I intend to build a rod for Ned rigging. I have a few that work but aren't precise.

I have an NFC MB733, too powerful over all and too stiff in the tip.

NFC APFG 710-1 Very nice, a bit too light in power and wanting something with more sensitivity. Maybe something more progressive. This blank tends to have a hard shutoff point.

United Composites UC66LXF - As a casting rod, it is way over rated. I am no expert , but I did a CCS measurement on it and it boasted quite a but more power than the MB 733 with softer tip.
Maybe this taper/action but .5 to 1.5 Lowe power.

I'm thinking that the blank should be in the high 200 to low 300 IP. Action I'm not so sure of. A light tip for 1/20th jig heads plus Zman TRD up to 1/16th head with TRD is what I will be throwing with a blank that will bend throughout to protect fine wire hooks.

Bass blanks have always perplexed me, they tend to shutoff completely. Where as other methods have actions that continue to bend, but still have a fast tip for light baits.

I'm reading that the Bushido sj/4-8 might be an option. Maybe popping blanks would be better? It's a light presentation, would like to be able to throw 3.5-6 gram total weight. Casting not spinning, have reels that will handle it already.

Phenix UMBX S 700L is a good one to look at.

I would look at crappie rods.

How are these different than the Feather series?

Daryl Ferguson Wrote:
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> I would look at crappie rods.


Recommendations?

Derick Jahnke Wrote:
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. This blank tends to
> have a hard shutoff point.
>
> I plead ignorance, I am not familiar with the term, "hard shut off point"
Please fill me in..

I fish the Ned lure with a medium light, 81 inch spinning rod.from a CRB- S701ML blank.

Works like a charm.

Regards

I like the MHX CS 721 Light Shooter. I like shooting neds under docks and overhanging trees. This 6' rod works great for that.

go to the CCS Data Log thread and click on the link in the first line " quick access" Click on the CCS Data Base button at the bottom to open the data base. Look at NFC DS 6100. Don't be fooled by the "medium" power, it's about 300 grams. There are other blanks there around 300 grams or a little less with slower actions if you prefer slower. I think the 6100 would be fine. Go much lower in power and handling good sized fish becomes problematic. Since the 6100 has a pretty fast action, its tip is pretty soft.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2023 05:19AM by Michael Danek.

Derick Jahnke Wrote:
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> How are these different than the Feather series?

Not sure, never handled the feather line. Quick look the feather is cheaper, doesn't mention the toray carbon fiber which may be difference, IDK. UMBX was always the next level down from their K2 blanks.

The UMBX S700L has a light fast action tip, but still has good flex well into the mid section because of its lighter power. Built as casting, ill throw 1/16 neds with the small TRD and it's handled river smallies up into the 20" range. JFYI.. I think they mixed up the butt dia. specs with the 700L casting blank, the 2 I built were just under .400 butt.

The bushido SJ72 4-8 sounds like similar specs on paper. I'm pretty sure ive read the Amtak guys reccomend that blank specific for neds



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2023 07:35AM by Matt Ruggie.

Rainshadow RX10 ETES 610 MXF fits the bill for the CCS numbers you posted, and is definitely more than worthy of consideration. The RX 10 blanks are very very sensitive blanks. I haven't built a rod on that specific blank, but I have built a rod on a RX9 Eternity 2 version of that blank to use for drop shots. And while it proved to be way under powered for what I was looking for, it's probably an awesome Ned rig rod.

I use it for pan fish, and it will easily cast the size baits you're talking about. Excellent bend deep into the blank for keeping fish on light line and light wire hooks.

Dang near forgot to post the CCS numbers. lol These numbers come directly from Batson IP, 272 grams. AA 74 - 75.

Oh and if you are looking for a little more power, The RX 10 ETES 72ML would be worth considering. IP 343. AA 76 - 77.

I know if I was building a Ned Rig rod I'd go with the 72ML blank. I have caught some nice fish on Ned rigs, and I'd want that extra power.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2023 08:09AM by David Baylor.

Is the CB701 too light

Like David Baylor said...

...some power is welcome when needed in the Ned arena. The reserve power, or as I sometimes think of it as a lock-up point, is important for controlling the rod, line, and fish, when it comes to landing time. Too floppy of a rod and it is more of a challenge to have the control I want when I am ready to lip or net a fish.

