Rod Builds Over the last 12 months-Recommendations

[Huckfinn38]

Over the last 12 months i have built several different rods and had the chance to use them.  I wanted to share my feedback on these blanks/rods in case you are looking to do a build. Today Ill discuss the Rainshadow blanks I have built/used over the last 18 months. I will say I think I have different preferences than some regarding fast action blank and jerkbaits.  I prefer and moderate fast action because it feels right to me.  I have also built on several RodGeeks blanks which I will update this thread as I have time.  

 

Rainshadow Immortal Inshore Popping

IMMP70H-TC is a 7ft heavy power/moderate-fast action blank for lure weighing 3/8-1 oz.  These are great all around blanks.  I primarily uses these      rods for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits up to1 oz, larger jerkbaits (110 size), buzzbaits, walking baits, and will even drag a jig with it or throw        Texas rigs with it.  In all honesty it probably is a little too fast for crankbaits and not as sensitive as I would prefer for jigs/texas rigs but does pretty        good as all around rods which is nice for me in a kayak.  I think it excels with spinnerbaits up to 3/4 oz or chatterbaits up to 3/4 oz.  

     

IMMP70MH-TC is a 7 ft medium heavy/moderate-fast action blank for lures weighing 1/4-3/4 oz.  These blanks make good crankbait rods, solid jerkbait rods if you like moderate fast action rods for jerk baits, and is probably my favorite rod for throwing flukes.  I think it does a pretty good job for

crankbaits.  I also use for medium sized lipless, wacky rigs, and some dropshot.  I will also throw up to 3/8 oz spinner baits and chatterbaits but prefer the heavy model discussed above.  This blank is also great for smaller walking baits like spook jr and sammys. 

 

IMMP70M-TC is a 7 ft medium power/moderate-fast action blank for lures weighing 1/4-5/8 oz.  I like these for smaller crankbaits probably up to 3/8 oz, love it for smaller jerk baits like 110 jr or LC Pointers 98, and for wacky rigs. I also will use this blank for dropshot as well and this blank also makes a great fluke rod.

 

Rainshadow Eternity Blanks- I will say this I love how these feel but have had terrible luck keeping them from breaking.  I think I ordered 8 of them and currently 3 of them are broken.  I will say this that I would not be surprised if these blanks were damaged in shipping.  Never broke this many rods in my life much less over an 18 month period.  I have also built on Rainshadow rods from surf to inshore to fly and now bass stuff.  They make a great product.

The ETEC72MH-SS is a 7 ft 2 inch medium heavy power/fast action blank for lures weighing 3/8-1 oz.  Great jig and texas rig rod.  Light and sensitive.  It has a little softer tip for a fast action blank so I have also enjoyed using it for jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, walking baits, and spinnerbaitsas well. It does a really good job dragging jigs up to 1/2 oz. Of the two I bought of these both are still alive and well. No breaks.

 

The ETEC72MH-SS is a 7ft 2 inch medium power/fast action blank for lures weighing 1/4-3/4 oz. This blank like the MH model has a little softer tip for a fast action rod so I have enjoyed using for jerkbaits, dropshot, and lighter t-rigs.  Also does well with blade baits and lipless crankbaits.  I bought three of these and one is still alive and the other two broke.  This breakage on one was not my fault and it was surprising how little stress broke this rod.  I cant remember exactly what happened on the other one.  If it was my fault it was 

 

The ETES72M-SS is a 7ft 2 inch medium light power with a fast action for lures weighing 1/4-5/8 oz.  I built on two of these.  One a spinning rod and one a casting rod.  The spinning rod has been awesome and I use it for lighter duty such as ned rigs, wacky rigs, small t rigs, and shaky heads, drop shot, and fluke jrs.  I used it inshore down on the NC coast for grey trout using 1/4 oz jighead and it was a lot of fun.  I havent played with the hover fishing yet but will use this spinning rod to do so this spring. The casting rod broke after a couple uses.  I did use for small crankbaits because the tip is pretty soft but also used a few times for wacky rig and drop shot.  This breakage was probably my fault due to high sticking in the kayak even though it was a small fish and not much pressure.  

 

[Huckfinn38]

Couple Edits...The Medium/fast action Eternity blank model is the ETEC7M-SS vs ETEC7MH-SS.

19 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

If it was my fault it was 

Not sure what I was saying other than that one couldve been my fault.  

[Huckfinn38]

RodGeeks Carbon 4 C470MHF is a medium heavy power fast action blank with lure rating of 3/8-1oz.  This rod is a phenomenal jig/t-rig rod.  Light and sensitive.  It is my go to for jigs/t-rigs up to 5/8 oz.  I will also throw buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits but typically this is just for jigs/t-rigs. Typically one of the 6 rods I take on the kayak.

