A friend has asked for a recommendation about a shaky head rod blank.

I have a Batson XSB 822.5 that I built, and for the big Lake Lanier spots, it is not powerful enough. A 3 lb spot will double it over in a heartbeat, especially pulling one out of 30 or 25 feet of water.

Looking at the Batson lineup, and found these two RX8 blanks - XP 843 popping blank and the XSW 72ML Walleye blank.

I realize the walleye blanks is only a 2 power, but it is extra fast action.

Has anybody built and used these blanks for shaky heads?

Thanks
Bert Nagy

Any of these -

XSW68MX (I believe to be same as the 802.5)
XSB843

All very fast with lots of backbone! I have built many of each.

I agree on the 822.5 - very fast and light, but lacking backbone for your app.

Chuck

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 12:45PM by Chuck Mills.

Check with Lance or Bill at Swampland. They have what you want.

If you are wanting something with more power and a bit stiffer tip, the SJ843-MHX is a great blank. Really good when fishing a shakey head deep. We also have a new model in the MHX line-up that is a proven shakey rig that falls in between a 2 and 3 power Spin Jig type blank, model SJ833-MHX. You did not mention the weight of the jig head that would be used and that also will help to determine which blank to use. You could check with Lance about these blank models as well.

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 02:49PM by Bob McKamey.

I have also built a few for customers on the SJ842 MHX. I didn't mention that since he was asking about Batson blanks. ;)

Another good one is the Lami LP844 (Bob - you suggested that one to me back in 09 and it's great)

Chuck

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

I have built the lami lp843 and it is plenty of rod as is the mhx sj843. Another shaky blank I have built if you really want something different is the mhx 941 blank. I cut 6 inches off of it to make it 7'4". Lot of power and a light tip. Any of those three blanks will handle those deep Lanier torpedoes.

Chuck -- Thanks for reminding of the LP844 Lamiglas. That is a great blank as well.

Rick -- Glad to hear you mention that MB941-MHX trimmed. It does have a very nice tip in it, along with a very powerful butt. Thank You for bringing mentioning that one.

Thanks for all the input, especially the other brands. I will pass along to my friend, and see what he wants to do.

As usual the help on this board is great!

Sincerely
Bert Nagy

Believe it or not, I use one of my open water flats rods ... HS9000. I think it does a very good job. This is a hotshot blank, originally designed for salmon/steelhead fishing. Funny that a blank designed for the Pacific Northwest, is my favorite Florida fishing rod. BTW, I can promise you that it WILL pull your fish up from the bottom - with power to spare.

I'm with Bob, the MHX SJ843 would be a good one for this and it's available in 3 options: original series, High Mod series or all white.

I've been catching Largemouth up to 13lbs. on worms and Senkos in 40' of water for years on a popping rod rated for 1/4 - 1/2oz. lures.