American tackle blanks - LS76-12/25 or LS76 - 20/40 should do the trick.
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I fish salt water. I love the nano-X. It cast better and is thinner than most other top brands. It has made a difference in my catches as it cast much better and much farther than other brands. The dividends really pay off when sight fishing, as you don't need to get as close to the school to make the cast. When fish are spooky that gives you a huge advantage! If you're going to be stalkin
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Most of my builds are saltwater builds for cobia, pups and specks. For pups and specks my go to is the American Tackle CB72 8/15. It's great for throwing 1/8-5/8 lures. Most of my customers use 1/4oz and 3/8oz lures when fishing this blank.
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Most of my builds are saltwater and 40% are flounder rods. Fish in the Chesapeake Bay and the American Tackle MB68/12-25 is my go to flounder blank. Handles up to 6oz of lead with no problem and I've had customers that were surprised with 40lb-50lb cobia whilel flounder fishing. Blank is great.
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I'm sure there are some differences in manufacturing, but I can't really speak to that and I can't really speak to the worm rod thing as I'm a saltwater guy but, . . . I've built on a few MHX blanks, and have built several different Bushido blanks. For my applications in saltwater, I like the actions of the Bushido's better. Not that the MHX didn't perform, I just liked the Bushido's better.
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I use the cross cut on many of my builds. Customers like them and often request them. They fit the hand well and are comfortable.
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The American Tackle CB68/6-12 or cb72/8-15 would be good. I use the cb72/8-15 for 1/4 and 3/8 lead heads and also for throwing 17Mr mirro lures. It really flings them out there. I would also recommend using the microwave guide system if you decide to go with one of these blanks.
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American Tackle makes some good pooping blanks.
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I double wrap everything. Probably overkill on the light tackle rods (15lb and under) but strength is strength.
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Got a set of the double foot MW 30's, great guide system for heavier rods. I put them on a cobia rod and it came out great! Also tried the nano X braid in 30lb, and it is awesome. Cast better and is thinner than Power Pro. Looking forward to using the 50lb Nano-X braid as summer approaches.
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Think the numbers may be crossed. On the American tackle website the only swim bait rods are listed as SWB not CB. The CB line is all graphite. I build on the CB72's and LS series regularly. I can't answer the question as to whats a better pitch rod, as 98% of my builds are saltwater.
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American tackle Bushido CB710-15-30
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American tackle Bushido CB710-15-30
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There are a couple of items that help make sales. The first is a quality product. People who buy custom expect quality. Form, fit, and finish are important factors and add to the quality of any build. Second - actually matching the rod to the person purchasing. - If possible always have a customer come to your shop and touch and feel the components. Let them decide where to put the reel
Forum: rodboard

There are a couple of items that help make sales. The first is a quality product. People who buy custom expect quality. Form, fit, and finish are important factors and add to the quality of any build. Second - actually matching the rod to the person purchasing. - If possible always have a customer come to your shop and touch and feel the components. Let them decide where to put the reel
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the responses! Lot of good stuff there. Reel is non-level wind and wrap will be to the left. I will load the rod and place the guides as needed. And yes it's easier to pull line with your thumb than it is push line with your thumb! LOL.
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I'm building a 500 gram jigging rod and want to do it spiral. This will be my first spiral wrapped rod and I have a question about the transition. I've read several articles and comments about transitions and still don't know what style will be best. The rod will be used for deep dropping in the Norfolk Canyon and jigging tuna. It is a Bushido blank (BVJ58500) and the reel I plan on using is
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What size thread and what size guides will be used? Sounds like a fun activity, looking forward to ICRBE.
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The Bushido SWB710/12-25 is a great swim bait rod.
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BUSHIDO! from American Tackle. I'm pretty much exclusively a saltwater fisherman and for specks, pups, and school rockfish these are my go to blanks. The MB73/8-15 or CB72/8-15 both meet your criteria. The CB72/8-15 is a more moderate to fast action in the tip, but it is great for topwater and casting 17MR mirrolures. The MB73/8-15 is my "jig rod". From 1/8 to 1/2 ounce lead heads
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I've put photos on rods a few times and have used the Papillo decal paper Tom mentioned above. Just make sure to measure the diameter of the blank and size the picture appropriately before printing.
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Get him exactly what he wants and let him help you with the build. If he helps with the build he will always love that rod as it will be his "first build". If he changes his favorite color later,then so be it, the rod will still have meaning as it was his "first build". At least that's what happened with my daughter. LOL
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Sometimes I will add a thin layer of finish and add the tip after the rod is done drying. The thread technique mentioned above is the standard though.
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Look at the American Tackle Bushido Blanks. Great line of blanks.
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I bought a kit from Riley Rods at the expo. Love dealing with Mike and Vicki. Great folks.
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Wow! Great discussion. Thanks for all the comments. I originally asked the question as a time saving issue. If I can carbon fiber over or an already made grip, I wouldn't have to pour the foam and shape it, which is kinda labor intensive. (at least for me) Also, It's more for just a look. black on black with black carbon fiber grips look incredibly, almost gives the rod a mystic. The ro
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Normally use foam core on the carbon fiber grips I make. Was looking at the cork and eva foam grips I had and got to thinking, why couldn't I just put carbon fiber over them It would save a lot of time. Anybody ever try putting carbon fiber over cork or regular foam grips?
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Shimano tekota 600 level wind. should do what you want it to. As far as learning to do without the level wind, no big deal, just have to pay attention to the line pile. A narrow spool reel like a shimano tyrnos 12 would also fit your needs and is easier to thumb guide the line as it has a narrower spool. I deep drop of the coast of VA, avg depth 300-600 ft, and I love my trynos 12 for that
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I've use them regularly. Me and a majority of my customers are 98% saltwater anglers. The guides do well with the inshore species and when you add the salt environment it adds a layer. Guides hold up well and get the job done.
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The CB78/8-15 is a great crank bait blank. I've built several and the performance is incredible.
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