 

RodGeeks Carbon 4 C470MF is a medium power fast action blank with a lure rating of 1/4-5/8 oz.  This is a sweet blank as well.  I use it for wacky rig, sometimes jerkbaits, small swimbaits, blade baits, shaky heads, and drop shot.  If I know im specifically using a drop shot and wacky rig it will being 1 of the six rods I take. 

 

RodGeeks Carbon 4 C4711HMF is a heavy power moderate fast action blank with a lure rating of 1/2-2oz. This is the rod I use typically only for a-rigs.  I have used it for big crankbaits but prefer their fiberglass blank because the C4711HMF wears you out with big crankbaits.

 

RodGeeks Carbon 2 C270MF is a medium power fast action blank with a lure rating of 1/4-5/8 oz. It is a cheaper version of the C470MF discussed above.  Major differences between the C470MF is it is heavier weighing 2.05 oz compared to the 1.9 oz of the C470MF blank.  I cant feel the weight difference but the blank definitely has a softer tip.  This tip is so soft it feels more moderate fast action to me.  I havent used this rod much as it will be my New River smallmouth rod.  I will use it for smaller chatterbaits, smaller spinnerbaits, t-rigs, shaky heads, and topwater.  Tip is soft enough for me to use for smaller jerkbaits like LC Pointer 78s.

19 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

MMP70M-TC is a 7 ft medium power/moderate-fast action blank for lures weighing 1/4-5/8 oz.  I like these for smaller crankbaits probably up to 3/8 oz, love it for smaller jerk baits like 110 jr or LC Pointers 98, and for wacky rigs. I also will use this blank for dropshot as well and this blank also makes a great fluke rod.

This is LC Pointers 78 not 98

[Huckfinn38]

"The ETEC72MH-SS is a 7 ft 2 inch medium heavy power/fast action blank for lures weighing 3/8-1 oz.  Great jig and texas rig rod.  Light and sensitive.  It has a little softer tip for a fast action blank so I have also enjoyed using it for jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, walking baits, and spinnerbaitsas well. It does a really good job dragging jigs up to 1/2 oz. Of the two I bought of these both are still alive and well. No breaks."

 

Update this is the best jerkbait for 110 size jerkbaits that i have found.  I cut a couple inches off the but and it is sweet for this.  As much as I am frustrated about the breaks of the Eternity rods, Im going to have to order a couple more.

 

Couple other blanks 

RodGeeks Bass Series 3 C372MHMF is a 7 ft 2 inch medium heavy power rod and is a moderate fast action for lures weighted 3/8-7/8 oz.  This blank to me is more of a medium power rod and is perfect for small jerkbaits IE 110 jr/110 jr +1/Lucky Craft Pointers up to 100.  I also have been using this rod to throw small cranks/squarebills and so far I like it.

 

RodGeeks Bass 4 B473MM 7ft 3 inch is a medium powered/moderate action crankbait blank for lures rated from 1/4-3/4 oz.  This has become my go to crankbait rod and I primarily throw DT6-DT10s, squarebills, Spro Lil John 60 DD, 5-7 Frittsides, and have even thrown Lil John 70 DDS with it and it is an awesome crankbait rod.  

 

RodGeeks Carbon 3 Series C371MF is a 7 ft 1 inch medium power/fast action rod for lures weighted from 3/16-5/8 oz.  This rod is perfect for small swimbaits (keitech 2.75-3.8), shaky heads, dropshot, and wacky rigs. You could also throw Texas rigs with 1/16-3/8 oz weights as well which I would do river fishing for smallies in the NC mountains.  I built one casting and 1 spinning. The spinning is will me 90% of the time.

[1984isNOW]

Great thread bro, keep it coming.

 

I'm considering a Rodgeeks, Eternity, or Point Blank build later in the year.

 

I still can't figure out if I prefer extra fast but slightly lighter power, or slower but slightly more powerful blanks for most techniques.

 

You ever build on NFC?

[Huckfinn38]

The only NFC blank I have built on was a 705 Zentron which is a crankbait blank.  I have used some of their soft touch Carbon Grips which I love the feel of.  

Their website for me is a little overwhelming and finding something I want is a little difficult.  

Also I have heard that getting their stuff can take a while. 

[Alex from GA]

6' ultra light Mudhole blank for bream with 4 lb mono and a 1000 Okuma reel.  I'm using it several times a week while I'm in FL.  6'8" Rainforest Immortal fast action 6-14 lb line for finesse worm fishing.  Didn't like it so built a 6'8" Immortal walleye extra fast for the same thing, love it.  I have been using a 6'2" immortal walleye for several years and wanted a longer better casting rod.  I'm using the 6'8" rod with braid and 6 or 8 lb fluorocarbon leader with a Tatula 2000 reel.  

[Huckfinn38]

Im actually look for a crappie rod to have in the kayak with me.  Ill have to check out that mudhole ultra lite.  Currently using the Rainshadow Immortal IMMP70ML.  I want something that has better sensitivity.