I am interested in some peoples opinions on their favorite high end blanks. I build a lot of my offshore rods and have started to build my own inshore rods. However I am more picky about my inshore rods. Over the years I have found that in the production rod world the St. Croix legend series best matches what I look for a in a rod. My most used rod is a 6-12lb rod medium power and fast action (I find St. Croix fast action is faster than most and I like it). What are some specific blanks or just brands you would recommend to me that I would not just want to pick up my legends I already have. I ordered a RODgeeks carbon 4 to see how it feels but want to know what other blanks I should try.

Thanks

I built on a Bushido blank and I love it,plan on building more in the future. I also really like the NFC blanks. Rodgeeks seems good as well but I have yet to build on one. The other blanks I have built are rainshadow and MHX. All are good and have their place!!

The American Tackle Bushido blanks are very nice.

Capt. Craig Freeman
Grading Scales Sportfishing and Back River Rods

How do the bushido blanks compare in terms of power and lure weight? I am typically throwing lures under 1/4 oz on rods that are 7', 6-12lb, and a ML to M power. The only blanks I see that are rated for lures under 1/4oz are L power. Would you say that there is just a discrepancy in the rating systems or do they not make a blank that matches that application?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2020 12:59PM by Brett Mahoney.

The NFC saltwater blanks cast a light lure pretty good, I cast down to a 1/16 oz jig head with a P-703-1 (Lambda LMX) medium light, fast blank. I have found that a 7'6" ML blank will also do it a little better.

As I have mentioned before, I personally like the Point Blanks. The have very fast actions with plenty of power in the biutt section. Any of these blanks in the ML to M power would work great for what you want. One of my favorite inshore rods is built on the PB731MXF. It is more powerful and faster than the St Croix MF.
Norm

Point blank are one of the ones I am considering just was interested on how they stack up against a bushido that is half the price. Price is not that limiting for this situation as I just want what will give me the best overall feel. I don't want to build a rod thats not up to the standards I am used to and end up not using it.

Right Now I am considering the PB701MF, IMMP70ML, and SJ72/6-12. Unfortunately I don't live where I can get my hands on any of these blanks to feel them out so the internet is where I have to try and figure all this out haha



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2020 04:28PM by Brett Mahoney.

I have built on all of the blanks you have listed and they are all very nice, and will work extremely well. My favorite is the Point Blank, but that is personal preference and thus just my opinion. Different people have different likes and dislikes. The PB701MF is more powerful than the other two, and is also lighter, Whether or not this justifies the higher cost is debatable. As with everything there is a diminishing return between price and function. This is something you have to figure out for yourself. If you are going to the Expo you can feel and wiggle all of these blanks plus others.
Norm

Brett, ratings are subjective, not objective, for almost all blank manufacturers. You can go nuts trying to correlate between brands. I don't even try any more. However, Point Blank publishes CCS numbers in addition to their subjective ratings. This is a definite advantage when you start taking your own CCS data for all the blanks you build, then can better relate how different blanks perform and what you want to order next to either match what you have built or cover new ground.

I love the Point Blanks I've built. I also think the Bushidos are a good value, but only the magbass Bushidos could be compared to the type of action Point Blanks have. Point Blanks are unique as far as I can tell, when you consider all aspects of their performance. I like the fact that there is no taper in the butt where you will build the seat and grips, too. Contact Anglers REsource (left margin by email) to get guidance on which of their blanks fits what you are trying to do.

On the American tackle blanks, look at the MB and CB lines as well. I throw 1/8-3/8 in the salt for specks, pups, rock, and flounder. I like the MB73/8-15, SJ72/6-12, CB72/6-12 and CB72/8-15 depending on the type of lure. For just lead heads I like the MB and SJ. For lipless and lipped cranks, I like the CB's

Capt. Craig Freeman
Grading Scales Sportfishing and Back River Rods



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2020 12:16PM by Capt. Craig Freeman.

Which blanks (if any) do you find work well for plug/spoon casting AND fishing bait off the beach?