I have only built a few rods so far and now I have a friend that would like me to build a swimbait rods for 2-8 oz lures. I don't fish swimsuits and have no experience throwing anything that heavy. As I'm getting started I'm building rods at cost for friends and family and he has given me $175 budget for this. His biggest concern is durability as he has had a few rods break on hook set. I'm sure he underspeced them and that was the cause. I found the C276XHF from rod geeks at 89 and think that will be ok but I haven't built any rood geek blanks so I'm not sure. As to the rest of the build can any one give me any tips on where to spend and focus that remaing money? He is using 50lb braided line on a Calcutta reel if that helps. Thank you for your time

Some things to ask/consider:

What kinds of lures is he typically fishing? Treble hooks or soft baits? This will help determine the rod blank. Typically treble hook baits are fished on more moderate blanks, especially with straight braid. I’d probably prefer a moderate blank for all types of baits with straight braid myself.

Is he fishing straight braid or a leader connection that will pass through the guides? This will help determine the guide sizes.

What kind of handle does he like? EVA? EVA with shrink? Split grip or full rear grip? Does he want a foregrip at all? Typically the rear handle is at least as long as to touch the angler’s elbow when he’s holding the reel. Sometimes people like them even longer.

I have only built a handful of rodgeeks blanks so I can’t speak to that particular blank. I’d ask him what his favorite most common lure he intends to fish on this rod and try and select a weight range that suits that well but has enough beef to be able to handle larger baits he intends to throw as well.

Raymond, I built my nephew a swimbait rod using that exact RodGeeks blank and he loves it. Definitely think you’ll be happy with that blank.

I definitely agree with Robert .... if this is a rod for bass, and you'll be using straight braid, meaning no leader, I'd be looking for a mod fast or moderate action blank. Braid is unforgiving, and when you're talking a 2 - 8 oz bait, you want to eliminate the possibility of slack line while fighting a fish.

The diagram is Fuji’s recommendation for 7’6” heavy power rods.

A good guide train in either the Fuji K series, as mentioned, or the LZR model C guides would be either
12, 10, 8, 6s
12, 10, 8s
Or 10, 8, 6s if you want to stay lighter

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1.) If your buddy says he is breaking rods on the hook set....listen to him. Manage your warranty - if you offer one at all.

2.) Keep the reel seat basic (Fuji TCSM size 18 plus foam arbor).

3.) Keep guide train basic (the CRB's from Mudhole are a good value: CRB Double Foot Spin/Cast Guide - Model DF for butt guide (#10) and (#6 reduction); CRB spin/cast running guides - model RNG size #5, 5.5, or 6; CRB Light/Medium duty spin & cast tops - Model LT, size to match running guides.

4.) Keep thread basic to one color plus a metallic (to save you time from any fancy butt wraps or fade wraps or multiple color wraps)

5.) Keep grips basic: Split grips are easier to ream to fit because you do not need a long reamer for a one-piece grip; however, split grips are not as comfortable in "under the arm" retrieving and fishing larger sb's.The Mudhole Super Grade Shaped Rear Casting Grip (cork) 14" can be cut in half with a razor knife or fine-tooth saw, and each piece reamed to fit the blank, glued on, and touch-sanded. around $20. A 14" Carbon Fiber one-piece is around $34 and easy to ream.

My take.