Tiller Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 I'm planning on building my first spinning rod and am looking for help choosing a blank. It's a little difficult to choose without being able to handle them. I'd like to build a rod for drop shotting but I wouldnt mind if the rod could handle some other finesse tactics as well. I'm looking at either the MHX sj842 or the ds822. Any opinions on these two rods for my application? I plan to use 10lb braid or 6lb mono on this setup and weights from 1/8-1/4oz. I've also heard the MHX blanks run a little heavy compared to their power rating, should I consider a 1 power? Thanks, Joe Quote
Super User Angry John Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 I have there 7'3" 2 power blank that I am building my first rod on. Your guide train will make a much lager impact on end weight and overall handling. I have half my guides still taped on and a full handle and its still very light. I ordered the high fugi guides and they are very nice. Quote
uncustered Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 I have built the mhx sj 783 and 843. Both awesome. I use the 783 for skipping and the 843 for unweighted senkos and plastics. If your concerned about weight, go for the fuji alconites, which are the lightest in their line. The mhx power ratings seem to be right on for their blanks. Also remember, they are judged by their blank performance. If they rate it too close to the true failure, then they'll be dealing with a bunch of failed blanks, they lose their reputation and out of business they go. All blank manufacturers suffer from these challenges. I think either of the blanks you've selected will do you good. (Full disclosure, I've been using mhx for 5 years now and haven't had a failure and fish 15+ tourneys a year ...) 1 Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 I've built two spinning rods recently, using Rainshadow Immortal blanks. Very impressed with this product, and will certainly build more rods on these blanks. Getbitoutdoors has them, along with top shelf customer service. 3 Quote
Hogsticker Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 If you want a dropshot specific and consider a Rainshadow 610mxf. In either the Immortal or Eternity line. I did extensive research on dropshot blanks on several rod building forums and this one gets mentioned several times as being quite special. If you're after a more universal blank go with the Mhx sj842. 1 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 Not in the same price range but the orange lamiglas 702 spinning blank is very nice. Further up the cost chain are the st Croix dropshot blanks. Quote
EvanT123 Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 One of my favorites is stcroix sc3 medium light fast. About double the mhx but it's my favorite so the $$ doesn't matter much to me. One thing to look at are the butt and tip dimensions. An example I recently purchased an rx7 sj781. This rod is rated as a light power but truth be told I think it will have more power that the ml stcroix. The butt on the croix is .4xx Compared to .5xx on the rx7. I bought the rx7 without looking at these dimensions and just going off the numbered power; with the hopes it would be lighter than the croix but that is not the case. Not a big deal as it's still a nice blank and I think will work great for casting grubs but just wanted to throw something else in the mix for you to think about 1 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted January 19, 2015 Super User Posted January 19, 2015 Sc3 would be great for a first build and as you build more then I would move up to the 5 Quote
EvanT123 Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 Sc3 would be great for a first build and as you build more then I would move up to the 5 Yes it would. I gather many peoples first rods don't turn out how they expect. Sometimes it's better to learn on something less expensive if mistakes will bother you. I have been in a mode now where I like to try different things on less expensive blanks and take what I like and carry it forward on more expensive projects. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 The DS822 has some back bone but casts light baits well enough also. For vertical jigging and target casting light baits the DS822 is a good pick. If you want long casts to fish shallow clear water the SJ 842 may work better. Rainshadow and St Croix equivalents are also nice blanks, but don't fall into the more expensive must be better trap. It may or may not be the case in any given circumstance. Quote
dwtaylor Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I just built a rod with the MHX DS822. So far I like it, but I need 2 feet of ice to thaw first before I can try it. It does feel like a medium side of medium heavy, but I wanted a rod for bulkier baits on a drop shot, like creature baits, gobies, senkos, or small tube baits. I am a rod balance guy, I want the rod to balance right under my front finger at the real seat. I had to put a 1/2 oz bullet weight it my butt cap to balance it out, which makes me think I wanted to go with the MHX DS822 HM. However, Mudhole was out of the HM model at the time, as they were on clearance. I had a lot of fun with my first build and I went with Microwave guides for mine...for something different. I also went with sk2 seats too, although I don't know if I would build a rod with that again. The most challenging part about the build was applying the wrap epoxy. I don't know if I used a bad applicator brush or not, but I don't have square edges on the epoxy. When I get time, I think I will touch that off to make it look a little better. When I get around to it, I'll post pictures. Quote
papajoe222 Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I've built two spinning rods recently, using Rainshadow Immortal blanks. Very impressed with this product, and will certainly build more rods on these blanks. Getbitoutdoors has them, along with top shelf customer service.I'm in the process of building a casing Rod for the same application. My choice was a Baston Rainshadow blank. I believe they discontinued this line of blanks, but I've built six rods with different Baston blanks and am very happy with their rating and performance. 1 Quote
Strothman Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 For the application your talking about, I borrowed a 6'10" ML XF St. Croix SC4, I do not believe their is a better rod for that application. I started on mine last night! (FYI, I have an in with my St. Croix guy, and the blank cost me $100 ) Quote
Batson Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Here is our websites.. Your are getting rod blanks built and design by fisherman and rod builders as well. Everyone in our office rod builds! Even the CEO and the President! We want you our customer to fish with the best! Tried and true and tested not only by us, but professional fisherman around the world! This way you can be rest assured you are fishing the best! Infamous Gary Loomis: www.northforkcomposites.com RainShadow Rod Blanks: The designer is Mike Thorson, VP of Engineering and previous head product manager at St. Croix!! www.rainshadowrodblanks.com Need Components? www.alpsforecast.com Quote
sarcazmo Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I have built on MHX hi mod as well as the new blank offerings from rainshadow .I haven't built on the new Gen 2 MHX hi mods though which look like nice blanks.At around the ~100 dollar pricepoint I really think the immortal series is tough to beat from a value perspective. It offers just about everything. If you do a search you'll find a review I did on the Immortal and Eternity2 blanks. 1 Quote
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