Anyone compare these 2 blanks. rod deflection charts on rodhouse show them to be very similar blanks. but the SB has a light overall weight.

I have not measured either of these blanks. However, My guess is that the MB684 X-ray will be more powerful than the SB684 X-ray. In my experience with what manufacturers designate as a spin blank (such as spin bass (SB)), versus a casting blank (such as mag bass (MB)) with the same power designation, the casting (MB) version is always more powerful. I have measured the SB724 X-ray, IP=463 gm, AA=74, and the MB704 IM is listed as IP=558 gm and AA=72.4. It should be noted that both types of blanks can be made into either a spinning or casting rod, no matter the manufacturer’s designation.
Norm

thx norman
i would think the same as you which is why when i looked at the rodhouse deflection charts for these 2 blanks, it through me... as they are so close. the MB actually loads more with 100g then they are basically identical. then the SB is .3 oz lighter which makes me think its less powerful ....not sure how accurate those charts are.

I have the MB664 and the SB684. The MB has a lot more back bone. For me, the MB664 is a great 3/8 ounce jig rod and the SB684 is a good light soft plastics spinning rod (1/4 tubes and 4" weightless senkos, or light drop shot, type rod (it's a lot more buggy whip type feel than the MB).

I also have the MB704 and the SB724. I built both as spinning rods. The MB704 is a carbon copy of G Loomis' MB843 casting rod. I built it for fishing Flukes, Senkos, 3/8 ounce jigs, etc.... on windy days where a casting rod would prove more difficult in the wind. The SB724 is my favorite spinning rod of all. It is great for tubes, drop shot, neko rigs, just about any bass fishing technique that involves a spinning rod.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2022 08:54AM by Leonard Bourdage.

Leonard Bourdage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have the MB664 and the SB684. The MB has a lot
> more back bone. For me, the MB664 is a great 3/8
> ounce jig rod and the SB684 is a good light soft
> plastics spinning rod (1/4 tubes and 4" weightless
> senkos, or light drop shot, type rod (it's a lot
> more buggy whip type feel than the MB).
>
> I also have the MB704 and the SB724. I built both
> as spinning rods. The MB704 is a carbon copy of G
> Loomis' MB843 casting rod. I built it for fishing
> Flukes, Senkos, 3/8 ounce jigs, etc.... on windy
> days where a casting rod would prove more
> difficult in the wind. The SB724 is my favorite
> spinning rod of all. It is great for tubes, drop
> shot, neko rigs, just about any bass fishing
> technique that involves a spinning rod.

Interesting. So, you feel the SB684 is not just a shorter version of SB724, but a lighter power as well? I would have though those would be very similar.

Leonard Bourdage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have the MB664 and the SB684. The MB has a lot
> more back bone. For me, the MB664 is a great 3/8
> ounce jig rod and the SB684 is a good light soft
> plastics spinning rod (1/4 tubes and 4" weightless
> senkos, or light drop shot, type rod (it's a lot
> more buggy whip type feel than the MB).
>
> I also have the MB704 and the SB724. I built both
> as spinning rods. The MB704 is a carbon copy of G
> Loomis' MB843 casting rod. I built it for fishing
> Flukes, Senkos, 3/8 ounce jigs, etc.... on windy
> days where a casting rod would prove more
> difficult in the wind. The SB724 is my favorite
> spinning rod of all. It is great for tubes, drop
> shot, neko rigs, just about any bass fishing
> technique that involves a spinning rod.

leonard
thx. great info. so im guessing thats the weight difference comes in where the backbone extends farther up the blank on the MB. strange they show so identical on the deflection charts.

from the numbers i have found (rda) the SB684 falls right in there with something like a SC 3/4/5S66MF.
i was looking at it for a tube rod using 1/8-3/16oz. insert heads and 3-4" tubes every now and again id go to 1/4oz. but also have other rods for that.

as dean mentioned id also be interested in hearing if the SB724 and SB684 are different powered blanks...
thx
Matt

The SB684 is what I like for a little shorter tube rod for skipping under docks with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight. For fishing open or deep water, I like the longer SB724. The power rating on both are similar but the longer rod has back bone farther up the rod. Both blanks are good for any tube and ned rig type baits in the 1/8 to even 3/8 ounce range.

