6-6ish. Extra fast. For hair jigs. 3/16 lightest, 5/16 heaviest baits are what I use. I want sensitive. Max of 6'9 finished rod. I have the equipment to cut down a blank if I need.

I'd like to keep it around $150-175 max

Point Blank. 661MLF, they have 6-9 also. You'll love it. Contact Angler's Resource for more info.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2020 07:25PM by Lynn Behler.

I should add that my current rod is built on a nfc hm663 and I feel like it doesnt have enough umph on a hard hook set.

I agree with Lynn, try the PointBlank PB661MLF. It is both faster (AA 76 vs AA 74) and more powerful (IP 505 gm vs 402 gm) than the NFC MB663 HM. It also weighs less (1.41 oz vs 1.80 oz). Great hook setting power.
Norm

How does the 69mxf compare? A 5/16 head, hair, and a pork trailer may be a little over 1/2 oz.

I also like having power to muscle a thick hair jig through wind and under trees (hence the shorter length)

So that would be 1/2 oz. then.! 691 MLXF. My opinion. Wait for more responses.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2020 09:16PM by Lynn Behler.

The PB69MXF has an AA = 76 degrees, IP = 580 gm, and wgt = 1.81 gm
The PB691MLXF has an AA = 77 degrees, IP = 513 gm, and wgt = 1.58 gm
Both are great blanks, and both will easily throw over a 1/2 oz.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The PB69MXF has an AA = 76 degrees, IP = 580 gm,
> and wgt = 1.81 gm
> The PB691MLXF has an AA = 77 degrees, IP = 513 gm,
> and wgt = 1.58 gm
> Both are great blanks, and both will easily throw
> over a 1/2 oz.
> Norm

X3. Great Blanks

One thing about the Point Blanks is that because of their XF action (strong, long, butt with responsive lighter tip) they have an ability to cast a wider range of lure weights than most other blanks. I have built two 691MLF's and they easily cast 1/2 and higher AND the lighter weights.

How is the hook setting power on the ml? I like the tip of my NFC mb663, but I just feel totally undergunned setting the hook into a 20" coldwater smallmouth

I caught a 35” redfish on my PB691MLXF using an unweighted soft plastic top water jerk bait. The rod has also caught a fair number of 4 to 5 pound large mouths. Never felt under gunned.
Norm

Son uses two 691MLF's built as casting rods, lots of big smb, has not reported any problems setting hooks. I built the second because he liked the first so much.

I ordered one each of the ml and medium. Naturally the next day nfc x Ray's go on sale for 135 shipped. Are the point blanks in the same class as the x ray, or should I cancel the pb order?

Edit. Double post



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2020 01:29PM by josh keller.

Both are both excellent blanks, both are high end but feel differently in hand. I own both the Xrays and the PBs, and prefer the PBs. Just my personal opinion, others may disagree.
Norm

Built both rods and I prefer the medium cut down to 6ft4.. At full length, I think the ml would have been better. Now I'm confident in tossing a hair jig in a shoreline eddy under trees and getting a bass out of it quickly. Thanks guys!