Hello!

I have a customer requesting a catfish rod. His specs are a little outside my realm of expertise so I would like some extra advice. Some searching past posts showed lots of blanks in the 9 foot range, but not the longer ones that are being requested. I mainly build bass/panfish and light fly rods. The rod will use a conventional reel. He is very concerned with durability. I am favoring mod-fast blanks of a fiberglass/graphite blend since I have found them quite forgiving.

He is wanting:
1. 10 to 11 foot surf rod blank. He has used a trimmed RX7 SU1264F and really liked it. He has sent me a link to a couple Black Hole rods with similar specs (Cape Cod and Surf II). I am looking at the Thrasher rods Whip as well. It seems like these rods are going to be overloaded a good bit throwing weights a couple ounces outside the recommendation. I build 90% of my rods on MHX and have no experience with any of these.
2. The guides he is asking for is Fuji Concept Double-Foot Reverse Surf Rod Guides Model LC. I have not used these. I have never had any issues with Fuji guides and love my Alconites. Any reason I cannot use these for the entire guide train?

My main concern is the blank and guides as those are likely the main points of failure. Anyone built similar rods that could share some insight?

Thanks!