First some background. I'm a bass angler 98% of the time. I love to throw shallow running square billed crankbaits like the Strike King KVD 1.5 (3/8oz) and 2.5 (5/8 oz). I currently use a rod I built about 10 years ago from a Lamiglas GP963 Popping blank that I shortened to 7' from the butt end. It was one of my very first builds and I love the action and backbone of this rod - it works perfectly for this technique. Unfortunately, Lamiglas no longer makes a blank like the GP963 - I called and asked.

I'd like to build a second rod as similar in action to this one as possible - something in the 7' to 7'6" range. I've been searching for the right blank and I keep coming back to the St Croix Avid 3C70MM. I had a rod built on the 3C66MM blank years ago and it was pretty much a whippy stick which is why I keep hesitating. I want a graphite blank because I've had wrist and shoulder surgery and need to keep the physical weight of the rod as low as possible.

Any input would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Jim

Yes great blank for cranking medium and a moderate cant beat that for 1.5 kvd

Get hold of Lance Dupre at Swampland Tackle (on the left) He'll fix you up with the right Seeker blank.

Jim,

I use an MHX CB 845 and a Lamiglass CCB 844 (Composite) for moving baits on Guntersville. I have a Seeker 706 (S Glass) but have found it does not do as well in the grass as the other 2. The Seeker is a great rod, but the other 2 handle the grass better, in my opinion.

Bert Nagy

You might find that moving up to the St Croix 3C70MHM is a solid solution. I have one that is used for inshore crankbaits and I like it very much.

Check the sponsors to the left that carry Lamiglas blanks. They may have an IP 903 or 843 around, IM 700 versions of your blank, yours was G 1000 material. They are recently discontinued models I believe.

Bert Nagy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jim,
>
> I use an MHX CB 845 and a Lamiglass CCB 844
> (Composite) for moving baits on Guntersville. I
> have a Seeker 706 (S Glass) but have found it does
> not do as well in the grass as the other 2. The
> Seeker is a great rod, but the other 2 handle the
> grass better, in my opinion.
>
> Bert Nagy

Bert,

I seldom throw square bills around the grass, so I not sure that's an appropriate solution for this situation. However, if we can get together I'd love to try them out, expeciallhy the MHX. Merry Christmas to you and Laura. Please let us know next time you are in the Guntersville area.

Jim Gamble - I already own both 3C70MHM and 3C70HM rods. The MHM is a great rod, but not my preference for this specific technique.

Good idea, Spencer.

Thanks for the input, fellows. Keep it coming.