Point Blank Review/Question

[Logan S]

I've seen a few on here talk about Point Blank blanks so I thought there might be some advice to be had.  

 

Planning a spinning rod build, fairly standand - 7' medium-ish to be used primarily for light shakeyhead and wacky rigs around docks.  The rod I currently use and that I'm trying to build similar to is a Megabass XX Shakeyhead which measures out to an IP of 475g and an AA of 70deg.  

 

I've found PB's CCS data on their site and see 2 options for this (I converted ERN to IP with the NFC chart because I'm more familiar with IP)

PB701LXF:  ~435g and 77deg

PB701MLF:  ~570g and 77deg

 

So I know what the numbers say, I need to either go a little more or less powerful...But I wanted to see if anyone that's built/used either of these blanks could give me a real world take on them.  Anyone have experience with either?  

 

I know the PB's will be faster and I'm OK with that....I'm just trying to decide on the power.  I'm not married to making it identical to my current MB rod, I'm just using that as a baseline to compare against.  This rod should be more powerful than a typical dropshot or ned rod, more of a true 'medium' power (which I know is subjective).

 

Thanks!

[1984isNOW]

I'll be honest I'm new to building and haven't handled those blanks, but from the numbers and what can be somewhat expected from them I would go with a little bit lighter if its also faster. WOuld depend on what weight/hook you plan to be shaking with but doubling as a wacky rod that's my take. It would be a bit more of a blance between the changes from the rod your currently using, unless you wanted something relatively different. It is only 40g less powerful and on the other side almost 100g more powerful. 

 

I don't know the real world difference in feel and all that, but I imagine that the significant increase in AA and a 25% increase in power would feel pretty different if you go with the more powerful blank. Going down at least the difference is split with it being faster but a little less powerful. 

 

Good luck with the build and come back to let us know how it goes.

[MickD]

The 701MLF is my favorite finessse rod, and the favorite of a friend I built one for.  To put the power into perspective, it is a little more powerful than the St Croix SCV70MF, and a little faster.  The St Croix is a great finesse rod , too.  

 

I use it mostly for tubes and snapping 3.8 Keitech swimbaits off the bottom + occasional light cranks and Neds.  Since it's pretty fast, it's also pretty versatile on lure weights, going light very well.  

 

I would go with the 701MLF rather than the 701LXF.  It will cast the light stuff well and have a little more power for pulling the fish away from the docks.  I have a Tatula 3000 LT on mine, and it's a great light weight outfit.  

 

This pic is built the same way as the PB, but is not in fact that rod.

35 minutes ago, Logan S said:

Megabass XX Shakeyhead which measures out to an IP of 475g and an AA of 70deg

Both the PB's are a lot faster than this, so they will be different.  Digesting the 475g that you mention for the Megabass, I still would go with the PB701MLF.  Its limber tip for its overall power will cast the light stuff very well.

[Logan S]

21 minutes ago, MickD said:

The 701MLF is my favorite finessse rod, and the favorite of a friend I built one for.  To put the power into perspective, it is a little more powerful than the St Croix SCV70MF, and a little faster.  The St Croix is a great finesse rod , too.  

 

I use it mostly for tubes and snapping 3.8 Keitech swimbaits off the bottom + occasional light cranks and Neds.  Since it's pretty fast, it's also pretty versatile on lure weights, going light very well.  

 

I would go with the 701MLF rather than the 701LXF.  It will cast the light stuff well and have a little more power for pulling the fish away from the docks.  I have a Tatula 3000 LT on mine, and it's a great light weight outfit.  

 

This pic is built the same way as the PB, but is not in fact that rod.

Both the PB's are a lot faster than this, so they will be different.  Digesting the 475g that you mention for the Megabass, I still would go with the PB701MLF.  Its limber tip for its overall power will cast the light stuff very well.

Thanks Mick - that is great information.  I am OK with these rods being faster, it seems nearly all Megabass rods are on the slower side, so I'm actually looking at that difference as a positive.