Rod Blanks

[Carpenter]

What rod blanks do you guys like to use? I tend to favor St. Croix but am looking for something as good but maybe a little more cost effective. Mostly spinning, but maybe for a casting rod too.

[upnorth]

Over the years I have built on Fenwick HMG(long time a ago), Cabela's, St Croix, Rainshadow, and Loomis. Best bang for the buck in my opinion is Rainshadow.

[Mike Wallace]

I tried one of MudHole's MHX blanks for a build and the guy really liked it and I like the feel as well. He is a tournament walleye fisherman and used to the St. Croix's and other high end rods. Now he wants another on the same blank.

I just bought one for myself and now another guy wants that one. It seems to be a reasonably priced, high quality blank.

[FishinFreaks]

If you're looking for affordable quality, try the Lamiglas Excel series. They're a very cool looking copper color. I just built one for a guy, and I'm very impressed. I'm going to build one for myself.

My favorite, though, are the Phenix blanks. The couple I have had measured, are lighter, more powerful, and faster than comparable GLX & Legend Elite blanks without the price tag! They really rock. I fished almost all Phenix blanks last year, and will be building almost all (except for the Lamiglas experiment)Phenix blanks for my new builds this year.

[Carpenter]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm scheduled for a class in a few weeks to build my first rod. I already have plans for the next one...or two

I really want to try marbling, try to make flames. We'll see.

[Carpenter]

Also, what about a light blue blank? Does anyone have colored blanks or do they have to be painted?

[pureinsanity]

google mudhole rod blanks. you can get colored blanks there.

I agree rainshadow is a good cost effective blank. I have a couple rods that I have built that were way cheaper than my st croix blank on another custom rod i have. Needless to say my st croix rod sits and collects dust now

[bemidjibasser]

St Croix is my favorite blank manufacturer, but Castaway is a close second. Castaway makes a strong light weight blank for a very reasonable price. I have built about a half a dozen castaways lately and they are nice feeling rods! Swapland tackle has them out of Lousianna...

[8-Ball]

Mike- I am looking into the Mudhole IM 6 graphite as well.... how is their cust. serv.?

[FishinFreaks]

If you're buying from Mudhole, buy their MHX blanks. Don't waste your time on the inexpensive colored blanks.

[Mike Wallace]

8-Ball

I have had excellent customer service from Mudhole. They have added items I initially forgot to order. One time I was missing one guide in a big order and they shipped it out the next day on their dime. I have been very happy with them.

[8-Ball]

Thx for info Mike...