Andy007

I've fished them with hair and skirted jigs, with and without trailers, trailers that are short and long, slim or bulky. It all changes how the chatterbait reacts. I've caught fish on every setup and not sure if one setup stands out? Just different! Some days different is good. Its easy to get wrapped up in thinking that a particular bait can only look or be fished one way. give it a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

I use Fuji BLAG size 5 on most of my builds and cut thin strips of tape to hold them in place. But I'm going to try this wrapping over then sliding the guide back into place, almost sounds to simple?

I have read on the CCS and agree that's probably the best comparison. I was guessing the specs meant more than power rating. Knowing they're different blanks I'm hoping for them to have similar power.

I have a MH mag taper MHX rod I built a few years ago and like the blank. Was going to try a comparable Rainshadow blank, the spec's are similar but the blank power on the MHX is MH vs M on the Rainshadow blanks? Should I go by rod power or spec's to compare blanks from different companies? MB843MHX 7'0 10-17 1/4-3/4 .590 5.0 2.45 IMMC72M 7'2 10-17 1/4-3/4 .530 5.5 2.5 REVC72M 7'2 10-17 1/4-3/4 .522 5.0 2.84

Has anybody handled both the rainshadow and Busido? The spec's are pretty similar, I'm wondering if one is noticeably faster or lighter at the tip?

Wanting to build a light jig blank for pan fish and bass. Throw from 1/32 to 1/8 light wire jig heads with short tubes and grubs or bucktail type baits.I have a 6' UL from Rainshadow and ST Croix, both blanks work but are a bit light and pretty whippy with little backbone. I have seen the Bushido SJ72/4-8 mentioned a few times on the forums and a few other blanks with the similar specs like Rainshadow REVS72L-SB or MHX S842-MHX. Is there any other blanks I should through into the mix? Looking for a light, fast and sensitive blank. Please share experiences and thoughts on differences on these blanks! Thanks Andy Here's the post from Bass Resoure

With the help from members on these forums and advice from the Batson Company I selected the REVS610MLXF blank for my last winter build. I made a casting rod with a spiral layout, nothing fancy just a functional rod. Loaded it with 10# braid and 90% of the time it had a 1/8 oz Texas rig with various types and weights of plastics. With that ¼ to ½ oz weight baits it casts perfect, tried casting a ¾+ oz bait and that made the rod real soft. I fish a lot of tall cabbage and had plenty of backbone for a good hook set. The sensitivity is great and when fishing the rod it feels really light and bites from weeds is easily read. Bottom line is I built this rod for light texas rigs and plain finesse jigs and it preforms at or above what I hoped for! Great forums and thank for your help!

My son was home over the 4th and we went to catch a few, and coming from a background of using only spinning gear wanted to try my casting rod Texas rigged with 1/8 sinker. WE tightened the spool tension knob and told him don't whip it and start slow. His first cast where short 10-15' or so and worked on his thumb. Loosened tension knob little by little and within a short time was getting more than enough distance and landing fish. A couple hours went by and never did get a birds nest just some loose line occasionally. The reel he was using had 10# braid , Heaver line maybe easier to manage but not necessary. Tighten brakes, start slow and train that thumb. Good luck!

I purchased a refurbished Lew's and looked and preformed like new. Also bought several used reels off EBay, but expect them to need a good cleaning and maybe a new pawl. After that they function as they should, deals can be had but you have to include cleaning and possible parts when buying used. And like stated before watch the seller's reputation.

I fish a lot of t-rigged stick baits and some days bass just destroy them. If they aren't torn in half I bite off on 1/2" or so and rerig. After they destroy that put them on backwards. After a good bite using stick bait I'll lots of 1/2" pieces on the floor. Fish don't care if they're shorter, backwards or have tears!

My 2 pieces of advise Keep the brakes on the tight side and loosen with time, while your thumb learns. Google removing birdsnest and watch a couple videos. I tried the one you pull out what line you can then put your thumb on spool with pressure and turn handle couple times then pull line out again. Repeat if necessary, supper quick, simple and no digging and picking. Good luck!

Thanks for the help.....the code worked!

Is this the code? I just tried it on some ammo and it said the code was invalid.

