Shikiri MB 683-You have experience with it?

[MickD]

Anyone with experience making a rod from a Shikiri MB683 (Mag Bass) blank?  Couldn't resist buying one on sale, but not sure what is the best way to use it.  

The blank feels a lot like the Loomis SB 812 (spinner bait - the middle action one) in the hand.

It feels like it could make a great casting rod for lures in the 1/2-1 oz range, like the Loomis, or a fairly stout spinning rod for heavy jigs, jig & pigs, etc.  Might make a good dropshot rod? Would be very effective for twitching, I would think.

Comments please.

thanks, Mick

[Redlinerobert]

Mick,

Sounds like a nice blank.  Looking forward to seeing a picture of your finished rod.  What reel are you putting on it?

[AnthonyRSS]

Is that the 6'8" fast 10-17lb?  If so I have built 3 rods on them so far and love them.  I like them for lighter spinnerbaits (preference, I like a stiffer blade rod to pull heavier baits through the grass).  I have been using one lately for tossing 4" t-rigged tiki sticks and have caught a mess of spots.  I love the rod and for the price it cannot be beat.  

Anthony

[dbass]

Hey Mick,

Were did ya get the blank? All of the actual original Shikäri® blanks I have built on had a SHI, SHII, SHIII, and SHX, designation, never saw a MB. But I haven't seen any real Shikäri® balnks since they were bought out by ATC anyway.

[AnthonyRSS]

Thats how Mudhole is marketing them.  

Anthony

[dbass]

Hummm Thanks.

Kind of thought it was them.

[MickD]

AnthonyRss, what type of reels are you using with yours.  It is the 6' 8" 10-17 fast mentioned, and it was sold by Mudhole as a Shikiri shII, without decal as had been mentioned in previous posts.  If it's not shikiri, I got screwed.  But not out of much at the discount price.  Looks and feels very good.

I don't have a reel plan yet as I don't know whether to build it into a casting rod or a spinning.  Am leaning spin since I don't have a good "heavy" spinning rod-mine are more to the medium/fast variety.

Hoping for more comments.

thanks, Mick

[AnthonyRSS]

I built one up that has a Citica 100 on it that I mainly use for soft plastics, and I built one for a friend that uses an Abu 5600.  I think it has a good all-around action.  I have thrown 1/2oz spinnerbaits on it but it is a bit light for those for my taste.  Smaller works well.  I think the value of these is awesome.  I just finished a RX7 7ft 10-20lb fast and although I like the rod, I think the SHII in the same weight would be better.  

I used Alconites on the first one but I don't think the blank is quite light enough to justify them.  Went with hard alox Batsons on the others.  EVA split grip, no foregrip.  

I am working on 4 other rods on these SHII blanks, I think they rock.

Anthony