Looking to build my first rods. looking to build somthing for fl keys backcountry..looking at
Nfc xray Sj 725-1 or mb 724-1
What size guides would be best with a 2500 or 3000 spinning reel and what reel seat would you guys recommend

This would prob replace or be a back up to my fenwick hmg inshore . Med/fast rod how would it compare?

Also anyone using the Jadrak T-SYSTEM Hand Wrapper and Rod Dryer off of @#$%&? Any good? Or better off with wooded hand wrapper and a dryer from crb? The alps system might be in the future if I do enjoy building them and can make a decent rod. But for now cheaper is better



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2023 07:12PM by Rusty Gaspard.

The rod you have is low end carbon, SM material would be your choice to get in the ballpark. Other than that you gave us zero info to help, Fenwick makes many inshore rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2023 10:49AM by Spencer Phipps.

Guides for size 2500 to 3000 spinning reel:

I prefer the Fuji KR Concept system and set up. There is a very useful guide size and placement calculator at the Angler's Resource (Angler's Rsc - Fuji) link in the left margin. Enter the numbers requested in the boxes and it will calculate what you need for a very good starting point. There is also an informative collection of articles on this site to learn more about general rod-building concepts. Check it out!

To answer your questions from my POV with the info you provided:

Reduction Train (three guides): 20H, 10H, and 5.5M
First Two Running guides: KB5 or KB4.5
Remaining Running Guides: KT5 or KT4.5 (I think you will need approx. four or five KT's)
Tip Top: to match blank tip diameter (tube) and running guides (ring size of 5 or 4.5)
Reel Seat: Fuji DNPS (in an up-locking orientation) This is a very simple and durable seat. There are many other options out there many like, including the IPS (it will need an IPS grip that will fit this style)

Backcountry sounds fun and adventurous!

I know nothing about your Fenwick inshore rod, so I cannot make comparisons to it. Both of the NFC blanks you listed are quite nice and should be suitable for what you want to do. However, they are both fast action blanks; certainly not moderate fast. The SJ 725 should be a little more powerful and a little faster than the MB724.
For a 2500 or 3000 reel, I like a KR concept guide layout using KL20H, KL10H, and KL5.5M guides for the the reduction train and size 4.5 or 5 KB/KT runners.
For the reel seat and grip I like either the NFC IPS soft touch carbon fiber grip, or the NFC IPS or VSS17 regular carbon fiber grip.
Norm
PS - Les’s suggestions are very good. If I had seen them before I posted, there would be no reason for me to have posted my opinions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2023 09:42AM by Norman Miller.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The rod you have is low end carbon, SM material
> would be your choice to get in the ballpark. Other
> than that you gave us zero info to help, Fenwick
> makes many inshore rods.

What is sm?
My fenwick is the hmg inshore 7ft fast action medium power Line Weight8-20 lbs.
Lure Weight1/8 - 1 oz.. that's about all the info I can find online about it..

Les Cline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Guides for size 2500 to 3000 spinning reel:
>
> I prefer the Fuji KR Concept system and set up.
> There is a very useful guide size and placement
> calculator at the Angler's Resource (Angler's Rsc
> - Fuji) link in the left margin. Enter the numbers
> requested in the boxes and it will calculate what
> you need for a very good starting point. There is
> also an informative collection of articles on this
> site to learn more about general rod-building
> concepts. Check it out!
>
> To answer your questions from my POV with the info
> you provided:
>
> Reduction Train (three guides): 20H, 10H, and
> 5.5M
> First Two Running guides: KB5 or KB4.5
> Remaining Running Guides: KT5 or KT4.5 (I think
> you will need approx. four or five KT's)
> Tip Top: to match blank tip diameter (tube) and
> running guides (ring size of 5 or 4.5)
> Reel Seat: Fuji DNPS (in an up-locking
> orientation) This is a very simple and durable
> seat. There are many other options out there many
> like, including the IPS (it will need an IPS grip
> that will fit this style)
>
> Backcountry sounds fun and adventurous!


Awesome thank you for that info have you built xray blanks? Or Rainshadow rx6? Like or prefer ine over the other ? I read xrays are really nice but seems to always come with defects or take forever to receive

Fuji’s KR concept guides are my choice for spinning rods. [www.fujitackle.eu]

Guide placement for the KR Concept.
[anglersresource.net]

I typically use 20lbs braid to a 20lbs mono leader when I fish inshore for the abrasion resistance. If this is the same for you use size 6KT running guides.

Fuji VSS or IPS are nice reel seats.

