Searching for a spinning blank to make fairly long casts off a dock using 1/2 - 3/4oz blade baits: target is 4 - 10lb lake trout in 4' - 8' of water. I'm leaning toward a 7' or longer blank (distance), and probably MH power, but not sure of what type of blank (MB, SJ, etc.).

Many thanks!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2020 12:04PM by Mike Canavan.

Select a blank power that has lure weight recommendations that match your expected lure weights. This will ensure that the rod will load properly for those lures, and will cast most efficiently. The longer the blank, the longer the casts. For blades and similar techniques I think a moderate/fast action is best. For snapping off the bottom, whether blades or small swimbaits on bullet head jigs, you want the action to be right for following the lure back to the bottom with a little tension on the line, not a slack line. In my experience, for blades and similar, a med/light power, mod/fast action gets this done the best.

REVIP70ML-SB
Inshore / sea trout /

7' 6-12 1/8-3/8 0.390 5.0 M-Fast 1.7oz ML
1
$60.38

This is the blank I like the best for what you are looking for.

I use a 1/2 oz blades a lot for walleyes and smallmouths. My favorite blanks are MHX Mag XF 2 power. I have not used it, but I would think that the MB863XF-MHX would work great for blades up to 3/4 oz.

Blade baits are a little funny. They have treble hooks but you need enough power in the blank to work the bait. I like soft tips of the Mag XF blanks to help keep fish hooked, but still have backbone to fish the bait.

Thank you very much, I'll check those blanks out!

Michael, I was actually looking at the Revelation popping blanks earlier, esp. the 7'6 (thinking longer casts) REVIP76M-SB. Would the REVIP70ML or REVIP76ML handle 1/2 - 3/4oz blades ok? Thanks again

I hae made a couple using the RodGeeks C473MHXS and does a great job. I have built using SC5MXF and a couple with MHX and the RodGeeks perform the best.

See you on the water, Doug
Captain Paddlefoot

Thank you Doug, that RODgeeks blank sounds great, especially for the heavier sizes, I may give it a try!

Mike, regarding the REV IP76ML, I think it's not powerful enough for the 3/4 weight you want to cast. Pick a blank that has a recommended lure weight that more closely matches what you want to cast. Looks like the MH is best for casting, but I wonder if it might be too stiff to get a good snapping action. I'd lean to the M. If you get too stiff with this technique you will get a "too stiff" feel on the snap and loose line on the drop. Hard to explain, but you want some give, not a "broomstick".

I have the 7 foot ML and it;s clearly not right for casting weights up to 3/4.

If you use the Fuji KLH guide train KL20H, 10H, 5.5M reduction train and braid 15 or lighter you'll be able to cast blades a mile. KB and KT runners, whatever size you prefer. I'd go with 5's. Use the KW software on the Anglers Resource site.

Thanks again Michael - I'm giving the C473MHXS Rodgeeks blank a try, I know what you mean about bumping up to a heavier power when using 3/4oz lures. I have built a couple MB843 blanks for spinning and they also work well, but they're a bit stiff tip-wise. Thanks for the Fuji guide recommendation also, I use it all the time! Appreciated