How much difference will I notice between the SC5 and SC3? Weights and tapers seem very similar.
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Lucky! I like to think it was my "finesse" presentation of a 4" senko. Seriously, this will probably be my go-to bass rod for the ponds I fish, but I'm looking for something lighter (but still fast) to use for panfish and trout.
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I just built a 5S66MLF and love it. Actually caught a largemouth around 6 or 7 pounds my first time out! For my next build I'm interested in going a step lighter - say using 4lb mono and a Shimano 750 Symetre - and was wondering how the above options would compare to what I just built. I like very fast rods so I need something that will be light/quick in the tip, but I don't want it to feel mu
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Blank is St. Croix SC5S66MLF, so 6'6" with fast action.
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My problem with the "set it up like a baitcaster and flip all the guides after the butt guide" formula is, when using micro guides, that it is very hard to do that first step with guides on top. Because they give no height to raise the line off the blank, it is difficult to determine guide spacing. So I would look at doing it this way: 1 - set the rod up like a "new concept&qu
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Max, I sent you an email, but I notice from your post you may be having trouble getting info on how to spiral wrap. Have you gotten enough info to know how to do the spiral wrap yet?
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I don't know about your knots, but why use BMNAG? For a spinning rig that size I would use BYAG. They are plenty strong. With braid you don't need a large ring and you can definitely step down quickly (read TK on the NC system). I would probably go BYAG25, BYAG16, then BYAG12 or 10 followed by BLAG8 running guides (whatever gives the right line path); but you should definitely not need more t
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I think they go down to BLAG4. I just got some from Bob at Custom Tackle for an SC566MLF and they are light. Ted is right that the Batsons stand higher, but I would never use a guide that small unless it was spinning or spiral-wrapped casting so height is not needed for me.
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I've had good experience with both, but the Fuji look more light and clean for the same size guide. Mo, I gather that you are like me in your affinity for UL stuff on high-end blanks. I would use the Fuji Alconite if you can afford a few $$ more.
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Thanks Tom.
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Your a machine Tom. I knew you would know that off the top of your head. I'm pursuing these questions because I am wanting to keep the guides on this rod as light as possible, and while I may fish it with something as stiff as 8lb Trilene XL, I will probably more often go with 6lb mono or with 10lb braid. If I go with the BYAG20 and pull the choke guide back to create a straight line path tha
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My Shimano Symetre 2000 has a spool diameter of ~41mm. I assume the Kinetic 1000 is a bit smaller?
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Tom, I have referred numerous times through the years to your "Smallmouth Rod" article using the SJ700 blank. I am currently working on a rod very similar and was wondering if you could tell me the distance from spool face to butt guide on both your 6lb (using Y20 guide) and 8lb (using Y25 guide) versions. I am curious to see if it will be similar to something I am doing. Thanks.
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Steve, How far from the spool face to the BYAG20? That sounds like exactly the kind of rod I'm setting up.
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How many guides would ya'll expect for a 6 1/2' fast action spinning rod set up NGC with a Shimano 2000 reel?
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My son has a rod that throws 4-6 mono fine and it uses size 3 guides. I'm guessing the knot is the issue. I can't imagine 8lb braid wouldn't pass through tiny guides.
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I built a rod for my little girl using the SPG723. It is a nice little rod but is fiberglass with a more moderate action. Great price and nice blank but I think there are some graphite blanks out there that would be more fast and crisp.
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Get the back issue of RodMaker that fearture an article on surf rods. I have them with everything from the very long handle to the rather short. It all depends on how he will be using it, but the RodMaker article covers all of that.
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Can anybody point me to a good option for prescription polarized glasses. I have been making do with fitovers for years, but I spend so much time outside and the outdoor sports are my chief hobby (and my eyes are getting to that age!) that I am willing to go ahead and invest some $$ in a good pair. I figured that all of you guys who fish so much could give me good pointers.
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I notice Batson now offers the 822.5 blank in RX8+, RX8, ISB and SB; ranging in price from $156 down to $38. Looking at the specs I am struck that the XSB seems to be the lightest of the bunch and is listed "fast" rather than "extra-fast" and has a smaller butt diameter. Is the XSB that different from the other three grades with the same numeric designation?
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The Forecast SP781-2, F763-2 or F764-2 would all probably work.
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What kind of crappie fishing does he do? Can you give more info?
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The new PDF catalogue on the St. Croix site lists it as 3.5/64s, but I have had them come in larger and smaller than the catalogue specs. Bob at Custom Tackle always checks everything to make sure my sizes match up but it looks like it will definitely be small. If you would like, I'll be happy to measure and shoot you a reply when it comes in. You're email is hidden so you might want to unhide
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Bob MacKamey at Custom Tackle hooked me up with one of these yesterday and I was just curious if anybody had used any of the new St. Croix SCV blanks and what folks thought of them.
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I notice on the Batson sight that they now have RX8 bass blanks but not RX8+. Are they phasing out the latter?
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I downloaded the new St. Croix catalogue after somebody told me to look at the new SCV blanks (reenforced with SCVI in the butt) as an alternative to the Loomis IMX Spin Jig blanks. Does anybody know how the new SCV would compare to the IMX, exspecially the Loomis SJ tapers.
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In the Mudhole catalogue the Matrix shows a larger butt diameter and smaller tip, but I know the printed specs aren't always accurate. I would say the blank will be used for micro-jig type stuff - 1/32 ounce up to about 1/8 - targeting crappie, bream, trout and sometimes bass. To say it another way - smaller baits on 4lb line (mono or braid) in very clear water.
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My understanding is that the Matrix is intermediate modulus, i.e. in the 40s, which is what I understand the GL3 to be. That would put the Matrix in between GL2 (standard modulus) and IMX (high modulus). Am I wrong?
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I gather that the modulus of the Matrix is in between GL2 and IMX but was wondering if anybody could compare the Matrix to the Loomis blanks otherwise. How do they compare in terms of overall weight and action?
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I have to echo the Batson service. I am an occassional builder who generates very little volume for a complany like Batson, yet every time I have sought it I have gotten personal attention and help from the owners themselves.
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