Choosing A Rod Blank

[caudburns11]

I'm trying to get into building my first rod and I have been browsing mudhole.com the past couple days trying to figure things out and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different rod blanks to choose from. I want to build a 6'6" - 7' Medium Heavy rod for the PQ I hope to pick up this weekend. I don't want to drop $150 on just the blank but I also want to make a decent rod I can use for awihle. Is there anything I can do to narrow down my options? Do you have any suggestions for a good one?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Choosing blanks is a skill that will only come with time, experience and experimentation. Starting out, I'd look for an MHX or CRB blank from Mudhole or search other suppliers for a clearance Rainshadow blank. There are some good deals out there. 

[Ben Eipert]

I would definitely look at MHX blanks.

[Batson]

I'm trying to get into building my first rod and I have been browsing mudhole.com the past couple days trying to figure things out and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different rod blanks to choose from. I want to build a 6'6" - 7' Medium Heavy rod for the PQ I hope to pick up this weekend. I don't want to drop $150 on just the blank but I also want to make a decent rod I can use for awihle. Is there anything I can do to narrow down my options? Do you have any suggestions for a good one?

Of course.. It is very hard.. Just like Delaware  Valley Tackle said, you can find any one of our blanks on either clearance or normal stocking items. Here is a suggestion though. 

For the blank: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx6-bass-casting/  Found online through a retailer of ours: $40ish

Then you can buy a handle kit: http://alpsforecast.com/products/handle-kits/forecast-handle-kits/  ( just choose the item which suits your fishing style )  Found online through a retailer of ours: $23ish

Then you can sort out a guide set. Just depends.. If you follow the RX6 blanks, there is a tab called "BluePrints" and you can pick out guides.  Found kit online through a retailer of ours: $25ish

So total for parts: $90 or so for basically a $200-$225 off the shelf rod that you find in a store!

 

Choosing blanks is a skill that will only come with time, experience and experimentation. Starting out, I'd look for an MHX or CRB blank from Mudhole or search other suppliers for a clearance Rainshadow blank. There are some good deals out there. 

Yes this is true.. Thank you for the shout out DVT! 

[Hogsticker]

If looking to spend around 60 bucks the Mhx and Rainshadow Revelation are great choices. If wanting a little more in the sensitivity department, for about 40 dollars more the Mhx high mod and Rainshadow Immortal are stellar options. What do you prefer considering taper, action, and flex? What will you be using it for? Answer those questions and people can point you toward the right blank. Asking questions as you are is the best way to weed through the numerous options but we need more information.

[sarcazmo]

First, you need to decide what you want to use this blank for.  If you want to use it for a bottom contact application, If you can swing it, get a nicer blank.  You'll appreciate it in the long run.  A nice blank can make a world of difference.  

For around ~100 my blank of preference is the Immortal line, but to be fair I have not built a new MHX hi mod just the first gen.  A decent set of guides (depending on how many you decide to use ~20-30 dollars, and then your grip of choice.  You could probably squeak by at about ~150 dollars and you'll have an AWESOME rod.

 

That being said thats only for the rod build.  You'll still need everything else, thread, epoxy, etc etc.

 

Getbit and mudhole both offer great tutorial series on youtube about building rods.  Watch them all.  Then watch them again.  Check out this forum, ask questions, and rodbuilding.org is a great resource as well as they have a HUGE archive of information.

[FD.]

This is what you should start with.

 

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/MHX-Casting-Kits_2/MHXCK-5

 

Around $100 with shipping and everything is included.  Reel seat, grips, guides and tip top.  It's an 843 blank which I build on the most.  It will be an awesome, multi purpose rod you will have forever.

[tbone1993]

Choosing blanks is a skill that will only come with time, experience and experimentation. Starting out, I'd look for an MHX or CRB blank from Mudhole or search other suppliers for a clearance Rainshadow blank. There are some good deals out there. 

 

 

Of course.. It is very hard.. Just like Delaware  Valley Tackle said, you can find any one of our blanks on either clearance or normal stocking items. Here is a suggestion though. 

For the blank: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx6-bass-casting/  Found online through a retailer of ours: $40ish

Then you can buy a handle kit: http://alpsforecast.com/products/handle-kits/forecast-handle-kits/  ( just choose the item which suits your fishing style )  Found online through a retailer of ours: $23ish

Then you can sort out a guide set. Just depends.. If you follow the RX6 blanks, there is a tab called "BluePrints" and you can pick out guides.  Found kit online through a retailer of ours: $25ish

So total for parts: $90 or so for basically a $200-$225 off the shelf rod that you find in a store!

