Does anyone have experience with70 xl l ml m Rainshadow Live Bait series and compare them to the 700xl l ml m Calstar Grafighters in terms of action power and castability when in use?

I have held and flexed them side by side. They are rather close making the rainshadow a great deal.

I'd say the calstar was a little stronger in the butt , a little softer in the tip, and a bit faster (quicker lockup). It was a nicer blank but not that much better considering the price difference. I was comparing the 8 foot models. I went with the rainshadow as did a friend.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

What lb test line do you regularly use for the rod models you own?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/2014 08:53AM by wes morikawa.

I use 8KG class line....17# actual breaking strength.....for the rclb80xl. Count on about a 5# increase for each increase in model strenght. I have a 70ml that I use as a genral purpose 30# class trolling rig (but you could fish 40 on it).

A lot depends on how you will use it. In my area, live bait means a decent sized bait and no weight. In your waters it could mean a smaller bait fished with lead attached.

The blank has a soft tip. Not well suited to bottom fishing IMHO. But it has surprising strength in the butt. I wouldn't feel undergunned against a 50 pound tuna or a 100 pound sailfish (talking xl model again).

What are you looking to do? I might be of more help if I knew the what, how, and where of the situation,

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks for the info

Hello Wes -

I have used the RCLB70XL and RCLB70L extensively. I build them into kayak rods (both casting and spinning) for general purpose live bait and for throwing plugs / poppers. These blanks are light, strong, and have proven nearly indesttructable. While I originally started using them thinking I was going after Kings off the beach in the Gulf, I quickly found out that they were capable of handling just about anything you throw at them. I have caught sharks to 7' on the RCB70XL paired with a Garcia Revo Toro 61 spooled iwth 50# braid. This rig feels about like a flipping rod set up but will throw YoZuri Hydro Tigers or the big Sebile Magic Swimmers a long way with great results. Really fun to catch sharks on a popper out of the kayak...just not fun having to unhook them boatside to save your popper!

They are a fast action with a lock down point about 2/3 of the way up the blank. I would agree with Russell that they feel materially similar to a Grafighter with the exception that maybe the Grafiighters (which are great blanks) lock down a little higher up the blank and don't flex quite as far down under heavy load. The Graphiters are also a more level taper down around the seat grip area whereas the RCLBs have fairly aggressive taper for the entire length of the blank. That being said, you can still fit a size 20 palm support casting seat or size 20 NPS spinning seat right where it needs to be (in my opinion) on either the XL or L.

I have not had any Grafighters through the shop in a while mostly because of these blanks. They compare very favorably and are very high value (cheap in price) from sponsors at the left like Utmost. My only observation is that the transition from carbon to fiberlass is very visible in these blanks...almost like a color change. It doesn't bother me at all but just be aware. I'll post a few pics to show the rods in action and hopefully that will hellp. Good luck!

Bill

P.S. Pics posted - search Rainshadow Live Bait Blank or RCLB70L and you should find them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2014 04:45PM by Bill Falconer.

Thanks a lot for the info