Has anyone built a rod using a new Rainshadow RX10 blank? Any opinions about this blank?

Disclaimer: I work at Batson so my opinion may be a bit biased.
But, I have actually fished most of the models now. I've been swiping the show rods two at a time from Bill's office and taking them to my local bass lake. Is there specific input you were seeking? I'll try to give you my honest opinions as an angler...

-Geoff at Batson

I recently finished (and fished) an ETES72MSS, a 7 foot 2 in spin blank. It feels and fishes like a premium blank. Fortunately I was able to try it on a number of very nice smallmouths. I repeatedly tested it and found the CCS numbers to be a little higher on power than than published and significantly higher on AA-I really don't think this is a 75 degree blank. Based on my experience it is light for its power. I used the Fuji KLH setup KLH16-8-5.5M with two titanium KB4's and 4 titanium KT4's topped with an Arowana SIC tiptop. It is typical of an extra fast action in being able to comfortably and easily cast a wide range of lure weights, going well below its rated 1/4 low end. I'm using 15 pound test braid on it. I wonder if Rainshadow intended to replicate the proportions of the Point Blank series because this blank is quite close. I hope I don't have to find out whether it is as tough as Point Blanks, which are very tough based on one abusive incident I had with one. It will be one of my favorite rods.

Any reason why Batson hasn't put any info about these on the rainshadow website?

I'd be interested in trying out the new RX10's but Batson never seems to offer the blanks I would be interested in , in the 8 foot length unless I'm mistaken . Everything I see maxes out at 7'6" at least in the models I'm interested in, (Inshore saltwater). There is a HUGE difference in feel and performance between the 7'6" and 8 foot lengths . Every blank I have built in the 7'6" length just does not work for me the 8 footers work fantastic.

I've built on one of the new RX10 blanks. I built a spinning rod using the ETEC72M blank. I built the rod for throwing tubes for smallmouth bass. I did a little write up about the rod in an earlier thread on this site. This is a link to that post in the thread [www.rodbuilding.org]

I built the rod with a split rear grip, a Forecast skeleton reel seat, and Fuji T2 titanium guides.

The new 2022 catalog supplement has the info

[batsonenterprises.com]

Bill spoke to this based on a question asked in today’s BlankTalk. He indicated that given these are very sensitive blanks, the techniques fished with them tend to be done with shorter blanks. He didn’t rule out a 7-10 (they’ve moved the 8’ to 7-10 due to shipping cost issues). Let them hear your applications and demand…. I’m sure it’s all a matter of business case of how much quantity of that specific blank would be sold

I completely forgot about the shipping cost factor for 8 foot blanks that's a very good point. I think a 7'10" RX 10 would work for me . I contacted Batson a while back and asked about why their inshore higher modulus blanks max out at 7'6" and if they ever considered upping the lure weight rating to like 1/2 - 2 or 3/4 - 3 ounce and they said they don't think they would sell many in those ratings . Fair enough

I'm extremely familiar with the St. Croix inshore saltwater blanks in the M and MH power ratings with lure weight ranges in the 1/2 - 2 ounce or 3/4 - 3 ounce ratings and I never found any Batson blanks over 7'6" in length with those heavier lure ratings . If they decide to come out with a 7'10" length RX 10 I'll jump on it and give it a whirl .

Chris, I don't have one but from everything I have read I think you might want to look at the Suzuki (black hole 801L). 8 foot, 1/2 to 2 ounce, 10-20#, 3.2 ounce weight. Supposedly with some serious balls. Could be right up your alley.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks Russ , I'm very familiar with the Black Hole rods and I'm just not a fan . Appreciate the thought though.

Any RX10 fly rods coming?

Did you check out the RX10 rods used by the Batson clan on their snook trip? Lots of Batson info on their blank talk vids on Youtube.