I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong… Xray blanks are 100% graphite and RX6 blanks have graphite and glass. Graphite is more sensitive and responsive, but more fragile. Adding glass to graphite makes a blank more durable but less sensitive and responsive. Your Fenwick rod blank would be the equivalent of a RX6 or rod geeks carbon 2 blank.

What will you be fishing for? Lures or bait? Braid or mono? What pound test?

Personally I like the X-ray SJ 736-1 over the SJ 725-1.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Russell Brunt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What will you be fishing for? Lures or bait?
> Braid or mono? What pound test?
>
> Personally I like the X-ray SJ 736-1 over the SJ
> 725-1.


Snapper to snook.
Braid 15lb then whatever leader that's needed
Swimbaits and spooks as well as live bait shrimp/pilchards

Michael Tarr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fuji’s KR concept guides are my choice for
> spinning rods.
> [www.fujitackle.eu]
> f
>
> Guide placement for the KR Concept.
> [anglersresource.net]
> tware/
>
> I typically use 20lbs braid to a 20lbs mono leader
> when I fish inshore for the abrasion resistance.
> If this is the same for you use size 6KT running
> guides.
>
> Fuji VSS or IPS are nice reel seats.
>
>

Awesome thank you for the help I'll use 15lb main line most likely and then up to 30 for leader

Michael Tarr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m
> wrong… Xray blanks are 100% graphite and RX6
> blanks have graphite and glass. Graphite is more
> sensitive and responsive, but more fragile. Adding
> glass to graphite makes a blank more durable but
> less sensitive and responsive. Your Fenwick rod
> blank would be the equivalent of a RX6 or rod
> geeks carbon 2 blank.

Ok I'll have to check that out I did see that they have a rx6 and rx6 with eglass .. I'll check out the rod geek as well thanks

SM is a designation of the modulus level in NFC blanks. Lowest to highest in my understanding: Delta, SM, IM, HM, X-Ray and now C6O2. Though labeled an HMG by Fenwick, the equivalent to NFC would be SM more than likely (good for back in the day, but by today's standards and materials, rather low in modulus rating. Modulus ratings do not equal inferior ratings, just the stiffness to weight ratio.)

I think you got a good explanation of the differences between X Ray and RX6 from Michael. Not that Michael was saying this or would disagree, but I think modern graphite blanks are very strong and durable and will handle normal abuse. (Tom published an excellent article titled, "Reducing Rod Breakage" in Rod Maker Magazine years ago. Someone could reference the volume and issue number? Is it in the Library?)

I have built on many X Ray blanks and only one Rainshadow blank - an RX8 years ago which I really liked. This is not because I think there is anything wrong with Rainshadow blanks! Some of the heavy-hitters on the forum all like them! I'm just an old Loomis Legacy fan. I like St. Croix blanks, too.

IMO, the NFC SJ736 is an awesome blank and one of those I consider an "all-rounder." It does many things very well. This will handle your swim and live baits well (but I would keep the max weight of the swimbaits to less than 1 oz. in total size; the SJ will still throw them, but 1 oz. is pushing it IME.)

Spooks: I fish them frequently in various sizes; usually NOT the largest versions (like the three-hook Super Spook). I up-grade the hooks on these walking baits to equivalent size Owner or Gamakatsu trebles for easier hook-ups. The SJ736 will do well with spooks below the size of the largest spooks IME.

Les Cline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SM is a designation of the modulus level in NFC
> blanks. Lowest to highest in my understanding:
> Delta, SM, IM, HM, X-Ray and now C6O2. Though
> labeled an HMG by Fenwick, the equivalent to NFC
> would be SM more than likely (good for back in the
> day, but by today's standards and materials,
> rather low in modulus rating. Modulus ratings do
> not equal inferior ratings, just the stiffness to
> weight ratio.)
>
> I think you got a good explanation of the
> differences between X Ray and RX6 from Michael.
> Not that Michael was saying this or would
> disagree, but I think modern graphite blanks are
> very strong and durable and will handle normal
> abuse. (Tom published an excellent article titled,
> "Reducing Rod Breakage" in Rod Maker Magazine
> years ago. Someone could reference the volume and
> issue number? Is it in the Library?)
>
> I have built on many X Ray blanks and only one
> Rainshadow blank - an RX8 years ago which I really
> liked. This is not because I think there is
> anything wrong with Rainshadow blanks! Some of the
> heavy-hitters on the forum all like them! I'm
> just an old Loomis Legacy fan. I like St. Croix
> blanks, too.
>
> IMO, the NFC SJ736 is an awesome blank and one of
> those I consider an "all-rounder." It does many
> things very well. This will handle your swim and
> live baits well (but I would keep the max weight
> of the swimbaits to less than 1 oz. in total size;
> the SJ will still throw them, but 1 oz. is pushing
> it IME.)
>
> Spooks: I fish them frequently in various sizes;
> usually NOT the largest versions (like the
> three-hook Super Spook). I up-grade the hooks on
> these walking baits to equivalent size Owner or
> Gamakatsu trebles for easier hook-ups. The SJ736
> will do well with spooks below the size of the
> largest spooks IME.



