Does anyone have any first hand experience with this blank? It is rated 2-10 oz. I am wondering what the sweet spot is and how it handlers lure in the 2-4oz range. I am looking for max distance in that weight range. Mexico surf fishing for Roosters, Jacks, Cubera, etc. Is this 1207 an acceptable lure rod or is it really designed more for weight and bait? I am primarily lures but the extra weight capability just adds more versatility, if in fact this blank will also excel at lures in the my target range. I would like to try this sexy blank, as long as its not dead in the water for my intended uses.

I already have a NFC 1167-2 that is rated 2-8 oz. It works well in the 3-4 oz range.

I have no experience with the other 1167's that are rated 3/4 - 3 and 1-3 oz. so not sure if they would be suitable options also, but seem a little light.

Just wondering how these blanks compare, as the 1207 is on sale now considerably less than the 1167-2.

Don't have the blank but did research around the internet on it's legit weight capacity and everything I've read is it's nowhere remotely close to being able to handle it's upper weight range . Read that it's a 2-5 blank tops .

As I said , it's just what I read on the net by people who have built on that blank , I can neither confirm or deny with certainty .

I'd look towards a Carolina Castpro, the weight alone on the NFC blanks doesn't seem to jive with lure fishing. I do now that they are popular with plunkers on the west coast though. Personally I like CCP, you can call and talk to the owner who designed, fishes and Personally tests the blanks (including overload testing). He also happens to be a champion level distance caster. Lami used to be the go to, but their prices have skyrocketed and their supply on GSB blanks are slim. There are a few sponsors on this board that make great blanks as well.

Bob, I just got home from the shakedown cruise of my NFC 1207-2 and the 1st thing I did was order a backup blank for $105 delivered. NFC says the coupon, OCTAIR, ends tomorrow, Monday, Oct 21.
Writing this reply was the 2nd thing, sorry it couldn't have been more timely.
I fished mostly topwater surf striped bass, 2 to 4 ounces, pencil poppers, spooks, little necks, metal lips, those sort of things, and a 1-7/8 oz. colt snipper. Until today, for the last few years my first choice for striped bass in the surf had been NFC 1167. I also own a NFC 1165. The first thing I learned today was that my 1167 is no rod for old men who like to plug the surf (I'm 72).
I was at a location that I was very familiar with and using the 1207 I easily topped my best distances with the 1167 by, at the very least, 10%. Nothing was measured. Difference of distances was guesstimated by my need to consistently feather the reel spool so as not to hit rocks and snags that I was never able to reach with the 1167.
I was getting better distance with what seemed like noticeably less effort. The release timing was much less critical with the 1207 compared to the 1167. Even my flubbed casts seemed respectable. I found the action of the 1207 to be definitely more moderate and more comfortable than the 1167.
I was using the same lures, the same reel, the same line, the same guides, essentially the same guide set up, with both rods. The only difference was the 1207 had 1 additional running guide.
One surprise was how well the rod cast the 1-7/8 oz. colt snipper. As for the sweet spot-- I'd put it at 2-4 oz but the rod felt like it would comfortably handle more.
The only drawback I could foresee for fishing Mexico with the 1207 is the length of the tip section would make it commercial airlines unfriendly, don't know for sure but I might get lucky enough to find out some day.
I own the NFC 1165, NFC1167, and the NFC1207. Even with my, thus far, very limited experience with the 1207 I would choose it for the Mexico conditions you describe. For 8 & bait that you mentioned I would be inclined to go with the 1167.
Individual results may vary.
Hope this helps.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/2024 02:39AM by Robert Francesconi.

Robert, Thank you so much for alerting me to that coupon code. I just placed my order for a back up 1207. I just finished building a 1207-2 and I am heading to Mexico Friday for three weeks. It will definitely get tested. I liked my test casting through the range 2-5oz but admittedly when test casting I don't go all out. But even soft tossing I was throwing 4 7/8 oz 110 yards. For me that's good!

I also have an 1167-2 in Mexico already and will be able to compare them both. I like the 1167. I also have a Century Sling Shot 12' but that one is parked in a different location in Mexico so I won't be able to do any comparisons this trip. Maybe in the spring when I go farther south where the Century is I will bring a rod built on the 1207 I just ordered today.

And, thanks for your detailed review. There is not much out on the net for this particular blank, so i bet your review will get relied on by others also. And just to be clear and to assist anyone searching this blank, I corrected the title of this thread to clarify that we are referring to the NFC XRAY C602 bank. I will post my review when I get back in four weeks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/2024 03:23PM by Bob Ginther.

At the present sale price of the 1207, leaving one in Mexico might be an affordable option.
Have a good trip and the best of luck to you.

Thank you Robert for your very helpful review. It’s the reason I just ordered one over other options.

I just returned from 3 weeks in Mexico surfcasting lures for Roosterfish, Jack Crevalle, pargos, and bait fishing for Pompano and pargos. I used the NFC SUR 1207-2 C6O6 X-Ray, the NFC SUR 1167-2 and a Century Sling Shot 1505 (12'). All three are great rods and performed well. The 1207-2 was definitely a fast action as advertised and handled lures up to 5 oz with ease. The 1207-2 was the best of the 3 rods for lures up to 5 oz, easily, and the cast recovery was excellent. Very crisp cast action. I generally don't like casting lures at 5 oz but the 1207-2 handled it with ease and was bombing the lures out there. I loved it. I have already ordered another 1207-2 blank. The 1207-2 also cast the bait/weight 5-6 oz? very well, but I was not trying to cast it very far. I did not cast anything over that weight.

As far as guides on the 1207-2 build, I used Fuji KW's 30 25 20 12 to 8 choke to 7 runners. All double foot. NGC layout with choke guide located using spool diameter x 27. Reduction guides located based on the line from spool axis to choke. This layout system has worked well for me on all my surf rod builds. Reels are Shimano Stella and Saragosa 14000, and Diawa BG 5000, all of which have the same approximate spool diameter. Lines are braid 20 - 40lb test.

Final verdict on the 1207-2 I'd 5 of 5 stars. The "list price" for the blank is over $600 (I would not pay that for any blank!) but it goes on sale frequently. It is now my go to blank for the purposes I need.

Thank you very much for that report, Bob. Casting lures for a similar specie list, with braid, is my intended use for the 1207-2.