Hi All,

I am new to this forum so hello to all.

I am about to build a casting rod. I am thinking about using a HMX MB843-W-MHX blank. This is a 7' fast, medium/heavy blank made for spinner baits, pitching and pig/jig. This is what they call a Mag Taper. I am also considering using a Blend SBB12-BLEND. This is a xfast Medium blank. Made for Sinner Baits, Popping, Live Bait and Jerk Baits.

Most of my fishing is Bass and Pike. Bass in the 3-6lbs and Pike up to 12lbs. I mostly cast spinner baits and lipped baits. I guess you could say most of my fishing is cast and retrieving!

Any advice on the blank choice would be great.

Also thinking of using micro guides? I have been reading a lot online about them. They seem to be getting a lot of traction now. Do you have to place the guides in a spiral pattern if you do use them?

Again thank you for your time! I am looking forward to learning form this website!

Chris

I would go with just about any MHF. I fish mostly Bass and Northern. I use 6'6" mh to 7' mh

Lone Wolf Rods
"Keep your powder dry and your lines wet"
God Bless

MH, as Forrest said, and you can put the micros on anyway you like.

The descriptions of your suggested blanks make sense to me, although I would suggest a call to an expert at Mudhole to discuss the MHX blanks. I've only built one and its description was, in my opinion, off significantly from its true action. It was faster and heavier power-I should have known from the weight, but didn't pick up on it. It was very nice, just somewhat off from what I thought I was getting. The main issue with a casting rod is to have it load properly during the cast with the weight of the lures you'll be casting, so pay attention to that aspect of the blank description. 1/2 oz spinner baits weigh more than 1/2 oz.

If you plan on having knots pass through the guides I think you should go bigger than micros. If not, then they should be fine as long as you don't have a lot of trash in the water that could clog them. I've not had any trouble with that.

I can see no logic for spiral wrapping micros, but I bet I'll get a lot of people who don't agree. Micros are so close to the blank that there will be negligible torque induced when the rod is loaded. Spiral may allow you to use one or two fewer micros, depending on your philosophy on having the line on the blank.

Tell me where to fish bass that start at 3 # :-)

I actually like the MHX blanks. I have built rods with them and St croix cannot tell the difference.

Lone Wolf Rods
"Keep your powder dry and your lines wet"
God Bless

Hi All,

First off let me say thanks for taking the time to respond to my post!

Forrest sounds like you are fishing for the species. I fish mostly Georgian Bay north of Honey Harbour area. I will go with a MHF blank!

Michael thanks for the input on MHX blanks. I will call Mudhole and talk to a sales rep about the blank in am looking at. I like this one mostly because it is white. I want to build what I think is a unique looking rod. I have yet to come across a white one in my group of fishing buddies! I am gong to run Fluorocarbon so I don't need to worry about about knots so much. But your point is well taken for future rods. Yes I said future rods as I don't think this will be a one off build. Next one will be a spinning rod for jigging.

Think I will stick to the traditional placement of guides for my first build.

Thanks for the information guys!

PS Michael flippin dock's in South Bay!

Oh and I will post a pictures of my first build when its done. I am building my wrapper this weekend. I still haven't figured out the dryer yet. I plan on using a BBQ motor I have. Have to figure out the jig set up.

Chris,

I have built 4 or 5 of the Mudhole HMX MB843-W-MHX. I kept one of myself and my customers all love the blank. I find it a great blank for all around bass fishing. It's a great worm and jig rod. A nice sensitive tip with plenty of back bone to bury the hook and get 'em out of the trash. You would not be disappointed with the HMX MB843-W-MHX.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Hi Don,

Thanks that's really good to know. I am definitely picking this blank. Did you happen to use micro guides? Did you use a split grip? I plan to use both. I will be putting together my parts list this weekend.

Hi Don,

Thanks that's really good to know. I am definitely picking this blank. Did you happen to use micro guides? Did you use a split grip? I plan to use both. I will be putting together my parts list this weekend.

Chris:

for the BBQ motor, go to your local hardware store and look for a nail set with a square end. Find one that fits into the recess in the BBQ motor. Using double sided tape, slide the nail set into the butt of the rod and turn :)) worked well for me for a number of rods.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Hi Everyone,

I have a question, probably a dumb one but please keep in mind I am a newbie and only building for personal satisfaction, but what does Mag mean in a Mag Bass Blank? The more I read the more more I am starting to question my blank selection. I am starting to think this MB843-W-MHX is more like a flipping stick an not so good for casting? Am I just plan out WRONG?

Thanks

Hey Chris thanks for the BBQ motor tip! Heading to Rona this weekend.

Chris Tulk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi Don,
>
> Thanks that's really good to know. I am definitely
> picking this blank. Did you happen to use micro
> guides? Did you use a split grip? I plan to use
> both. I will be putting together my parts list
> this weekend.

Chris,

Yes I used: 1 - Fuji CLNAG 8 Butt Guide, 1 Fuji KBAG KR Micro Belly Guide 4.5 mm, 3- KBAG KR Belly Guides, 3- KTAG 4 mm Tip Guides with a Fuji Tip: MCAT, 4.5 Ring-4.5 Tube., Split Grip: RST4T – EVA- 3/8” I.D, Fighting Butt: EVA 2.3” x 0.420” I.D. The guide spacing recommended by Mudhole worked great under static loading so I stayed with it.

It is one of my favorite rods. Enjoy building it and even more.... enjoy fishing it!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Mag is short for magnum...as in the butt of the rod has magnum strength. Typically this is done to give you a soft enough tip to cast but a fast lock up. By lock up I mean where the blank begins to stop flexing easy.

I'm more of a salt water guy so I'll use a "live bait" blank as an example. Imagine the need to cast anything from a (live) small shad to a moderate sized bass. You want a soft enough tip to get the distance you need but also to prevent ripping the bait off the hook. Once the fish strikes, you want the quick lock up to get a secure hookset. Then when the fish is hooked you want the "mag" butt to turn him away from heavy cover.

The mag bass tapers are versitile and will do a lot of things well. If you wanted to have many rods, each dedicated to a single purpose,...like crankbait, drop shot, worm, jig, etc, go for it. Even in that case most would still have a 3 power mag bass blank in the quiver. Rest assured you are not going to be buying a flipping (only) blank.

It is clear you are doing your homework. That is a very wise first step. The blank you have picked represents good value and has the ability to fish a number of styles. I'd say it might be at its best fishing jigs and worms in waters with moderate to heavy cover. Buy it and see how it goes. Later you might decide a "spinner bait specific" blanks is in the cards. For fishing lures with treble hooks you might go with a popping blank or a fiberglass blank.


There isn't one right choice. Different waters, different fisherman, different preferences, different skill levels. Face it, every company employs a lot of high dollar people who's only job is to make us think we most own every model of every rod they offer.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Hey Thanks for the reassurance Russ. I am sticking with it. You have a good point... If it turns out not to be exactly what I thought then I will just have to build another one! Part of my plan anyway.

Hi Don,

Thank you so much for the parts list. Going to look them all up now and try and make sense of it! Being new it gets a bit overwhelming.

Thanks

Can't wait to post pics when it's done!

Chris,

If you have any questions just shoot me an e-mail. Br glad to help you out anyway I can. Also, IMO, that was an excellent posting from Russell Brunt.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com