How do the CRB blanks compare to the MHX blanks, and also, what would be your go to Rainshadow blank for crankbait fishing for bass.

Rainshadow Judge crank bait blank - Made in the USA as well…

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

Don't know anything about CRB but can vouch for either of the Rainshadow crankbait series. Both the REVCB and JDGCB series are crank bait specific with plenty of options in power and length.............and price.

If the power and action meets your needs than who's blank it is has little value. That's why so many people are perfectly happy with glass, composite, and various types of graphite rods throwing the same things. I love my Seeker BS706S custom for cranks and other things and my G Loomis P844 GLX custom also gets the job done. Worry about characteristics, not who made it and out of what.

The original 5’6” -7’ blanks in the CRB color series are blanks I recall seeing offered by at least one other vendor years ago with specs that matched across the board. I suspect they started as a line produced by one of the manufacturers on the left that was intended to be used as a house line of entry level general purpose blanks. However over the years the CRB line has expanded and includes much more which may be in-house designs and/or blanks from multiple sources.

The only CRBs I’ve built on are the little 5’6” model. It makes for a great little panfish rod. None of that original line are what I would consider technique specific blanks, but if the action and power fits the bill, they are quality standard modulus blanks.

The MHX blanks are technique specific and are great mid-modulus blanks at a great price.

Like Spencer I’m partial to the Seeker blank and a Lamiglas 6702 that was new old stock from the late 60s for cranks. That said the Rainshadow blanks are very nice as well.

What size cranks are you throwing?

I have built on a lot of both the CRB and MHX blanks, and I find the CRB blanks to be a great value. As noted above they may not be as technique specific as some higher priced blanks, but they are a lot of bang for the buck. I have also been happy with MHX blanks. They are more expensive than the CRB blanks but have more options and are a bit more refined. I cannot comment on the Rainshadow blanks, as I have never built on one. Good luck.

CRB is, as stated abvove, a great value but I find the MHX and rainshadow are both excellent choices. I have built on all three, but only use CRB when the customer chooses them based upon price alone.

While I certainly agree with Spencer that the characteristics of the blank are what counts, there is a reason I and others build on the blanks from the manufacturers that they do. Trust. Trust that the blank will be quality built. And that trust has a lot of value. At least it does to me.

There aren't many things more disappointing in rod building than opening a package and finding that the blank has quality issues. I have limited experience when it comes to buying blanks, but I'm never worried about blank quality when I've ordered a Rainshadow blank.

Species specific rods are the result of personal recommendation, not physical characteristics. Find a source you would like to agree with and go ahead.

I have built with all three and would recommend the MHX and/or Batson; however, I have built a few rods on the color series blanks. I have found them to be great value. I have a favorite little speckled trout rod that I fish with more than anything else on a Color Series blank.