I need to build a couple of rods for a friend of mine. He is giving me two outboard motors in trade. He will be fishing rockfish, blues, and false albacore. Maybe a red fish every now and then. He is a bigger guy, so I'm guessing longer would be better. He also wants casting distance, probably going with Fuji K guides. As far as a blank goes, just looking for suggestions. I want a nice blank, but it needs to be durable. It may get slammed around a little, unless I make them really nice. I was thinking along the lines of a composite, maybe some of the RodGeeks composites or others. One will be casting, round Abu Garcia and one will be spinning. I might just give him my Penn Clash 5000. I am open on pricing ideas, but I would like to get the most for my money.

Is this a boat or surf rod?

I suspect "sensitivity" in this case means the same thing as "feeling", and the feeling we look for from a fishing rod is produced by the movement of the rod. The rod can't amplify feeling, only transmit it by movement. The lighter the rod the less energy it takes to move its mass and the more "feeling" is possible. I can not imagine what else beside less weight could make a rod more sensitive.

American tackle blanks - LS76-12/25 or LS76 - 20/40 should do the trick.

American tackle blanks - LS76-12/25 or LS76 - 20/40 should do the trick.

From RainShadow Rod Blanks we’d recommend our RX6 Graphite / E-Glass lineup:

RCKJB 700-112 - 7’ 1-piece, 15-30lb. Medium Action and ML Power
RCKJB 700-250 - 7’ 1-piece, 30-50lb. Medium Action and MH Power

These will be boat rods. They will probably have a soft gimble at well

I'd have to agree with Captain craig. The bushido blanks are great for salt species. I use the 12/25 for bass and blues and the 8/15 for albies with spin reels. The Rainshadow knife jigging blanks James recommends are my favorite for conventional fishing. Check them out. Good luck. MH

Are the Bushido blanks durable? There all carbon, just worried about that. All of the suggestions look great. Are The RX6/glass a composite?

There is a Lamiglas composite blank on sale at Mudhole, the CCB847, was used in the BS725S, Black Salt series of rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2016 10:37AM by Spencer Phipps.

Rainshadow RCLB series. I built a RCLB 70 XL that I use for fishing 1/2 day to overnight night boats here on the west coast. It's handled everything from small bass to 25 lb yellow fin. Very durable and sensitive for fly lining live bait. Nice price too. Also look at Phenix M1 inshore series, I've heard a lot of good thing about those.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2016 05:10AM by Frank Summers.

I am looking more and more into the RCLB. It is a composite and as Frank says it is durable. How are the MHX Saltwater composites?

Can't argue with the durability of the rainshadow blanks. The bushido are durable as well. I use in my kayak, beach casting and boat. I build them for my customers and they have nothing but good things to say about them. You've been presented with several good options. They're all worth a look. Tight lines, MH

Correct the RX6/E-Glass is a composite. Durable RX6 graphite in the butt with an E-Glass tip.
The RCKJB, and even moreso the RCLB, are quite popular in Southern Cal as they’re both durable and sensitive and at a nice price point.


John Keough Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are the Bushido blanks durable? There all carbon,
> just worried about that. All of the suggestions
> look great. Are The RX6/glass a composite?

Well just ordered from getbit.com. 1 RCLB80XL and 1 RCLB80L, I'm sure after talking with my buddy, these will be perfect. Putting Alps guides all the way up.