Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm looking at building a 5'9" vertical jigging rod for walleyes for myself and two guys I spend most of my time on the water with. I've read through many pages using the search function on here and I think I've made my mind up on the Rainshadow IMMW62MXF. I say I think, because I'm not 100% sure and was looking for some feedback from the great builders that contribute so much information on this site. I fish mostly lakes and use 1/8 to 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a minnow and will be fishing either vertical or on a slow troll in that 0.6 to 0.8 mph range and snap jigging.

My only real concern is will this blank be a bit too stout with 1/8 oz jigs? The lure weight rating shows 3/16 to 5/8 oz. but I figure the 1/8 oz. jig tipped with a minnow should put me in that range. Is there a different blank I should be considering? It's difficult finding a shorter blank with an extra fast tip and since I'm going to 5'9" I didn't think taking a 6'6" blank or something like that and then cutting 9" off the back was a great idea but I don't know a fraction of what most you on here do so that's why I'm asking. I may be way over thinking this but I just want to hit a home run on the rods more so for my friends than myself.

Here's what I have figured for these builds:
Rainshadow IMMW62MXF (cutting 5" off the back)
6" rear grip
Fuji DPSM 17 seat
2.5" fore grip
Pac Bay Minnima M 16, 8 and 5 for the reduction guides (Titanium TiBlack)
Pac Bay Minnima F 5's for the runners (Titanium Ti Black)
Fuji Tip Top F size 6 (Black Alconite)

Any feedback/constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

The blank that you have selected will likely work out just fine. The diameter of the tip is a 4 and in conjunction with the extra fast action, should have a soft enough tip to be able to read your jig very well.
But, a couple of other options below.


--

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

The 6'2" would work pretty well, but it is a touch stiff.
p.s. I would not trim any from the butt. I would leave it at 6'2"

This blank:
REVS62ML ---------------- [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

In the medium light would work well. If you trim it, I would go no shorter than 6'.

---------
p.p.s.
I would also forget about using any fore grip. Rather, just use a rubber or vinly button that covers the front of the reel seat. No need for the fore grip and then you can have your finger directly on the rod blank.

If you are running braid, the guide selection is fine. If you are going to run mono, then I would make the first guide a 20, rather than a 16.

p.p.p.s
The length of the rod is somewhat determined by the width of the fishing boat you are using. If , using a narrower boat, like one with a 78" width, the 5'9" can work. But, if you use one of the wider boats that are 90 inches wide, folks generally find that they don't like to use any rod shorter than 6' or 6'2".




Good luck

St. Croix 3S59MXF.

Roger, thanks for your suggestions and input. Maybe I will consider going with the REV62ML.

The reason for the fore grip would be how I prefer to hold the rod. I hold the rod with my hand completely in front of the reel, my pinky and ring finger are on the front hood of the reel seat (my reel seat would be up locking), not sure why, that's just how I've always held it. I know my friends hold back more on the reel seat so I could probably forego the fore grip on their rods and do like you suggested.

If I up the stripper guide to the 20 should I then go 20, 10 and 5?

The beam on my main boat is 95" , I also have a little ditch dumper that's only 60" and my buddies boat is 72" , pretty much fish equally out all of them, depends what lake we're going to for which rig we take. My favorite jigging rod I currently own is 5 '4" . I will say that it is a touch short but just love jigging with that rod. That was my theory behind coming up with the 5'9" length just to get a little longer.

Again, I really appreciate your input!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2019 03:26AM by Ryan Anderson.

Spencer, thanks for the suggestion, I looked at Mud Hole and Anglers Workshop but don't see that blank available anymore. I would prefer to order from either of those two places or Get Bit to take advantage of my wholesale accounts.

Ryan,
The blank is in their catalog, so it would seem tbey could get them maybe from Rod Geeks, if they don't have one stashed in the back they didn't list in the catalog.

Roger, your pps and ppps offered some nice insite. Thanks.

I'm with Roger on this one, We use 3/4 oz jigs on that blank Rainshadow IMMW62MXF