Blank Help

[dwtaylor]

I'm looking for a 7'6"+ spinning rod blank to use for small tubes (2 3/4") with mostly 1/8-1/4oz tube jigs but will throw up to 3/8 oz tube jigs too.  May use this rod for hair jigs and other finnese applications too.  Basically my Sturgeon Bay finesse special rod.

 

I'm eyeing the st croix 7'6" m or ml sciv or scv blanks.  I took a look at a st croix eyecon 8'ml rod on the shelf this weekend and it was way too whippy for my preferences, as it felt a little slower of a taper and almost no backbone.  Maybe that is due to it being a 2pc rod and scii blank?  Thus, should I go with the m or ml blank if I thought that 8' ml was too whippy?  

 

I'm either going to go with a microwave guide system or a k style Fuji with #4 runners. 

 

Thanks

 

 

[Tim Kelly]

I have a rod built on the Avid 7'6"ML and really like it for tubes and drop shot. From experience with other avid to SCV comparisons I would guess the SCV version to be significantly crisper, and a little more powerful feeling.

[S Hovanec]

The 3S76MLXF-2 may fit the bill.  I built the 1pc version for myself and the 2pc for a customer.  I liked the 2pc better.  It seemed to have a touch more power.

 

Another route to go is ML in an inshore series.  The inshore ML's fit between freshwater ML's and M's.  In St Croixs current lineup, you have the 3SW76MLF.  If you can find one, the 4SW76MLF is pretty nice.

[Angry John]

First thing to note is a blank is a blank no matter the label.  You may find that a fly blank may meet your needs best or casting.  The bfs guys like casting rods on spinning blanks a lot of time.  If you have a builder see if they have ccs numbers on the blanks your looking at.  The longer the rod the more wippy it will feel.  The lighter the blank the more crisp and less wippy it will feel for the same length. The guide train will only make the situation worse as you are adding more mass.  You did not mention if you planned to run a leader or not, so guide size is planned for me on spinning rods on this factor.  

[grub_man]

There might be an option in the Hot Shot line of blanks to fit the bill.  Maybe the folks at Batson could comment on how say a HS9001 or HS930 compares in action and power to the 7'6" ML Revelation.  Based on the specs of the blanks, I suspect that you might find a similar tip strength and a bit more power in the butt with the HS models.

[spoonplugger1]

The 8 ft. blank would be a bit whippy because it is a moderate action blank designed for cold water smallmouth fishing using the float and fly method, as the name implies, little hooks/light lines and a soft rod that protects same. It was never designed for jigging.

The 76MLXF mentioned has a very soft tip, approaching ultralight power that locks up quickly and finishes with good backbone. Tackle Tour tested the rod and gave it rave reviews and their Enthusist Award if I remember right. I built the 1 piece version some years ago and it is one of the rods I use a lot for many species and techniques.

[MickD]

In my opinion, it's not about one vs two piece or SC5 vs SC2, it's about the power and action specs.  For your use I would recommend a medium power, fast action., not a med-light power.  My favorite rod for the use you mention is a seven foot  SC5 medium power, fast action.  I also have a Rodgeeks 4 level, same length, same power, and it's fine for that technique too.  

 

I have built Rainshadows of the same specs, even medium heavy, and they are very good for tubes and jigs.  I'm sure you would be more pleased with the REVS72M or MH.  If mostly tubes, the M, if mostly jigs (skirted jigs with trailers or swim jigs with trailers) the MH.  Revelations and Immortals are both very fine blanks at a much lower price point than most others. Most of my builds are Rainshadows.

 

I have a couple ML power rods, and while they are great for snapping 4 in swim baits off the bottom, they are not right for tubes and jigs.  They don't have the power you want to set the hook , especially in deeper water, and they are certainly insufficient for jigs.

[dwtaylor]

So I handled some rods today.  I can say that the scv 7'6" m legend xtreme will be a little bit too stiff for what I'm looking for.  

 

Handled a 7'6" mlxf 2 piece walleye legend tournament 2 pc rod and it felt alright, but I really don't like 2 pc rods.  

 

I was blown away by the 8'6" mlxf legend tournament rod in the walleye series.  Does St Croix offer this blank for builders? 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

As far as I'm aware all their blanks are available. St Croix m & mh are on the heavy end of the power spectrum. I find myself leaning more toward ML for all my finesse spinning rods.