Hi everyone,

Currently looking to build a custom rod and I have narrowed down the choice to NFC DS 721-1 X-Ray and Ds 761-1 HM.

Lures I throw are hardbaits up to 2/8oz and carolina rig up to 3/8oz.

Leaning towards 721-1 due all the positive reviews on this blank.

Will it be possible to throw these kind of weights with the blanks? Some say yes, others say not really.. kinda confused here.

Thanks!

I think those rods will be under powered for those lure weights. Using a 1/4 dropshot is different than having that resistance from a moving lure or pulling a Carolina weight.

I would agree with Dean's observation. I would think a 3 power blank would fish the weight better.

I too agree with Dean. I don't have experience with either blank, but just going off their specs, neither will fish a Carolina rig well at all. You're usually making long casts with a Carolina rig, or at least 40 - 50' casts, and you're going to need to move line on the hook set with a Carolina rig. and those two rods just won't do it well enough. Like Scott said, at least a 3 power for a light Carolina rig. And my personal preference would be a 4 power.

Probably make good drop shot rods if you're fishing near vertical close to the boat, but probably not the best choice if you are making longer casts and dragging a drop shot. They don't appear to have a whole lot of power. It would be interesting to see CCS numbers if one of the members happen to have them for either blank.

I've built on the 721 xray and agree that it is way too light for anything I would consider a carolina rig. It works for light drop shots, but for me at least it is right on the line between a useful bass rod and a rod for panfish. Guess we didn't ask what you are fishing for, if I am way off base let me know.

For me, the DS 721 X-ray and for up to 1/4 oz drop shot weights with nose hooked baits.

The SJ 732 is a finesse spinning rod. Thing typical bass finesse of open hook jigs, 1/8 oz plus soft plastic bait, give or take a little on weight of jig.

The MB733 is a finesse skirted bass swim jig in sparse over, keitech 3.8” rigged on open head or weedless hook. That kind of thing.

The Sj 736 is more typical weedless bass jig rod, 3/8, 1/2, etc. A good all purpose MH bass rod.

I think I would lean towards the MB733 for your applications, but I am FAR from an expert on these matters. Other guys here I respect put the MB733 as underpowered for what I use it for.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/2022 09:02PM by Dean Veltman.

Again I agree with Dean on his synopsis of the SJ 736. They list it as heavy power but IMO it sure doesn't fish like one. Him calling it a medium heavy is spot on. He is also right about it being an all purpose rod. It's an awesome blank that does a lot of things extremely well. As far as a Carolina rig goes, I most fish a Carolina rig over gravel flats or chunky rock bottoms for smallmouth bass. Because I fish them in some chunky rock I normally use a 3/8 oz walking sinker as my weight. I'll occasionally go to a 1/2 oz if I am fishing deeper than 20 ft. But that's really out of the norm for where I fish the rig.

2-power for the minimum. A 3-power would not be too much. A 1-power is probably going to disappoint you for your purposes.