IMO, with all due respect to the rod's ability to cast the size/weight lure you want, the reel and drag play a part not often mentioned in protecting light line, light hooks, and acrobatic fish. The reel's drag provides "give and take" for head-shaking and surging fish as much as the rod's tip section and power profile. I'm not quite there yet myself, but I know several veteran fishermen who have minimal drag on the reel at all times. They use their index finger (spinning) or thumb (casting) to adjust the drag as needed for hook sets and playing fish. Most fish IME are lost right at the moment of truth: when the line out of the tip is the shortest, and the rod bend is nearing max. The hook, line and rod are "right there" in terms of the system. The reel drag becomes that back up pressure valve.

Furthermore, and a bit off-topic, even though I go barbless with nearly all my hooks (cranks/trebles, jigs, worms) I have lost few fish once hooked. I've lost them for other reasons, but not because they suddenly spit my barbless hook. (And it is so much easier, faster, and less damaging on the fish to survive the experience; especially when hooked deep or in the gills area.) Even a partially bent hook will still hold.

I like the NFC DS6100 X-Ray (IP = 275; AA 75+) for the reasons Mick stated: Soft tip with reserve power if it comes to that. Also, the NFC DS721 if you want a longer rod (IP =268; AA 75+) would be very good, IMO.

I should point out that in my opinion one does not want to go any lower in power than the DS 6100 if good-sized fish are likely. I have used it for smallies and when the fish are about 3 pounds and up, i'd like more power. It's called medium power, but not what I would call medium power. I think I remember David Baylor commenting on this blank in another thread-I think he characterized it as a good panfish rod. For Neds, where casting proficiency may take priority over power, it's not a bad choice. But I would not go lower in power. It's listed in the CCS data base as testing IP 275 and 300.

I personally don't like the soft dropshot tips for neds or any small bottom contact baits.

Some of you guys might like the rod I built my wife for your Ned rig rods, since you want a little more power. It’s a CRB IS601 Medium/Fast. Of course, you may not like her specific rod. It’s pink with lime green wraps. lol

I prefer the lighter power in 6’ shooter because it’s easier to do what I’m doing with it, *shooting*. It handles the bass just fine. I’m sure if I latched onto a 8-10 pounder, I’d rather have more power, but that would be a rare circumstance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2023 01:37PM by Daryl Ferguson.

David Baylor Wrote:
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> Rainshadow RX10 ETES 610 MXF fits the bill for the
> CCS numbers you posted, and is definitely more
> than worthy of consideration. The RX 10 blanks are
> very very sensitive blanks. I haven't built a rod
> on that specific blank,

I have and I really like it for Ned rigs. I was catching 3lb plus smallmouths on Ned’s and stand ups this fall at 30-80 feet (@#$%& Canyon) and had great feel and control. I wouldn’t trade it for another rod in it’s class.

CRB rods are nice for the money. When I first started building I bought the Mudhole kit and a few IS blanks. Over the next year I built 40 or 50 CRB bass and speck rods. It was a great way to learn the craft without breaking the budget. When I felt comfortable employing the techniques learned mostly on the Rodbuilding board I moved into higher quality components.

After another 50 or so builds using MHX, Rodgeeks, and a couple of other suppliers, I settled mostly on NFC. I've built about 15 NFC rods so far and have another 30 blanks stocked that should get me through the end of this year. My progression has gone from rookie the first year to journeyman the second year. I should be able to graduate to professional rod builder after this year.

I use a NFC DS6107 (Delta) for neds, drop shot, and little swimbaits. I built as a spinning rod. It is good.

The CCS I measured is… 396g AA=74.

Michael, I'm not sure which blank you are referring to, that I commented on. The RX9 Eternity rod that I mentioned above is the only blank I can remember saying is nothing more than a pan fish rod. At least that's how I see rods in that power range. It's a really really good pan fish rod though. lol

The RX9 blank I built has the same listed specs as its' RX 10 version. No way in my estimation do those specs fit a blank of that power. Just for fun, if I were to label that blank based on the way it fishes, I would name it light power, 4 - 8 lb line, and 1/16 to possibly 3/8 oz. And the 3/8 oz would be pushing it. lol

I agree with David that those two RX’s are best in the 1/8-1/4 ounce range for jig or shot weight. I use .8 PE braid on mine with 10lb. fluorocarbon leader.