Hello, I am wondering what blank would be good for trolling with bottom bouncers. I am very new to rod building and I am trying to soak up as much info as possible. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance! -Mark

Basically a medium heavy fast action 7' blank works very well.

Are you talking pulling bouncers like walleye trolling? A lot of the guys I build for that type prefer a softer rod, and the heavier power popping blanks work well, depending on how much weight they want to pull.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

Take a look at the MHX downrigger series. Nice soft actions, plenty of power, pulling bottom bouncers behind either big boards or inlines made easy. Easy on the pocketbook, and unbeatable warranty.

Thanks guys! Is 7' the most common length? Thanks again!

I think 7' is the most common but any length will work. I've used my MH bass rods all the way to my fiberglass planer board rods and they all work it just depends on how you fish. If you are going to hold the rod I would suggest a lighter graphite rod in the 6.5-7' in fast action but if you are going to put the rod in holders then I like a moderate action rod that loads up well before I remove the rod. I have a medium action that works well for 1.5oz bouncers and under but 2oz plus I would go with MH.

Joe

What company/companies are the best for blank selection.( I may be blind, also the fact that I am very new to rod building) I couldn't find a MH 7' rod in the mhx brand... Also, how do I get my hands on paper catalogs. I'm a touch on the old school side, and I cannot seem to be able to find anything on these 'online' catologs. My head spins. ????

Look at the MHX Downrigger series. They are glass blanks, so very durable which is good because trolling rods tend to get knocked around sometimes. DR845-MHX is a 7' 12-25# glass blank. DR1024-MHX is the 8'6" two piece 10-20#. These all have a very soft medium power. They load up nice and absorb wave action softly. Mudhole has free catalogs.

One other consideration is whether the user will be using inline planer boards? If so, longer rods will get the line up higher, resulting in more sideways travel of the inline boards.

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate the information! Like I said, I'm a novice rod builder and I am glad that everyone is so helpfull!
Thanks again! -Mark Gerth

Mark,
you can order the Mud Hole catalog here.

[www.mudhole.com]

regards,

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

We have a full line and multiple series of rod blanks as well. Check us out: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
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