Recommendations for rod power/action

[papajoe222]

I'm going to build a rod specifically for Spooks and other walking topwaters and wonder what you would recommend for power/action in a blank.  My current rod that it will replace,  doesn't list action or power, just lure weight recommendation.   Thanks

[.ghoti.]

Hey Joe, how goes it amigo? I have not built a rod for myself for that app. Yet. Were I to do so, i would be looking for a lure rating around 3/8-1.00oz, mid-fast action, and 6’6” or less. I use a 7’ rod when I throw a spook, and I will slap the tip in the water unless I pay constant attention to it.  

[papajoe222]

3 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

Hey Joe, how goes it amigo? I have not built a rod for myself for that app. Yet. Were I to do so, i would be looking for a lure rating around 3/8-1.00oz, mid-fast action, and 6’6” or less. I use a 7’ rod when I throw a spook, and I will slap the tip in the water unless I pay constant attention to it.  

Takin it day by day. How about you?

Like minds. Thinking 6ft. Med/Mod/fast, pistol grip, with 1/2 oz. in the middle of lure rating. I’ve been building on MHX blanks of late, but leaning toward Rainshadow or Forecast if they’re still available. Any recommendations on blank brand?

[MickD]

Rainshadow Revelations and American Tackle Bushidos are in what I call the "sweet spot" between price and performance.  Very sensitive, well performing blanks.  Get the length you want in a moderate fast action which will enable easier casting.  Look for their "crankbait" actions.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For top water and jerkbaits I like a fast action but softer tip. What sometimes are labeled “popping” blanks. They can be harder to find in heavier powers for full sized spooks. Rainshadow RX6 have up to 1/4-3/4. Heavier lid look at a ModFast graphite cranking blank. 

[MickD]

If one wants to go with "popping blanks," then there are some great blanks with these characteristics available from Point Blank. Look at the "hard specs" link for the CCS values, and go with AA (action angles) close to 80 degrees.  CCS angle, not RDA angle.

 

These are great blanks-I have two and have made two others for my son.  Very sensitive and versatile.

[spoonplugger1]

Lure rating are far more important than line rating, you gave us no info to form a base line, also you didn't mention what you're fishing from, I wouldn't use the same rod length if I was fishing from the floor of a john boat as I would the deck of a big bass boat. The longer bass boat rod would be smacking the water all the time. Also a longer rod moves the spook differently than the shorter rod, if you have been successful with your rod and developed good muscle memory with it, I'm not sure I'd want to re-learn the effective presentation you have now. I'd be thinking similar length blanks. Rod powers are arbitrary, a MH mag bass is nowhere near a MH popping or crankbait blank in power, that where lure ratings hopefully help in your selection.

[MickD]

5 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Rod powers are arbitrary, a MH mag bass is nowhere near a MH popping or crankbait blank in power, that where lure ratings hopefully help in your selection.

Not arbitrary if you use CCS which gives objective power and action numbers.  AND Point Blank blanks and Rainshadow RX10's have CCS data published.  The more you use it the more you understand about the blanks you are using and considering.  It is not difficult to set up one's own set of tools to measure CCS.

[.ghoti.]

MHX makes a line called Shooter blanks. All 6’. I have not built or handled one, so I can’t recommend it. I like all the Bushido blanks I built. Built a couple for myself. You can’t go wrong with a Rainshadow. I have built a bunch of those. Point blank are expensive, but the one I built for myself I believe is worth the price.

 

You’re going to have a tough time finding a 6’ blank. Just buy a longer one, and trim what you need off the butt. Technically , that lowers the power, but you will have a hard time telling the difference.

 

Me, I’ve been building a recording studio in my cabin. Haven’t had time to fish lately. 

[MickD]

To beat the horse some more, if you set up to measure CCS you can simulate very well what will happen when you trim the butt.  Just anchor the butt in the fixture as if it were the end of the blank.

 

I agree with Ghoti that if you take less than about 6 inches off a blank butt it most likely will not change enough to be a problem.  There are lots of 6 1/2 foot blanks out there.  As Ghoti says , the power will go down a little.  And it will get a little slower in action, so don't hesitate to buy one a little faster and more powerful than that which you want to end up with.  It probably will work fine.