I've Decided To Build A Jerkbait/topwater Rod. First Build, Advice On A Blank.

[webertime]

So I am going to be building my first rod this winter. I am going to try a rod to use for Jerkbaits and some TW (6'6"-6'8"). This will be my first build and was wondering if anyone had a suggestion on a good entry / "serviceable " blank (not NFC/K2 level) for throwing pointers and other ~1/2oz baits.

[Dwight Hottle]

Take a look at the st croix blanks.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

IMO MudHoles MHX blanks can't be beat on a bang for the buck basis. Especially on a first build.

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/MHX-Spinning-Casting-Rod-Blanks/MHX-SB812-Blend-Blend-Rod-Blank

[MickD]

Your first rod will be a learning experience, so I would not invest a ton of money on blank or components. Look for an inexpensive "crankbait" blank from sources like Netcraft or Mudhole (probably not their MHX line), reasonably priced guides (all guides are capable of lasting almost forever), a good tiptop (like Fuji BFAT) that will last almost forever. You might consider a kit. Your skills will increase with every build, and as you gain confidence and ability, you will naturally migrate to the more expensive, but maybe not much better, stuff. Consider a subscription to Rodmaker Magazine (http://www.rodmakermagazine.com/), and go to the forum http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2. With both, you will learn a lot with every issue or visit. Good luck, and enjoy a very rewarding hobby!

[Tony Monticelli]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Tackle-Craft/Rod-Building-Kits|/pc/104793480/c/104776380/sc/103869180/Pacific-Bay-Custom-Rod-Building-Kits/1320761.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-tackle-craft-rod-building-kits%2Fpacific-bay%2F_%2FN-1100408%2B1000004235%2FNe-1000004235%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103869180%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104776380%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104776380%3Bcat103869180

casting rod? 20 bucks gives you what you need to play... looks like it would turn out to be a decent rod... plus its $20..

[froggerbass]

x2 on the st. croix, i don't use any of their rods but the 6'8" medium extra fast. There is not a better rod out there. I got to hold the $400 megabass rod specifically designed for the vision 110's last week and as incredible as it is, the st croix legend 6'8" had much better feel.

[RandySBreth]

A 2nd on the Mudhole MHX blanks. Best buy for your money. Another thing is they have the guide spacing chart for each blank right there on their website - that helps a new builder a bunch.

[rippin-lips]

I've never built a rod but I did have an Mhx blank built for me and it's a great rod to fish with. The blanks have gotten great reviews online.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I would start with a cheap pac bay rod building kit to get some practice on. I got one on cabelas for $30 bucks and now i feel more confident that i will be able to make a better more expensive rod on my next build.

[Teal]

Personally I think that you should plan to build two rods. On the first rod, I would invest very little. Spend your time on this rod and use this build time as experience. Customize as much as you can with an inexpensive rod kit like the one from cabelas. Then on rod number 2, once you have little experience buy a MHX or another mid market blank and better components. Just my two cents.

Good luck

[MickD]

Most of the advice you're getting is not about how to satisfy your fishing needs, but about what brands are best in the writers' opinions.  Regardless of what brand you use, for topwater (and crankbaits) you want a medium action blank with the power matched to your fishing lure weights.  Then it will load properly on the cast.  The medium action should be soft/slow enough to not jerk the hooks out of the fish.  On topwater the biggest error most make is setting the hook too soon and too hard.  Fast actions are not right for this type of fishing.

 

I still maintain that for the first build a reasonably priced blank of the proper characteristics will be the right choice.  You will make mistakes.  Make them on a reasonably priced blank and not on a $100 + St Croix.  This string started so long ago, the rod is probably already done?  Tell us what you chose for a blank and how it went.