Thomas, is the 725 you're referencing an MB blank, or an SB blank?
Forum: rodboard

I've used the Forecast Skeleton Spinning seat on all of the spinning rods I've built. (only 6 thus far) I use size 17, and on all but one of them I have used the woven graphite insert they have available. On the other (a rod I built as a gift for a friend) I used the cork insert they have available. For me personally, I have no reason to try another type. I like the looks with either insert, I fi
Forum: rodboard

I've only built on 3 different NFC blanks. The DS 6107 IM, the MB 709 IM, and the MB 736 X ray, which based on CCS testing I have done, might very well be an SJ736, but who knows. Anyhow ... I truly do love them all, but if I had to pick one rod out of the rods I have built on NFC blanks to fish with, it would be the rod I have built on the MB 709 IM. Personally I'm hoping that someone has pur
Forum: rodboard

The CCS calls for the pointer to be mounted on the top of the blank. I may be mistaken, but I don't believe it mentions anything about it (the pointer) being in line with the center line of the blank in its vertical plane.You wouldn't be able to mount the pointer on the bottom of the blank, as it would hit the blank. As far as AA's for the blanks I've measured. The low is 69, the high, 80. Th
Forum: rodboard

The software Michael is referring to is actually called KR. KW is a specific type of guide. As far as test casting, without trying to add confusion I will just say that I don't go to the extent that others have outlined. I just make a couple of perhaps half powered casts, and if the rod casts smoothly, I leave it at that. I use the guide tubing that Mud Hole sells for holding on my guides, and de
Forum: rodboard

The MVT seats are sized at the front of the reel seat, so you need to determine what the diameter of the blank is going to be at the end of the threaded barrel. As far as reaming the seat and the insert goes, Reaming the insert has only caused me a problem one time, and that was because the insert wasn't epoxied into the reel seat, I contacted Batson to let them know, and was told that it should
Forum: rodboard

Michael, I may be making a good argument for CCS based on how haphazardly manufacturers rate their blanks, but I still stand by what I said earlier and that is that I believe the type of blank also plays a role in how a blank acts and feels. AA and IP, or ERN numbers are going to paint a picture, but not the whole picture. For that you need "Big Picture" kind of testing to find out wher
Forum: rodboard

Michael, you are absolutely without a doubt correct when you say I am disappointed with the Eternity blank based on what "I perceived it would be" based on the weight ratings listed in its' specs. It's not the first time I have been disappointed with a blank based on specs, or on what others have said about a particular line of blanks from a manufacturer. Luckily I was able to sell the
Forum: rodboard

Mark, thank you for correcting my math. How in the world I got 31 out of that is beyond me. lol And ok...... I'll go with the majority and say that they are not similar. In my defense, or more as an explanation ..... with the majority of the blanks I've built on thus far, 41 grams, or roughly 16 pennies, does not make much of a difference in how the blanks feel. As Mark pointed out, on blanks wit
Forum: rodboard

I see my last reply came in after Tom and Michael's replies. My apologies for not addressing things more thoroughly, I was in a bit of a hurry when I was making the post, but I wanted to state that what Tom said about blank's having different characteristics, despite having the same IP, and AA numbers. And I use IP because I personally cam relate to it more than ERN. Anyhow ..... The example I
Forum: rodboard

Tom, your last post is exactly the point I was trying to make in my earlier post. I haven't delved into the CCS beyond the "Big Picture", but I can see how it would fill in the parts of the picture that simply checking for IP, and AA would leave blank. Michael, I'm not poo pooing CCS entirely. I'm just saying that CCS AA and IP (or ERN) numbers don't tell the whole story. The Big Pi
Forum: rodboard

I'm sorry, but recent disappointments in a couple of rod blanks I've chosen, have soured me on how useful CCS numbers actually are. Blanks with virtually identical CCS AA and IP numbers can have completely different characteristics. One can have a less powerful tip with a strong backbone, the other can have a blank that flexes well into the blanks lower half. Since I was a bit of a gear head i
Forum: rodboard

Ray hit it right on the head .... the fish's head. Turn the head, turn the fish. I don't fish for trout anymore, but the tactic of turning the fish's head applies to bass fishing as well. For me it's more when the fish is at the boat, or when trying to keep a fish from jumping. When a fish is at the boat and is in the process of starting to jump, I keep the rod tip low to the water and try to pul
Forum: rodboard

The knot you're tying is called a Palomar knot. As far as using a wire leader on a light topwater popper that sits at rest ...... good luck with that.
Forum: rodboard

