Casting Skipping Rod - Blank suggestion (6'3 or shorter)

[Falkus]

Am thinking of getting custom casting rod for skipping since there is no "short rods" out there.  I have tried the 7 foot long and I kept hitting the water no matter what. Im going to be using mudhole as my source. 

It will be mostly 1/4 to 5/8oz jigs. I have no idea where I should start but I know that my budget may be up to $260 if i can get a good deal on those. It will be paired up with full cork and some cool guides

 

MHX 6'3" Med-Heavy Elite-X Rod Blank - NMB753XF-MHX
SKU: #NMB753XF-MHX
$115.00
6'3" | 10-17 lb. | 3/16 - 3/4 oz. | Extra Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power | 1 Piece | 5 Tip | 0.47 Butt | Platinum Gray Finish

 

----------------------------

 

MHX 6'6" Med-Heavy Elite-X Rod Blank - NMB783-MHX
SKU: #NMB783-MHX
$120.00
6'6" | 10-17 lb. | 3/16 - 3/4 oz. | Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power | 1 Piece | 5 Tip | 0.465 Butt | Platinum Gray Finish

 

Or 

 

MHX 6'0" Med-Heavy Shooter Rod Blank - CS723-MHX
SKU: #CS723-MHX
$58.00
6'0" | 8-12 lb. | 1/4 - 1/2 oz. | Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power | 1 Piece | 4.5 Tip | 0.521 Butt | Slate Finish

 

What do you guys think ? if there is something that I should look into and have my rod builder cut little bit down from the 6'6 model to 6'4 size. 

 

Please let me know 

[.ghoti.]

Rainshadow Immortal 6'8" M-F, 1/4-3/4oz, 10-17lb, 5 tip, 0.48 butt, 1.9oz, $95 list price.  I've built five rods on this blank, including one for myself. I like mine a lot, and the other four were very well received. I have one more in progress at this time. Don't be distracted by the medium power rating. Look at the line and lure ratings.

 

You won't find many reciews on the Elite-X blanks. They are too new to the market. I've built several rods on MHX blanks; original series, gen-2' and Elite Pro series. All made very nice rods for the price. The Elite Pro blanks are on my best bang for the buck list.

 

Immortal blanks are at the top of my best bang for the bucks list.

[Falkus]

@.ghoti.

 

For the Elite Pro - NEPS78MHF-MHX

 

What does that rod blank compare to ? I could get the 6'6 and have him to cut it down to 6'4. How would the action react if he does it from the bottom ?  Stiffer or softer ? 

[spoonplugger1]

The G Loomis CR series rods have been around for dang near half a century and still are. 6 ft., and sweet casting rods in all the weight classes.

[Falkus]

wow - learned something today.

 

Never knew that it exist.  Just wish that it doesnt have the front cork on it. 

 

[spoonplugger1]

That wouldn't stop me from fishing one of those fine rods, if you haven't fished one you don't know what your missing. The CR721 IMX should be a phenominal skipping rod as it's like powered spin jig rod sure is.

[Falkus]

@spoonplugger1

 

Thanks for your suggestion, I have been looking that model on ebay

 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The nice thing about the MHX shooter blanks is that you get the short length without sacrificing any power by trimming. Whatever you choose needs to load well with your bait choices. If you're working with a builder doesn't he have recommendations?

[spoonplugger1]

I got the impression from your first post that you were only going custom because you couldn't find what you need, so I mentioned something available. Rarely is a custom cheaper than the factory rod of similar materials, not from the quality builders I've been associated with all these years.

Delaware makes an excellent point, I've heard good things about the shooter blanks, I've only used one and it was a heavier powered blank than you need, so I can't help you there.

[Falkus]

@Delaware Valley Tackle 

 

Yes - I have been in touch with him, I'm just asking around to see what others suggest to get a better picture. Once he comes back home from Holidays. I will see him again as he is currently repairing two of my rods. 

 

 

 

 

 

[.ghoti.]

On 11/22/2018 at 8:05 AM, Burke said:

@.ghoti.

 

For the Elite Pro - NEPS78MHF-MHX

 

What does that rod blank compare to ? I could get the 6'6 and have him to cut it down to 6'4. How would the action react if he does it from the bottom ?  Stiffer or softer ? 

Sorry, no experience with that particular blank, but the other Elite Pro blanks I've built on have been very nice.

 

Trimming two inches off the butt will technically reduce power and slow the action. Be very willing to bet you could not tell the difference. Trimming two inches off the tip would definately be noticeable, and would be the wrong thing to do in my opinion. 

[Alex from GA]

I'm in the minority in liking shorter rods for worming.  I've been using an MHX shooter blank for about a year for finesse worms and really like it.  Rainshadow has a walleye blank that is perfect for dock shooting; IMMWS62MXF.

[spoonplugger1]

St. Croix has a simlar length blank to the Rainshadow. They also had a 5 ft. 9 in. blank to if I remember right, though I don't think I've handled one, back in the 80's some liked walleye jigging rods down to 5 1/2 ft.

[fishwizzard]

 

On 11/22/2018 at 6:21 PM, spoonplugger1 said:

That wouldn't stop me from fishing one of those fine rods, if you haven't fished one you don't know what your missing. The CR721 IMX should be a phenominal skipping rod as it's like powered spin jig rod sure is.

 

I have four of the Classic Bass rods, a pair of cr723's, a cr721, and a cr782.  They are all great rods and the tapers are amazing.  The only one I am not in love with is the cr721, but I realize that is a personal failing that I will have to live with ?  @Burke, if you are in central-ish MD and want to meet up and give it a try I should have a bunch of time next week.  

 

I also have a spinning rod build on the MHX 6'0" Med Shooter Rod Blank CS722.  I had it build as a MWF rod and it will skip a Ned rig like a champ.  It's pretty sensitive too, I would put it up there with the old model IMX rods that I have.  

[MickD]

On 11/22/2018 at 9:05 AM, Burke said:

How would the action react if he does it from the bottom ?  Stiffer or softer ? 

I doubt if it would make an appreciable difference.  What I would recommend is to tape on some guides and place the reel seat as if it's a 6-4, try it, then do it over for its 6 -6 length.  I'll bet you won't tell the difference on power or action.  But the two inches might be significant simply by giving a little more clearance to the water.  If the latter is not true, then simply leave it alone at 6 - 6.

[Falkus]

Update:

 

Had two rods that needed repair on. One had broken tip which converted to 6'5 rod instead of 6'9. I thought i would try this out to see if it meets my needs.  

 

Rod: Carbonlite MH Extra fast action (Black) turned out 6'9 to 6'5.  

Reel: Daiwa SV103XS (7.9)

 

Tested it out twice and I was skipping beautiful...