 

Yes this is true.. Thank you for the shout out DVT! 

 

 

This is what you should start with.

 

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/MHX-Casting-Kits_2/MHXCK-5

 

Around $100 with shipping and everything is included.  Reel seat, grips, guides and tip top.  It's an 843 blank which I build on the most.  It will be an awesome, multi purpose rod you will have forever.

Not trying to piggyback this post but I've got a local guy willing to do me a build for around $150. I've always been a fan of the avid crankbait blanks so im looking at the mh rod looking at the 3C70MHM  blank for some medium divers. Ive got a rod to cover the shallow stuff. Is there any other blank you guys recommend for this application? Also looking at some better guides and the fuji style reel seat. Shoot me a PM with how you would want it done. I've already talked to him I would just like multiple opinions. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That's nice blank and itself retails for $105, more like $125 w/ shipping. Med-deep diving cranks I like a glass rod. The MHX S-Glass are worth a look if glass is an option. 

[tbone1993]

That's nice blank and itself retails for $105, more like $125 w/ shipping. Med-deep diving cranks I like a glass rod. The MHX S-Glass are worth a look if glass is an option. 

Ive got a dobyns 765cbglass and love it for crankbaits. I was also looking at either a 705cbglass or 704cb glass (or just the regular cb) but couldnt decide if I wanted glass or graphite.  For $150ish I get a rod with the guide I want and wrapping so it really is a toss up.

[Batson]

Not trying to piggyback this post but I've got a local guy willing to do me a build for around $150. I've always been a fan of the avid crankbait blanks so im looking at the mh rod looking at the 3C70MHM  blank for some medium divers. Ive got a rod to cover the shallow stuff. Is there any other blank you guys recommend for this application? Also looking at some better guides and the fuji style reel seat. Shoot me a PM with how you would want it done. I've already talked to him I would just like multiple opinions. 

That is a great blank.. 

If your looking for Crank Baits here you go:

 

For magic and Kevin Van Dam winning multiple classics: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/eglass-bass-crankbait/

Also Keith Combs is using this as well. Btw, its not all Eglass

 

If you have to have a graphite one: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx7-bass-crankbait/

We have little ever come back that has broken or customers didn't like it. Great option and price is great too!

[tbone1993]

That is a great blank.. 

If your looking for Crank Baits here you go:

 

For magic and Kevin Van Dam winning multiple classics: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/eglass-bass-crankbait/

Also Keith Combs is using this as well. Btw, its not all Eglass

 

If you have to have a graphite one: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx7-bass-crankbait/

We have little ever come back that has broken or customers didn't like it. Great option and price is great too!

Im not a fan of the bigger blanks. Something about them just isnt easy on the eyes. 

[Batson]

Im not a fan of the bigger blanks. Something about them just isnt easy on the eyes. 

Its ok.. Everyone has preferences. That is why we included the graphite version of the crank bait blanks as well  

Our CB models in a 7'6" .41"-.495" and the 8' is: .465"-.50"

[Tyler j]

I personally really like the St.Croix blanks they are beyond sensitive

[bentrod1]

Great thoughts here - naturally the Batson sales representative is pushing his own stuff - so be it.  But his statement "For magic and Kevin Van Dam winning multiple classics" is just not correct and misleading - KVD does use Batson blanks - I bet KVD's attorney would love to lob this sales guy a new one for misleading consumers.

 

Back to the question - for your first rod building project don't spend a lot of money on a blank - try re-building some old rods first, then start out with a basic kit - the stores already have fit everything together for you (fitting the parts can be the hardest part of custom rod building).  Build up the kit, fish it - you will learn a lot!!  For your second custom rod pick out a better blank, maybe pick out some special parts (styles of parts) you like to make the rod a little more custom.  Build it, fish it, learn some more.  By the time you get to your third rod you'll have a much better understanding and dropping some $$ for the best blank will not feel so bad because the finished rod will be that much better.

 

Rome wasn't built in a day - neither will you first custom rod.  Take it slow, spend a little $$ to start to get the rod rolling.......it's a hobby you'll enjoy in the long run.

[MickD]

Very hard to beat the American Tackle Bushido blanks for the money.  Excellent blanks, as many of the others recommended are.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I've looked at the Bushido blanks but haven't tried one yet. What's your take? How do they compare?