Planning a rod for a bonefishing trip to the Bahamas, and solicit your thoughts. What 8 weight blank do you like that is fast, but not extra fast? I can double haul, but I like a rod with some sensitivity and action down into the blank.

CTS Affinity X.

Batson RX-7 or revolution

Kevin Gross
Many men will spend their whole life wondering if they made a difference. Marines dont have that problem - Ronald Regan

The Rainshadow RX7 should be a line to look into.

I'm with Spencer, CTS Affinity X.

I would say Beulah Opal available this summer from at least Anglers Workshop or Rainshadow eternity 2: tackletour.com/previewbatsonflyeternityrods.html

Go with the Batson Rainshadow Eternity2. With bones your going to want to just pick up an cast no false casting cause your going to spook the fish.

I recently had the good fortune of winning a Facebook contest and scoring a Batson Revelation fly blank (and some very cool Team Rainshadow swag!) for free. I had my choice of the entire Revelation fly line up and I chose the 9' 4-piece #8. Granted I have only test cast the blank to test guide set up, but I am very, very impressed with the blank so far. Has plenty of muscle for both casting and lifting but has more feel than the old RX8 blanks. It is definitely the best Batson fly blank I have ever used and I liked the RX8s a lot.

Physically it is a very light blank with a very small diameter for a #8...feels like a #5. And as is typical on most curent Batson blanks, the butt section has a very level taper in the handle mounting area. Makes reaming a breeze.

The finish is a very tough matte black. Had to go to green scotch brite to scuff the area where I mounted the seat and grip...both grey and maroon were no match for the finish. Overlap on the ferrules is identical on all three joints...trimming of the blank is very square. It definitely shows all the careful fit and finish of a very high end blank. I don't usually apply the stickers / graphics provided by the manufacturer but Rainshadow has updated their graphics and this labeling looks both good and appropriate for the blank, so I'm gonna roll with it.

I am building as fast as I can to get this thing ready for a trip in the kayak next weekend. Will post some pics and a report (hopefully with fish pictures!) after that trip.

You will be casting in the wind, without doubt. The wind will quickly demonstrate the benefits of a fast action blank. The Temple Forks BVK 8wt. blank is affordable and a casting fool. You might look at the Yellowstone 8 wt. shootout for expert opinions.

TFO - BVK or Mangrove.

Get them while we still have some!
[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

Here is a review:
[www.tackletour.com]

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Rainshadow Eternity 2 if cost is no issue, Pac Bay Quickline if cost is an issue (look around, Pac Bay prices seem to vary more than most others). Quicklines compare well with the old Rainshadow RX 8. A little faster than RX8 based on my CCS of both. Both are wonderful blanks. Don't worry about going too "fast." I have to admit I'm not familiar with some of the blanks suggested. But one thing I really like in a blank is a gloss finish. They just look so much better. Also, little screwups wtih epoxy don't show as much.