Ross, if you're comparing the blanks feel to other blanks or rods, that's one thing. But as Spencer said earlier, you can't base it off of tip size and butt diameter unless you know for a fact that the blank's wall thicknesses are the same, and that they use the same material in the same parts of the blank. Even the weight of a blank can be misleading. Not all high powered blanks are heavy, a
Forum: rodboard

Concerning leader material. You're fishing a topwater lure so you're going to have to use a line that floats. That leaves braid, or a nylon or co polymer mono filament as your only choices. Personally I'd stick with braid and put up with the bite offs. It's suppleness is going to be needed for proper bait action. Heavier test leader is going to kill your bait's action. That, and braid is going to
Forum: rodboard

While Phil is certainly correct about most freshwater anglers using lines testing 20# or less, many bass fisherman use lines testing 2 or even 3 times higher in breaking strength. I use 65# braided line for a couple of different techniques. And I know that a saltwater fish would turn most freshwater fish inside out if they were hooked up in a tug of war, but there are some incredibly powerful fre
Forum: rodboard

Personally I don't go to any great lengths to make sure the blank is perfectly level. Having been in the building trades pretty much my entire working career, I have a pretty good eye, so I just eyeball it. The only thing not having at least a very close to being level blank is going to affect is your finish. If the rod or blank is way out of level it may stack to one side, But I have never had t
Forum: rodboard

Yes a larger diameter spool is going to result in a smoother drag. The line isn't turning as tight of a circle so it will so it will pull off the spool easier. There are more than a few ways you can demonstrate this to yourself with common household items and some fishing line. As far as spool diameter and casting distance goes ..... you mentioned using braid on your spinning gear. My experie
Forum: rodboard

There used to be a lot of smart people that thought the earth was flat. Today ..... not so many.
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Spencer as to what recommended line weights he would consider a medium light, and medium power rod to be. As far as what you're now looking for, and that being a crankbait rod. A crankbait rod if that is what the main purpose the rod will be used for, is an entirely different animal than a rod I would use for some of the other baits you mentioned, so I won't suggest a blank. Of
Forum: rodboard

There is a good chance that I don't understand the quote that Tom posted. Perfection is an opinion, not a mathematical equation. Because it's an opinion, only the individual can define their definition of perfection.
Forum: rodboard

Josh, I'm curious as to which 6'10" M Immortal blank you got? The IMMS610M, or the IMMS610MXF? I'm kind of hoping you are building a general purpose rod and that you got the IMMS610M. If so, I'd love to hear what you have to say about it as far as its' power is concerned. If you could even possibly compare it power wise to other similarly rated blanks you may have built on. that would be
Forum: rodboard

With dimensions like that, I'd have to wonder if the Hitena is actually braided line, or just one single strand. I mean .001" is crazy small. lol
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Phil. There are differences. And even if blank manufacturers adopt a universal rating system for at the very least, the power of a blank, there will still be differences. And IMO is exactly as Phil said ..... different applications call for different blank characteristics.
Forum: rodboard

My personal interpretation of Norman's post is this ........... you have got to be kidding if you're worried about how much a coat of PG weighs lol But that's just me ....
Forum: rodboard

Not sure about those particular blanks Jordan. If you look at the dimensions listed on Rainshadow's web site for each blank, they don't match. The IMMS68MXF lists a butt of .470, and a tip of 4.0. The IMMWS68MXF lists a butt of .457, and a tip of 4.5. They do list them at the same weight though.
Forum: rodboard

As I have said numerous times. I use fluorocarbon line as the main line on spinning gear, actually can't stand braid on spinning gear, but that's just me. Anyhow, I use the 20,10, 5.5 reduction train with up to 10# Tatsu fluorocarbon, and it works beautifully. Far far better than on any of the factory rods I used to have that had COF guide trains. I use all 3000 series Shimano reels on my spinnin
Forum: rodboard

Certainly not speaking for Tom, but I can give my thoughts on your question Mark. As you said, two different surfaces touching each other create friction. How much friction is created is going to depend on how strongly those two edges are coming in contact. The coils coming off of a spinning reel, while moving rather quickly. aren't exerting that much pressure because ss the line is being pulled
Forum: rodboard

Joe, we're going to need to get you out on the water more. lol And thank you for the reply. Certainly the combination of an easier to accelerate rod tip combined with better line control both contribute in the equation. Mark, I sense a little frustration from you. I'm sorry to see that. Yes your intention was to present a valid test of two different guide trains, and you did an awesome job of
Forum: rodboard