thx leonard very helpful info

For those interested in the MB704 as a spinning rod, the following YouTube link is from a fishing trip I took last week that you can see the rod in action. I was fishing in about 14' of water for schooled-up largemouth on the deep weed line. Most fish were in the 3 to 5 pound class (18 to 20 inchers). I was casting a 3/8 ounce Jig. The reel was a Diawa Tatula 2500. The line was 20 pound braid with a 15' 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. Normally I use a casting rod for this type fishing but on this trip it was very windy at times so I used this spinning rod I built for these conditions.

[youtu.be]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2022 07:40AM by Leonard Bourdage.

When I look at the two blanks loaded to the same load on the comparator their charts are one on top of the other indicating that they are the same. But the experience of above posters states otherwise. What am I missing? thanks

Northfork recommends using their Catalog Specs for choosing a blank. They list their recommended line, lure weight, and techniques for each blank. They are usually very good recommendations.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When I look at the two blanks loaded to the same
> load on the comparator their charts are one on
> top of the other indicating that they are the
> same. But the experience of above posters states
> otherwise. What am I missing? thanks

thats exactly what was throwing me off. the rodhouse deflection chart shows identical but with the weight difference and identical butt and tip dim. it didnt make sense. from leonards posts i think the SB684 is the blank i need

thx

great video. can really see how that blank flexing under load.

also interesting ya mention the 704 being a carbon copy of the mb843. NFC lists the MB705/735 as the classic mb843. i have read theres isnt much difference between the MB 704 and 705 tho.

edit to add...your not the first person to mention the NFC catalog as the go to. sounds like they did a much better job than there website. ill have to pick it up



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2022 01:05PM by Matt Ruggie.

Yet another reason to know the CCS numbers rather than subjective descriptions and deflection charts.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yet another reason to know the CCS numbers rather
> than subjective descriptions and deflection
> charts.

Absolutely, i just dont get why most blank manufacturers wont jump on board. Was hoping that once Point blank did others would follow.

I ordered the SB684 along with the SJ703. sounds like these 2 blanks will build very nice finesse blanks. looking forward to my first couple builds on NFC blanks.

One of the reasons why Point Blank is my go to premium blank source. I know what I am getting.

just figured id update and say thx.....

Blanks arrived today which fell right in to NFC'S 2-3
week window they quoted. packed very well too! for awhile i was hesitant cause of all the chatter here and on other boards about long lead times and poor packing. thx to all that replied and gave positive feedback ....Glad i pulled the trigger on these very nice blanks at a great price.

Blanks are straight and very much what i expected. Although the sticker for the SJ703 is gonna bug me with a stated lure range of 1/4-3/4oz. LOL.

Im gonna have to play around with the SJ703 some. i want it to finish off at around 6'10 and will have to take some measurements with just a hair off the tip
by taping or wrapping a guide in increments. Most will be trimmed from the butt tho.

the SB684 looks good as is, and flexing it next to a couple rods i already built, it should be a good fit for what i want to do with it. Thx leonard!!

thx
Matt

Leonard Bourdage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For those interested in the MB704 as a spinning
> rod, the following YouTube link is from a fishing
> trip I took last week that you can see the rod in
> action. I was fishing in about 14' of water for
> schooled-up largemouth on the deep weed line. Most
> fish were in the 3 to 5 pound class (18 to 20
> inchers). I was casting a 3/8 ounce Jig. The reel
> was a Diawa Tatula 2500. The line was 20 pound
> braid with a 15' 20 pound fluorocarbon leader.
> Normally I use a casting rod for this type fishing
> but on this trip it was very windy at times so I
> used this spinning rod I built for these
> conditions.
>
> [youtu.be]

Thanks for sharing the action footage. I was really trying to watch how the rod loaded - it looks like it loaded into a moderate fast bend with a fish on, but at times looked like it stopped more at a "typical" fast action. Being called a classic Loomis MB does it have that same multi taper feel that Loomis says they have? I've never fished one, but the concept of something like a multi taper sounds like a brilliant and practical and useful design - if its true.