Tough to beat the Rainshadows RCT's or FSU's for value. We have been beating on a set of FSU56XH's for over a year and they have been great. I have preferred the FSU's for our 6' 50lb-80lb. stand up rods because I triim the butts down to give us the overall 6' length including the Unibutts. I can do the same with the RCT's but end up cutting off most of the RX6 butt material so the weight redu
Forum: rodboard

Kil Song has a site( jig-n-pop) where you can pull up some of his jigging rod specs. Will give you a starting point. The rest will be personal preference. Reel will have a big influence on what you are trying to do as it would for any build.
Forum: rodboard

That is the Titanium "coating". I personally prefer that to the polished chrome look. Tough to tell over the internet unless you have both types in a side by side pic where it then becoms more obvious. They do much better in the salt than the chrome finish but not quite as good as the solid titanium alloy. Look at the high end Japanese jigging rods and most have the ICMNSG's. My ji
Forum: rodboard

7 weight in low wind areas, 8 for when it blows. 10 maybe for big permit and small poons but never for bones.
Forum: rodboard

It is not an easy task to make the changes Batson is making. Think we all need to be patient and understand that there is a huge cost both financially and timewise to make these types of changes and to make it seemless is almost impossible. They need to create a "home" page and then create the protals allowing you to mine down into what you need. They have a few products and brands s
Forum: rodboard

If this rod will be stored in a horizontal or under gunwhale type of rack on a boat at any point in it's life, I would stear clear of the AmTack titanium single foots. They are way too brittle and will break if you bang on them a little bit. Hard to beat the recoils in the salt.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Kevin. Wish they were polished a little better.
Forum: rodboard

Have them on numerous saltwater fly rods. Look great, cast great and don't break.
Forum: rodboard

With Tony on the RFTS's. Beautiful and functional seats.
Forum: rodboard

Has Aftco changed their Swivel top rings? Last two I received were rough and uncoated steel form the looks of things. I returned one and the replacement came back as almost identical. Will try and post a picture that shows the two different rings.
Forum: rodboard

Never heard of a rod causing wind knots. Does he flip the bail manually? If not he should especially with braid. If you depend on the bail auto flip, the line has a tendancy to cross over face of spool and then you start the problem. This is usually the issue vs actually being caused by "wind". If he is throwing really light lures/baits, he can make things even worse. Braid likes
Forum: rodboard

GF755H or XH are popular. 6' is the max length you will want to try and target for stand up. Short UB2 Unibutt (easier in harness) and either Winthrop or Aftco wind ons. Some of the Calstar Graphiter blanks have a faster tip so turbo guides with a roller tip are preferred in order to prevent cracking at the guide feet (rollers are stiffer). Kevin Knox got me sold on the Batson FSU series of b
Forum: rodboard

Add a set of Aftco wind on's and you should be covered. Winthrop rollers if you have the $$$$$. If you don't decide to go all rollers, then would suggest a roller top. Will redcue fatigue on some of your connections.
Forum: rodboard

Fuji ICMNSG's are tough to beat. Size 40, 25, 16, 12, 12, 12 and top. I just did an OTI Ocean Extreme 7'6" for a client and these sizes were perfect.
Forum: rodboard

What reel are you using wiht this rod? Size 10000 or greater are fairly typical depending on species you are targeting. Most vertical jigging rods have a 40 for a stripper, then go down to 25, 16 and finish out with 12's (for knot clearances) or even 10's.
Forum: rodboard

I have some friends who love the old IMU musky/saltwater blanks from Batson for grouper fishing. Very light and serious backbone where you need it. Reason I bring it up as they are discontinued and you might get a sweet deal. Get Bit has some I believe. Anyone with leftovers will have them at the ICRBE so wiggle one if you find one. I have the 7'2" MH blank that will be used for a sea
Forum: rodboard

Casting or spinning set up? For spinning don't need that close. My 5.5' and 6 foot jigging rods with spinnign set up have the stripper at about 18" from face of the reel. These are vertical jigging rods where I am not casting but dropping down 130-300 gram jigs and ripping back up. For casting set up, most will put it close to keep line off fingers as these rods usually have a deeper f
Forum: rodboard

Donart might have them. I just picked up some extra long eva form them and thought I saw they also had Hypalon in stock.
Forum: rodboard

If applying over eva, you can spray some 3M Super77 on the eva and then slide HS over and then hit it with the heat. Won't give that rock hard feeling.
Forum: rodboard

What is the bent butt 80 being used for? Know some swordfish guys who like to fish the bent butts with electric reels down deep. We have 80's on some of our high speed Wahoo planer rods but these tend to be short. We troll for marlin, tuna with stand up gear being 6-6 1/2' and chair rods being 6 1/2 to 7'. Calstar, Seeker, Lamiglas and Batson all make good blanks but all ahve their subtle dif
Forum: rodboard

I just had a client stop by trying to figure out why his braid was popping at random times. He was thinking it was a braid issue but after careful examination, the tip top ring had a very, very small fracture or piece of the SIC missing. The edge of this void was sharp and when the line would come into contact, pop. It was very hard to see but glad we caught it. Quick fix and he is back in lo
Forum: rodboard

If it tests well under load, don't bother adding anything. I would make sure to rinse your Minima guides very well after each and every use in the salt.
Forum: rodboard

When it counts inshore, I default to the Samurai, especially line under 40lbs. Stuff lasts a long time and casts a mile. In terms of value, Mike P. hit the nail on the head. For ever spool of Samurai, I can go throw 2-3 spools of PowerPro. For offshore, I have been switching over to hollow braids like Jerry Brown or Toro Tamer. Packs better on the big spools, gives some extra capacity, lays
Forum: rodboard

I do exactly as Steve mentions and have not had any hiccups. Don't rush and try to layer the feathers. I usually wait 15-30 min before adding the next feather to help minimize any movement. I have had good success with Cason's color preserver but think any will work. Use your brush to help get the fibers to lie properly by gently pulling toward the tip once on the blank. Make sure to hold ont
Forum: rodboard

Launching a new site is a major undertaking and investment but know these guys will get it right. I am sure when it is complete, there will be more new products and resources for us than before. Most of their dealers have great sites so I would lean on them for now. Get Bit has a great inventory of Batson products for the east coasters and Anglers Workshop for the west coasters.
Forum: rodboard

Building up a SW80-M (8', 15-40#)for a client to be used for casting bucktails at cobia. Very nice looking blank and is very light. Look forward to clients feedback on how she does pulling on some big brown bombers.
Forum: rodboard

How long of a leader do you plan on fishing and are you tying your own or are you using tapered off the shelf leaders. Like others have stated, only knot that will be going through guides will be your backing to fly line knot. If you are using long leaders, then the fly line to leader connection will pass through when landing a fish. Most of those knots are loop to loop now as well, but if tha
Forum: rodboard

John P-I think the file was a recomendation for eliminating the sag. Some sand, some file, some cut, some use all 3..... personal preference. John C was making 2 seperate recommendations but sounds like you combined them.
Forum: rodboard

I'll look at one of the other reels I sometimes use on it that has a floater. Pretty sure it is a Rio SW clouser 9wt. That clouser taper is tough to beat.
Forum: rodboard

Used one for albie season this year. Loaded with SA 350 grain line. Great rod for what I use it for.
Forum: rodboard