Matt- I’ve been wanting to try the nsj871 but it’s always out of stock. I Would build as a spinning rod but very cool to hear you did a casting build with it.
Forum: rodboard

I use winding checks on my rods with carbon fiber or Winn grips as it just looks cleaner (and I have a ton of the black vinyl ones from kits I got from Mudhole) otherwise with eva grips I just skip them. Wouldn’t buy them personally.
Forum: rodboard

I’m a Minnesota smallmouth bass junkie and love the rivers. Just going to post some of my favorite smallmouth blanks and some that I wanting to tryout. Feel free to post some of your favorites or comment. 1) mhx NEPS81MXF for Ned rig, finesse swimbaits, drop shot, wacky worm, Midwest worm, finesse tubes and even jerkbaits and small cranks 2) mhx NMB-873 anything bottom contact, larger swimbai
Forum: rodboard

I use 5’s on my panfish rods and fish slip bobbers, no issues. Also use size 5’s on my 15 braid to 10 fluorocarbon FG knots and never have issues.
Forum: rodboard

I'm in Minnesota, smallmouth junkie, largemouth, walleye and crappie fisherman. I'm normally fishing a river if possible. Smallmouth would have to be the MHX NEPS81MXF (spinning), covers every spinning application (small tubes, soft jerkbaits, wacky worm, drop shot, shaky head, ned rig along with small swimbaits, poppers, jerkbaits, even little cranks it can do okay. Largemouth would be t
Forum: rodboard

Lance - On the P703 or you going HM or IM, or doesn't really matter, Interested in that, seems very light in both models. I prefer mono on topwater too.
Forum: rodboard

Thank you Norm, that's great. I really like the MHX NEPS line, have the NEPS78MLF, 2- NEPS78MF, 2-NEPS81MXF and a NEPS86HF. Super light with a little softer tips than other MHX blanks.
Forum: rodboard

Great info Norm, from research i felt the SJ705 would be similar to the MB843 but could never confirm. I'd like to try PB blanks just can very pull the trigger. Currently I'm just using a spinning rod for jerkbaits, the MHX NEPS-MXF works well for so many applications but was seeing what else was out there. I'll probably try the SJ705 for topwater/all purpose river blank. Norm do you have a datab
Forum: rodboard

No, all the information the better, really appreciate everyone's input. Exciting to find/join/discuss on this site.
Forum: rodboard

Great information, sorry I need to be more clear, yeah I meant a casting rod for walking baits, spook style baits. 1/2 oz jerkbait and similar topwater. Fishing mostly smallmouth around rocks and sand on the upper Mississippi river. Leslie I appreciate your in depth analysis. A glass rod that has a tip that could work a jerkbait would be crazy/life changing, maybe you're on to something! Sj703 xr
Forum: rodboard

There was so much good information in my last post that I had one more question on a different technique. NFC doesn't really have a dedicated hard jerkbait (like 110's) rod like MHX with the MB812XF and MB813XF and for top water I like the MHX MB843. From the NFC rods what do you see as a good blank that could do both techniques well? Blanks that come to mind for me are the MB705 (IM), the SJ705
Forum: rodboard

Ross - I've wanted to try the S2 glass rods, I think this is what Alpha Anglers uses in their rebound series of cranking rods. Might be great for open water chatterbaits but might flex a bit too much ripping through weeds. I like the blank you choose, hopefully it's a good one!
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Aaron, I'll just get both! why not, right?
Forum: rodboard

I personally don't, I like a fast M to MH spinnerbait rod and more mod/fast MH to H on chatterbait. I missed a lot of fish on my choice for spinnerbaits (MHX MB843 or MHX MB873) and had much better hookup success with my choice for chatterbait (MHX CB907). That's the preference for me, for others probably they can be the same rod.
Forum: rodboard

Leslie - That is great information, thank you! The Xray Sj736 seems like the real deal for versatile blanks. I have that, the sb722 and the NEO on my short list from the Xray line for certain other builds. Again, appreciate the details!
Forum: rodboard

Aaron - Thank you, I was very interested in the NEO, it's ratings/weight just makes it sound like a beast (which isn't bad if it's balanced). The NEO pretty sensitive?
Forum: rodboard

I need help on what a great not just good chatterbait blank would be in the 7’ to 7’3” range. I prefer some give but need more sensitivity. I throw mostly a 1/2 oz chatterbait. Right now I’m using a cb907 from mhx and like it but looking for a shorter more sensitive blank. I’ve considered the hybrid 705, hybrid 7106 or 765 NEO (cutdown to 7’3”) and the mb724 delta. Open to all other blanks too. T
Forum: rodboard