1/8 - 1/4 jig blank

[Poprockz]

Hello all,

I have been eyeballing this section and have literally looked through all 12 pages of threads and read a ton! I am looking to make my first rod soon and i already have a specific technique in mind for my first build.  Im looking for a blank that can handle 1/8 - 1/4 oz jigs + trailers that has plenty of backbone to get a nice solid hookset.  Im relatively new to fishing jigs so i am lacking much knowledge on what to look for in a blank for one!

I am going to be skipping the jigs under overhanging limbs and around submerged wood. We have no real submerged rock around where i fish and wood is the primary cover. Likely will be throwing these jigs on light line of around 8 - 12 lb test.

My initial thought for a blank was  the rod geeks C473MHXS but the more i think about it, the more i dont think it is the right tool for the job.

With this being my first build  i know it will be recommended for me to go cheaper on the blank than that also. I want a happy balance with sensitivity and price in mind for a first time builder!  I plan to take my first build quite slow and am in no real hurry to finish it super fast...want my first rod to be done as well as i can manage, as i am a very quality minded person.

Anxiously awaiting replies and hopefully soon i can get everything together and get a build to show all of you lovely people!

Thanks,
Brandon

[EvanT123]

I don't fish "jigs" per say but I fish a lot of football jigs with hula grubs and other assorted plastics. For me its not so much the weight of the head but the weight of the attached plastic. The two weights I use the most are 1/8 and 1/4.

 I throw 1/8 plus heavy plastic on a medium power. 

1/4 plus heavy plastic onmedium power, this has worked very well but I am thinking a building a medium heavy rod, mainly because I am thinking is buying more 3/8-1/2 jig/tube heads. 

1/8 and 1/4 plus light plastic on medium light

There are lots of good rod blanks out there pick the brand/best deal and I'm sure you would be happy. I'd look for a rod that is a medium or light medium heavy. Maybe a medium St Croix or 3 power mag bass blank. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Rod geeks C3 , MHX, and Rainshadow all have good quality blanks at very good prices. 

[Hogsticker]

This is just me, but I think the 1st question you need to ask yourself is what are you looking for in a blank, and secondly how do you want the blank to behave. Some people like a super fast stiff tip rod for jig fishing, while others such as myself prefer something a little softer and more progressive. Do you fish braid or fluorocarbon? If you're going custom you may as well get it as dialed in to your style of fishing as possible. Some blanks that max out at 5/8 Oz according to ratings will actually fish lighter than advertised where 3/8 Oz is actually the sweet spot and vice versa. If you can answer these questions I as well as others can provide more specific options. What's the max limit you want to spend on the blank and build in general? My theory is on a bottom contact type of build keep the components and cosmetics minimal and functional and put more money into the blank if possible. For bottom contact I want to maximize the feel potential of the build, so I prefer a blank that doesn't have a lot of paint or finish on it. I know some will argue it doesn't matter, but in my hands it does. Some blanks are interesting in the way you can actually hear vibrations when you get a strike. A more raw product will amplify this. For that reason among others I prefer Phenix and MHX on budget friendly builds. Rainshadow has really stepped it up in the budget area with there upgraded Revelation line, formerly the RX7 which were impressive given the price. 

 

[basscatcher8]

I'd tell ya look through MHX or Batson both have been great for jig builds. With something that light you might even look at some of their spinning blanks and put a casting seat and everything on it.

[Poprockz]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I really appreciate it.

The current rod i am using for these light lures is a recon 682. It feels amazing and i love it for exposed hook presentations, but i am really not getting solid or consistent hook-sets through the weed-guards on these jigs.  I am looking for maybe something with a little more backbone!

I am intrigued by the spinning blank option to be honest. What benefits would that serve? Im assuming a softer tip with the same backbone as a casting rod? 

I am not particularly picky when it comes to length, tbh, though all my rods are around 7 ft. + or - a few inches. I will be running 8-12 lb flouro. Only action i have any experience with is fast, so i cant really say how i feel about any other action than that.

Lastly im curious how i would know what reel seat to go with, being as i have no place near me to try those kinds of components out.

Thanks again, 
brandon

[Big Bait Fishing]

a Phenix 707MH would be fantastic for your needs . nice tip that loads great for jigs around 3/8 oz. and good backbone for solid hook sets plus the blanks are pretty light ....

[Poprockz]

Hello again!,

After spending a ton of time on mudhole i have landed on 3 different blanks and just need a little help choosing between them. Some feedback from anyone who has used some of these blanks would be great!

Mag Taper:
MB842-MHX

 

High Mod:

HM-MB862-MHX

Elite Pro Series:
EPS86MLF-MHX

Like i have said previously, i care more about having the right tool for the job than the price! Which series holds the biggest advantages for finesse or light jigs?

Im under the impression mag taper is a little more stout and rugged where the high mod has the sensitivity? Does that leave the elite pro in the middle? It also would appear that if i went with the high mod, based on lure rating, i could use it for my jigs ranging from 1/8 - 3/8 oz. + trailer and still fall within the lure rating. Or would that be pushing it?

Thanks again for all the help,

Brandon

[papajoe222]

Based solely on your initial criteria, I'd go with the High Mod series blank as long as the cost factor is within your budget. it's right in the middle on both weight and line ratings.It's also the only Med. power one you listed. The Mag Taper blank is beefier and is likely perceived as having more backbone, but I'm not sure where it lies as far as power.

[basscatcher8]

I agree I'd be going after that middle one the Hi-Mod one if price isn't an issue. I don't know anything about the Elite Pro so I can't really comment on it.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I use a lot of MHX blanks with great results. I haven't used the elite pro line though. The ml is crisp but depending on the trailer 3/8 plus might feel better on the HM med. plus you have the extra power in the butt. 

[kickerfish1]

From what I understand your first choice, the 842 will be a good blank similar to the old Loomis IMX rods. The middle choice is close to the GLX blanks of the past. I am having a rod built on the MHX Hi Mod Heavy series blank. Not sure about where option 3 fits in. I am not sure how they will fish a true 1/8 oz jig but should be good for 1/4 oz.

[Poprockz]

Thanks for all the great responses! The general consensus seems to be for the high mod then, which is fine and within the budget for sure!

It would appear that 3/8 or so would be the sweet spot on the high mod so that should be fine to through a little more and a little less!

Perfect answers everyone, i very much appreciate it!

Thanks,

Brandon
 

3 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I use a lot of MHX blanks with great results. I haven't used the elite pro line though. The ml is crisp but depending on the trailer 3/8 plus might feel better on the HM med. plus you have the extra power in the butt. 

A quick question for you dvt, being as you have so much building experience.

For a strictly light jig standpoint (1-8 to 1-4 oz jigs + trailer) do you think the mag taper ML would come out on top, or do you think that the HM Med would still take the cake while offering more versatility as well?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The standard MHX is  nice blank and I reserve the hm line for finesse applications which I would consider this case one of. I'd go with the hm based on my understanding of the application. 

[Poprockz]

Thanks so much, i trust you based on the solid advice you have given everyone on this forum and the constant support you give the members here.

Thanks again to everyone for your help and i think i have settled on the  HM-MB862-MHX ...

Now i just have to decide between the kit mudhole sells and getting all the parts myself!

[papajoe222]

If you decide not to go with the kit, give the good folks there a call. They can walk you through all the components  so that  it doesn't become a guessing game. For your first build, I would recommend the kit as all the components are already matched to the blank. The only things you may want to change or add would be cosmetic.