Hey Guys,

I'm lookin to build a personal rod for throwing 4-5 in. Tubes

I like the 6'8 or 6'9 lenth MH F/XF rods I've fished. I like to build the rod around the Reel persay. It's a Sustain 2500. be using 8-10 pnd. Fluoro.
I'd like to keep the blank around 100$ or so so I can put better componants on it and not break my budget. Of coarse keeping it light as possible.

Any Suggestions welcome

Thanks Rick

I am a big MHX fan..... I would build on the HM-MB843-MHX .... my 2 cents

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

Hi Rick,
The high modulus MHX blanks are really good value for your dollar. I've built on the blank that Don suggested and it's very nice and very light. Mines built with a cork spilt grip, micros and a CI4 Stradic 4000. Might be a bit heavy for what you want. You could go to the HM-SJ841 or 2 MHX. All under the $100. Give Todd Vivian a call at Mudhole and he will set you straight for what you need. You also get the great transferable warranty.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hi Rick,

Give the new American Tackle Bushidos a look. They are one of the finest blanks on the market and have been over looked by many but we are seeing a large number of elite builders switching to this new line. The feedback we are receiving is that they are a step above and beyond and what they have used before. They offer a technique specific selection of light weight performance & durability oriented blanks with aggressive pricing. Might look at our SB69/6-10, or SB69/10-15 (for a heavier model). We also have several other styles such as Spin Jig etc. offered in 6’ 8” lengths.

[www.americantackle.us]

Best Regards,

Darrin Heim
American Tackle Company

The Batson RX8 XSB802.75 and XSW68MX are very nice 6'8' MXF blanks. For guides I'd suggest Pac Bay Minima4 guides that many of the top builders on this site use for light weight, reasonably priced guides. Utmost Enterprises has great service and generally offers discounts off MSRP and they can also get the MInima4's for you.

Rick,

Like Don said, I would lean toward a 1/4-3/4oz. mag bass blank. When you start adding lead to those larger tubes, they get pretty heavy pretty fast, and the blanks with softer tips won't crawl them through cover as easily as the mag bass blank. I love the RX8+S823 for tubes up to 4" with less than 1/4oz. of lead, but beyond that I reach for a 1/4-3/4oz. mag bass blank. I would consider either trimming an MB843 from the butt or extending an MB783 a couple inches if the total length is critical for you.

Another option would be a slight tip trim on the 802.75, but check multiple times before you cut, because it won't take much of a trim to kill one of those blanks.

Joe

Rick,
give me a call here at Mud Hole and I can set you up with the perfect MHX blank to fill your needs. The MHX line (over 300 models) has application specific models for virtually every need.

Regards,
Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

You might want to contact Alex D. at Hydra also. I have built several and they are really good blanks, high mod, super light and strong, Made in U.S.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

along with the MHX blanks mentioned above I'd take a look at the Lamiglas XMG 50 popping blanks, LP843 and 844. I built an XMG LP842 for 3" tubes and it's super light, sensitive, and very fast actioned. I'd also take a good look at what Phenix has to offer in the UMBX line, which also a very light and very sensitive line of blanks.

If you want "better components" like you mentioned don't even consider minima guides. Don't get me wrong, they are decent guides and good for a budget build when you want to save $$. Titanium framed SiC or alconites are the way to go IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback fellas

I have a MHX 7'3 mh f micro casting rod a guy made for me a few years ago that I really like to fish. Are the high mods that much better? This was made on the regular MHX and is pretty light and sensative!!

David I keep trying to look up Hydra blanks with no luck. Could you possibly e-mail me the number or web site?

I'll definetally check out the XMG to thanks Matt!!

Thanks again Rick

Rick,

Alex is still working on the revamp to his site. You can get ahold of him at the following email and phone number. He's a great guy with some very nice blanks.

Contacting Us while the new site is under construction:
We're still available while the website is being upgraded! Please email us at info@hydrafishing.com or call us at 803.645.5392.

Joe