Shawn, the trim rings that I used are Alps trim rings. You can get them from a board sponsor, Utmost Enterprises, That's where I got mine. Utmost is an awesome place to deal with.

As far as the tube between the reel seat hoods, it's functional in that it keeps the reel seat hoods spaced properly. The seat is a Forecast skeleton seat with 2 options for inserts. The one you see pictured, and a cork one. So far I have used the same seat on all of my spinning rod builds with either the cork or woven graphite as pictured. With the woven graphite it isn't the lightest seat you can use, but I really like the looks of it, so I use it.

And yes, you will definitely be happy with the X ray blank from a sensitivity standpoint. Whether or not you like the power of it may be a different story. I noticed you went with a blank other than the one Aleks mentioned. I hope it works out for you.

This rod is going to spend a lot of time with 1/8 oz or less jighead with a 3" easy shiner or Ned bait. I went with the 2 power because I'd rather it be on the lighter side of medium. If its way too light then it'll make for an amazing dock shooter. Lol I'll have a rod for everything before you know it.

Now I'm second guessing myself. Lol did I totally miss the mark with the sb722 x-ray?

I found this, which i don't know if it translates to truth but it shows the SJ 703 x-ray and SB 722xray blanks under load they appear identical to me throughout the blank. What do you guys think of this tool? Is it potentially accurate? If so it definitely assists in picking blanks( that they have on file, no point blanks to be found)

[www.rodhouse.fr]

Shawn, I've used that blank comparator on that site. I actually like it, and I have pulled up blanks that I have, and compared the way they look, and it seems to be right on, so if it shows the blanks looking the same I would feel confident that they are. It would still be nice to have CCS numbers for them. That way, if you are familiar with the IP in grams of one blank, and choose another with the same or similar power, they are going to pretty much fish the same. If the actions are the same that is. Action plays a lot into how a rod fishes.

Man that's good to hear!! I was skeptical (and hopeful) that there was a level of accuracy in it. Hearing that it's relatively accurate has me sold on an rx10 rainshadow next. ????