The last time I built a fly rod was over twenty years ago. I know exactly nothing about the NFC fly blanks these days, but am looking at the LMXFAF in an 8wt., and the Rod Geeks Carbon 4 fly blank also in an 8wt. I am looking for a fast action rod, as I own other rods in 8 and 9 weights that are slower than I wish they were. I don't need another slower action rod in those weight ranges.

Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these blanks? I would use the rod in salt water for inshore species...trout, snook, redfish, ladyfish and possibly small tarpon.

I have built the LMXFAF 9' 8wt. It is a fast action rod but not ridiculously so. I fished it only once in Cabo off the beach in November for several days. I was throwing an SA Anadro WF 7 line, which has a 225 grain head in its first 30 feet, whereas a AFTMA standard 8 wt line is 210, and a half-size heavy 8 WF would be about 225 grains (SA Infinity). So the Anadro 7WF is really like a 1/2 size heavy 8WF. It cast the Anadro quite well and with no issues and I could rip out a lot of line with a weighted streamer. I like the rod very much. I was catching 13-16" roosterfish right off the beach and the 8 wt had plenty of sensitivity and bend when fighting the fish. It is fast action but not overly stiff. I also have a LMXFAF 9' 5 wt which I enjoy fishing.

For the price I do not think you can do better than the LMX fly blanks, especially since they are often on deal

If you really want something with more backbone that is faster then I would go for an NFC Gamma Beta but you will of course pay more.

I have no experience with the Rod Geek blanks, but their Carbon 4 fly blank is basically the same as a St. Croix Imperial, which is a decent rod but nothing special. You can of course have a color choice with Rod Geeks if that matters to you. You might find a place that carries an Imperial and give it a try.

Personally, I would say go with the NFC.

I built a RodGeeks C4904-4 (paired with SA Amplitude Infinity fly line) for my dad and a NFC F904-2 (paired with basic cheeky preload fly line) for myself. The Rodgeeks blank is one of the best casting rods I’ve ever used, I’m not sure if it’s because of the line but it’s nearly effortless.

While the NFC is still an excellent blank, the Rodgeeks is just simply better. The LMX FAF series is the step above the one I built, but I don’t think you can go wrong with the C4908.

The FAF is definitely a fast powerful 8, with the 9 being just a slight power increase and a scoonch more moderate. Haven’t tried the RG yet, but I am going the opposite of you looking for a bit more moderate lighter blank.

Thank you guys for your input.

Action isn't power - it's where the blank initially flexes. If you apply enough load, all blanks will flex into the butt area.

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I have the Rod Geeks rod. It measured AA=75 degrees, IP=178 gms, ERN 9, recommended line weight 225 grains. I use this for bonefish in the Bahamas and it is my go to rod. I broke the tip section and Rod Geeks helped me to get another tip section. They were very accommodating.

I have the LMX Beta Gamma, not sure if it is the same rod you mention. It's numbers are AA=63 degrees, IP=211 grams, ERN=10.2, recommended line weight 268 grams. It is definitely a slower action and a heavier rod.

I've found with the fly rod blanks I have that they are heavier than their rating, as seen above. One blank I built was a Pac Bay Arctos that was advertised as an 8 weight and came in at an 8 weight once I ran the numbers. I like that rod a lot also.

If I had to pick between the two you mention, I would stay with the Rod Geeks blank based on my experience. I have nothing against the NFC blank as I have that rod also and many others from the NFC family. They are fine rods. The Rod Geeks is closest to an 8 weight and a fast action rod.

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> Action isn't power - it's where the blank
initially flexes. If you apply enough load, all
blanks will flex into the butt area.

Yes Tom...but unless there is some sort of standard procedure to perform the "stress test" on any given blank, all the data on paper is meaningless or perhaps better put very difficult to interpret. Without some standardization, one will never be able to compare apples to apples. The NFC blank in question here has a "flex graph" supplied by NFC showing the blank tip being weighed down with 12 ounces. What is the significance of the 12 ounces? AND...with that weight, the rod seems to flex WAY more than I would interpret as a fast action rod.

Yes...if you used half that weight, the rod will likely flex much differently. Perhaps then the graph may make it look like a much faster rod. I get the idea, but in the end I'm still left wondering what the action actually is.




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Action is where the blank INITIALLY flexes. The graph does not depict that.

As far as a standard test for action, just push the tip up against the ceiling a little bit and look at it. Where is most of the flex? If it's in the upper 3rd, it's a fast action blank. If it's in the upper 1/2, it's a medium action blank.

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