I really like the NFC P700 X-ray, however it’s 7’ and I haven’t cut one down yet.
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The decal should be in the stapled cardboard portion at the top of the package. Could be easy to miss if you didn’t know to look there.
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David, What are your thoughts on the APFG 742? I'm tossing around the idea of building on the APFG line for a longer casting rod used for sight fishing with lighter jigs. I have a BFS rod, but I'm looking for something with a soft tip for throwing light jigs (1/4oz total weight) with a decent backbone, which is where the BFS lacks. I've read they have a softer tip and a good backbone, but hav
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I'm an inshore fisherman who dabbles in bass. I have built a few of the X-ray blanks, P700, SJ703, IS703, IS764, IS705. Multiples of each of those rods. The two I cant put down myself are the IS705 built as a spiral casting rod and the SJ703 built as a spinning rod. Between those two that's 80% of my flats fishing and I have plenty of rods...I use the SJ703 for sight fishing light jigs/neds (
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Rick, I have built a few SJ703 and IS703 blanks, both as casting and spinning. Both rods are great and would suit what you are looking for, it just depends on how fast of an action you prefer. A couple of the SJ703s I built are up in Minnesota to being used as smallmouth/walleye rods, very sensitive and have had great feedback form their owners. The SJ are noticeably faster than the IS, as ad
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Kendall, I use a Titanium Torzite model KW size 6 double foot to start my all my casting builds now. I use that and I have done so with a Cagey Hook spiral on many rods. Works great, but I'm not sure how revolutionary it is over other spiral techniques. I like how it lengthens the spiral down the rod, but I cant tell the difference between them when I fish them, aside from looks. I also don't
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Merrick, My first build had CRB LZR guides, 8 for the stripper and 5's down the rod. I've since built a few more with Fuji Ti Torzites and used a size 6 K series double foot for the stripper, 4.5 KBs for the spiral and 4.5 KTs for the rest of the blank.
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Just went through this search as I’ve been waiting on some for over a month. Got the last two from the rod room yesterday…sorry lol
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I use the exact process Norm outlined and have sanded roughly 15 so far without issue. The ridge resin is white, so it's easy to tell once you're done. I also use 600 followed by1500 grit wet sand combo. Takes about 10 minutes or so. You can wrap with the ridges no problem, I've done quite a few. I do feel like I get a better packed wrap with a smooth blank. The only real downside to the ri
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You can also use a cheap plastic mitre box from the hardware store to keep your cut square. Cut it 1/8 longer than you want it, use a block with sandpaper to do the last bit. Gives you room to straighten it out and make it look fished without ending up short.
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This is a fun thing to do. I have rebuilt a few older st croix rods. The blanks were in great condition, but handles/guides were beat to crap. You can revamp them into a great perfoming rod. It will also build your confidence on doing rod repairs for customers. win-win to me.
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Sean, I have used both calligraphy and jelly roll pens. Sakura 0.8 seems to work best. Pros are they are cheap and easy to use. You can wipe off mistakes no problem. But they need to dry for about 12-24 hours before a top coat or they will smear, they are also sensitive to the touch before being coated so intricate writing can be tricky. Hit your base coat of epoxy with 1000 grit before you wr
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Tony, I've built my fair share of X-ray blanks. A simple base coat of epoxy before applying the decal will do the trick, then another coat or two over it as a finish. All the thread work I've done is decorative to frame the area, never wrapped over a decal. Decals will adhere fine to your base coat and I haven't had any longevity or lifting issues with the NFC labels. Do yourself a favor and m
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Thanks Michael! I just built a second P700 with a spiral wrap. The one in the picture was my very first build and admittedly not the cleanest cosmetic wise. Thanks to places like this forum I’ve learned a ton and made strides when it comes to aesthetics and finish, but it still fishes great!
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Eric, I have quite a few trips and plenty of reds and trout with the IS703. I use it primarily for light lure sight fishing on the flats like you’ve mentioned, Neds, buggs, jigs and small Texas rigs 1/8 up to 1/4. I’ve also been throwing MR 17s on it in the creeks lately. It’s a great rod if you trend towards light tackle inshore and honestly one of my favorite builds to date.
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This thread should get a sticky. This topic comes up quite often and the information provided by Aleks is great, especially as a newer builder. Thanks for the transparency and insight backed by actual data and process on how NFC does business. No doubt this has earned NFC even more respect.
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Justin, Read the blank variance thread and look through the NFC process. Find a company with more transparency… I have no personal experience with PB, but most companies make great blanks. Find one you like and relate to, give them your money. I’ve built a few walleye rods for my brother in law who fishes in Minnesota. Both on Rod geeks and NFC. The SJ 703 X-ray is his preferred jigging rod.
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Similar inshore story for me Tim. Needed accurate delivery of very light lures for our crystal clear flats and extremely spooky fish. The spiral wrap is a Cagey Hook and is doing its final cure now. I’ll go throw some Neds/miniature T-rigs at redfish this weekend and report back. I think it’ll help when fighting a slot red on an UL, which I recommend everyone tries.
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Old thread, but how did it work out? I'm finishing a spiral wrap BFS on a NFC P700 X-ray for inshore. Should have it on the water within the week. Love the rod and have built a couple for BFS inshore, but this will be my first spiral wrap so I should get good direct comparison with the conventional builds.
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I have the IS 705 and IS 764 x-ray on order. I think I’ll try the XO grips for them after the detail in this thread. Anyone done a casting build yet?
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Ray, You are correct they aren’t all hand sanded the ISR inshore line is. I believe the epitome line was as well which were the initial C6O2 blanks if memory serves correct.
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Francis, Thanks for following up. That’s the way I have done it when doing rod repair. Works pretty well.
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Beautiful rod. Plenty of backbone for slot reds on the flats. Should throw the small artificial as planned really well. I think most people way over equip themselves. On the flats I use rods with lower CCS than this 90% of the time. Finesse presentations are the ticket for spooky reds in clear water. Love the decals. Great work.
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For trout I use medium or medium light moderate or fast. They have very soft mouths. Don’t have snook up here in the panhandle, but that setup wouldn’t be ideal for Jacks. Need a more powerful rod for them. How much time do you have? I have a NFC IS 764 and 705 X-rays on order…should be shipping soonish and I can get you some info on them. Have built a few IS 703 X-rays as inshore casting rod
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Edge Rods hand sands all their blanks and I believe the did that for the “epitome” rods on the MB 725 c6o2.
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P700 build
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Tim I didn't measure the CCS for the IS 703, I should have because I haven't found it anywhere, but I haven't asked NFC either. It is noticeably slower than the bare SJ 703 blanks I have. I'd say the IS fishes as a moderate-fast. I recognize that's one mans opinion and useless from an objectivity lens. I have two built as casting rods specifically for sight fishing slot reds on the open flats,
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Mark Thanks for the reply. He throwing around 3/8oz. Same thoughts on most rods being rated higher than their optimal casting range. I have a few NFC SJ blanks and I think that series might work well based on their tips. I was also looking at the SJ 765 to give him the length he's looking for. After some more research that's likely what I'll go with.
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Looks great! I have two SJ 703s I'll be building this week. How did you inset the picture?
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I build rods for inshore saltwater and almost always recommend CRB LZR, the 316 SS holds up really well. Quality 316 is good enough for the hardware on my boat, so it works for my rods. They all get rinsed anyway. I like the larger inner ring diameter of the LZR. For such I high end blank I'd look at titanium, but the x-ray blanks I've built with fuji ti vs lzr have no noticeable difference i
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