Looking at the XC blanks on rod geeks I have to disagree with the powers they're listed at. I don't believe a light powered rod could lob a 5 oz sinker weight. Are these primarily saltwater rods like the Ugly Stik Tigers? Would you guys say the XC32 or XC33 is a true medium heavy in the catfishing world?

There is no such thing as a "true" medium heavy. Every company has their own rating system and even among the same company you will find different ratings for the same terms based on the blank category --- freshwater, bass, walleye, saltwater, surf, etc. A light power rod in one of the heavier salt blank categories could lob a 5 ounce weight. A light power rod in one of the freshwater categories is not going to lob a 1 ounce weight.

For the XC series RodGeeks lists both the recommended sinker weight rating for bottom fishing and the recommended casting weight range. They are quite different from each other. So, if you want to cast 5 oz then go with anXC735.
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Norm

Thank you guys. I'd like to build me a medium heavy catfishing rod for blue cats and since I'm not able to look at them before ordering, I wanted to ask you guys.

Years ago I bought the Ugly Stik Tiger medium heavy and it was more like a freshwater XH or XXH

I have an ugly stick tiger ML in 8’ and a 7’ M. I’m looking to get a custom rod made for the medium light. I’m looking at the Rod Geeks XC. I cast from 3-6oz then sit and wait.

Edit: on my ugly stick tiger medium light it’s rated to 4oz. I bomb 6oz with it all the time and have zero issues.

Edit #2: my rod builder is currently building me a rod for lake sturgeon that casts 1-8oz and is medium heavy. It is 7’6 and is made by NFC. It is a hybrid rod and not listed on their website from what I understand. I can find out more info on it and pass it over to you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2023 02:41PM by David Riesenbeck.

Was that medium light the two piece? I really like the idea of designing my own! It would be awesome to catch a big one on a rod I made.

Then make one! It’s not that hard to do. I haven’t bought a factory made rod in 55 yrs. I make everything I fish.
Norm

Yes it is the two piece. It’s a great rod, it’s just the components I don’t like.

Norm’s spot on. These were designed for bottom fishing in the NE for fluke, tog etc by a guy that knows a thing or two about those fisheries

They can make a good catfish rod for tossing baits due to their composite nature and more moderate action - just need to get the right model.

And as they are considered “saltwater” blanks the ratings reflect that Vs freshwater ratings - ie a “MH” in freshwater would often correspond to a L or ML in a saltwater - not that there is rally and standard. At least they have power and action ratings vs so many of the production catfish rods that can’t seem to get the two straight and talk about a “Moderate Power” lol

Norm I seen that on their specs. Thank you much for your input everyone. I got thrown off a bit on both those weight ratings. I would be bottom fishing mostly all the time with them.

I bought a couple of X-comp blanks for my neighbor who wants to try them for bottom fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He just wants drop down bait or a jig and won’t be doing much casting, but he could if he wanted to..
Norm

Are all of rod geek’s blanks made by St. croix in their Mexico factory? I love st. Croix! I have their bottom bouncing “legend tournament” rod was well as their Legend Extreme in both medium and medium-light.

David Riesenbeck Wrote:
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> Are all of rod geek’s blanks made by St. croix
> in their Mexico factory? I love st. Croix! I have
> their bottom bouncing “legend tournament” rod
> was well as their Legend Extreme in both medium
> and medium-light.

The last I checked (this fall) the Carbon 5 is still the SCV series made in Park Falls. The Bass 3 series is obviously the Victory series, which is USA made when sold as factory built rods. I don’t know if they split blank production between USA and Mexico for it, but the full chart of offerings hit the Rod Geek Catolog pretty quickly after the rod was introduced. Normally, their companion Hermisillo made blank lines focus towards the higher volume offerings within the Park Falls made series. If you call St. Croix during business hours they will transfer you to Deb for Rod Geeks related inquiries. She does a great job at answering questions.

Nice, I'm thinking the XC732 or 33 will be a good version of the freshwater medium heavy that I'm used to.

RG recently published a little blurb on their FB page, the Carbon 5 and Bass 3 are both made in Park Falls, the other RG blanks are made at the St. Croix factory in Mexico.

I got in a Bass 3 and 4 a couple weeks ago both from Park Falls