I would put an lure on and try casting. I've used a rod rated 1/4-3/4 for 2oz baits, worked ok just had to slow down and change casting style a bit. not ideal but still catches fish! Good Luck!

The first rod I built (12-14 year ago)I was going to use the cheapest blank I could find for practice, but the rod builder that got me started suggested to build the rod I wanted with a mid price blank. I wanted an ultra light jig rod for panfish, and I built that rod with a mid priced blank. 10+ years later that is still my goto rod when jigging for panfish. You can buy a 60-70 buck blank, add some components and have a nice usable rod for many years! Not saying that starting with budget blanks is wrong, I'm just giving another option. An when it comes to rod building the options become endless! And as suggest before Mudhole has many video's to help and free ship over $99. Good luck and if you have questions there are some very talented builders in the rod building forums!

Would you prefer to be a mediocre fisherman with fancy gear or a good fisherman with mediocre gear? Better gear might make you a bit more efficient(cast a few feet further or get an extra cast or two in) which might mean you could catch more fish? Give KVD a zebco 202 combo and he'll still catch fish or you can give a fisherman that fishes the wrong place with the wrong bait at the wrong time a $1000 combo and he still won't hook fish!

Out of the 5 or 6 BC's I usually have it the boat, 1 has 20# and the rest have 10#.

I started fishing jigs last year and like you ordered a few jigs to try, but ordered a couple different styles. As mentioned by some in previous post, the style is more important than the brand. In the bunch of jigs I ordered a couple where football jigs that I found out are about useless in thick weeds! I would say to lean towards jigs made for the cover in your lakes. The arkie style is a good universal shape. Good luck!

If you mean tying bucktail jigs and want weedless jigs? Try to find them without the weed guard molded in. Tie your jig up and glue the fiber guards after. If tying on skirts it doesn't matter.

I built my first rod about 15 yrs ago and still one of my go to rods. I wanted a 6' UL and picked mid priced blank and got a usable rod for many years. Putting together a basic rod isn't that difficult, as mentioned earlier Mudhole has good videos on everything from checking the spline to finishing the epoxy. Cork take a bit more work and tools than EVA. Take your time and you'll be fine! Good Luck

Sorry if I'm getting off topic..... I'm building the immortal 6'10 MXF and was looking for what guide spacing you used?

I'm building this as a spiral wrapped casting rod with Fuji alconite guides so they will a bit cheaper than a spinning setup. And maybe I shouldn't have stated under a 100 because I'm at that mark. I also know craftsmanship will affect the final product. I guess I shouldn't put a monetary value on the final product cause it really has nothing question and answer I was looking for.........Sorry about that Maybe the question should have more like; Don't know how to put it into words In your experience, If built the same, can the Immortal blank compare to mid priced($150-300) production rods in feel and sensitivity? Thanks again for your thoughts..

Happy New Year! Was talking with a friend and I mentioned that I build my rods. After some interest he asked how they compare to similar priced store bought rods for feel and sensitivity. Told him I’ve built a couple ST. Croix sIII for less than half of store prices, but that was 12-15 years ago and can’t find those blank prices any more. Also used a couple Rainshadow blanks costing half of the SIII and feel they’re comparable to the Avid series in the sensitivity. I’m going to build a basic casting rod on an Immortal spinning blank with alconite guides, and with the winter’s sales and free shipping it’ll cost me less than a $100 complete. So let me pass that question onto you……….How will this 100 buck Rainshadow immortal rod compare to a 100 dollar online or store shelf rod in a comparable length, power and action? His main question was about sensitivity? Or does it compare to a 200 dollar rod? Thanks

I put the tip of the eye (end of the wire)in a machinist vise and bend open just enough to slip the blade in and close just enough so the blade will stay in. By opening and closing the hook as little as possible it works.

I'm guessing I started using braid about 15 years ago and my primary bass fishing was T-rigs. And since I went from heavy stiff rods and 14 to 20 pound mono and have settled on 10# braid with 6-10 or 6-12 pound rated rods. Where I differ from most is that my drags are set to 7.5 to 8 pounds. Maybe I'm pushing the limits but with fresh knots the line and rods haven't failed me.