Thank you that is some good info. I was really excited to try out thr xray but I think I'm going to go rainshadow this 1st time around as I emailed, facebooked and called nfc and havnt gotten anything back. So I emailed rainshadow and they emailed me back a few times very quickly. Seems to me that customer service maybe lacking for nfc? Idk maybe just my luck but I'd rather deal with a company that wants to help me . Hopefully I'll get to try the xray out in the next blank

Now looking for dryers/wrappers that are affordable but good .

Rusty

Customer Service is always an aspect of the "quality" of a product. I agree with you! On the good side the quality of NFC products are very good to excellent even if their response times are something to be desired. It's not just Your luck. Many have been in your shoes with NFC getting back to them in a "timely" manner. Just slow, not pretentious. We are buying their products factory direct...and their factory is making lots of things for lots of industries from kayaks to aerospace.

In NFC's defense, they do get around to things eventually, and they are honorable and not intending to ignore your needs and requests IME. When dealing with NFC, I plan well in advance for what I want. Sometimes, they will surprise me and I see a rod tube on my porch within a couple weeks. Other times, it can take a month or so. (I once called NFC and a sales manager picked up the phone. We had a 40-minute conversation that answered all my questions and even delved into drift fishing in the Pacific NW! Awesome discussion! I won the rod lottery that day.)

The Value If You Can Plan Ahead: Pay attention to their sales that come around rather frequently. They make some very good deals on great products that are worth a bit of wait for the value you are getting in return. My buddy and I order rods in the winter we plan to fish in the spring.

Rainshadow is a quality product. You aren't taking a step down to do business with them, IMO.

Make use of the Search function on this site. Try several key words and such to try and find what you are seeking. If all else fails, create a new topic and you will get more help.

I am glad you are here and getting into rod building!

Les Cline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rusty
>
> Customer Service is always an aspect of the
> "quality" of a product. I agree with you! On the
> good side the quality of NFC products are very
> good to excellent even if their response times are
> something to be desired. It's not just Your luck.
> Many have been in your shoes with NFC getting back
> to them in a "timely" manner. Just slow, not
> pretentious. We are buying their products factory
> direct...and their factory is making lots of
> things for lots of industries from kayaks to
> aerospace.
>
> In NFC's defense, they do get around to things
> eventually, and they are honorable and not
> intending to ignore your needs and requests IME.
> When dealing with NFC, I plan well in advance for
> what I want. Sometimes, they will surprise me and
> I see a rod tube on my porch within a couple
> weeks. Other times, it can take a month or so. (I
> once called NFC and a sales manager picked up the
> phone. We had a 40-minute conversation that
> answered all my questions and even delved into
> drift fishing in the Pacific NW! Awesome
> discussion! I won the rod lottery that day.)
>
> The Value If You Can Plan Ahead: Pay attention to
> their sales that come around rather frequently.
> They make some very good deals on great products
> that are worth a bit of wait for the value you are
> getting in return. My buddy and I order rods in
> the winter we plan to fish in the spring.
>
> Rainshadow is a quality product. You aren't taking
> a step down to do business with them, IMO.
>
> Make use of the Search function on this site. Try
> several key words and such to try and find what
> you are seeking. If all else fails, create a new
> topic and you will get more help.
>
> I am glad you are here and getting into rod
> building!

Ok thanks for that I'll probably order one when it's time for the 2nd build I definitely liked what I seen and read about them . I'm excited to try this thank you for the great info and tips . Have a good one bud

I use American Tackle's Black Microwave 25's on all of my inshore spinning rods and will continue to do so. I have absolutely no issues with them, regardless of which size reel I use.

I’m no fanboy of anybody.I have had pretty good luck with nfc customer service. Heck they’even sent me a label when I screwed up the first. Good blanks all in all. It just takes a while to get them. Patience is a virtue.lol+1!on Fuji , great guides and so are microwave guides. American tacklesa areo reel seat is nice if your old like me . One of the most comfortable seat I’ve ever used.