with St Croix and Fuji.

Jim -

I have built on the MHX - SJ843 and it is a nice blank. In my opinion, it is better suited to bass fishing. I also have a St. Croix SCIII spinning rod. Still nice, but I think the action of popping rods is better for what you want. For saltwater flats I prefer the MHX - P843 or P844 popping blanks. I also like the Batson Rainshadow IP842 and IP843 Inshore Popping blanks.

I build mostly fly rods, but I have used Fuji Concept Alconite (CYAG) guides with CLAG running guides on all of the spinning rods I have built . They have worked great. I'm sure the K series are equally as good although a little more expensive.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2011 09:15AM by Bob Riggins.

Batson IP or XP 843 or 844

Jim,
without knowing what his specific style of fishing is and lure/bait types I'd look at the DS821-Blend or DS822-Blend for that application. the 821 for lighter live bait or small jig applications and the heavier one for top's and swimbaits.

[www.mudhole.com]

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Last week i used a DS822 stretched to 7ft and rigged with minima 4's, split grip, 10# braid in the surf in front of our condo at Perdido key AL on the Florida border. I have to agree with Todd : great blank for that task.

mhx p844 or p843. i just ordered a p904. great blank.

Thanks for all the help. Not sure yet on which one to get. Looking for a little clarification on the MHX series. Any one use the HM (high modulus) blanks and what (if any) advantage do they offer? I am looking at the HM P844-MHX (popping and a faster tip) and the HM-SJ843-MHX (spin/jig)