I am looking to purchase a couple of blanks to use for freshwater trout. They will be used for casting out of the boat with 3" soft plastics (Power Minnows and T-tails, using 1/8 and 1/16th oz jig heads) and hardbody lures up to 1/4 oz. The blanks must be 6'6" - 7'0" and 2 piece.

I had pretty much decided to buy the following two blanks:

S782-2-MHX 6'6" 2 4-8 1/16 - 5/16 Fast Light Freshwater Trout, Panfish 1.25 .33 4.5
S842-2-MHX 7' 2 4-8 1/16 - 5/16 Fast Light Finesse, Walleye 1.4 .335 4.5

But then looking through the catalogue, I found this one in the Inshore Popping section, which I may purchase also. It has a much thicker butt section, and is therefore a much faster taper. All the other specs seem similar and I think it may make a useful rod:

P842-2-MHX 7'0" 2 4-10 1/16 - 3/8 Fast Med-Lt Freshwater Trout 1.6 .492

Does anyone have any experince with the P842-2 and is it likely to be suitable for what I describe above?

Thanks

Dale

Hobart, TAS
Australia

Any of the popping rods - including the P842 are wonderful rods for certain fishing applications, including the ones you mention.

I have built many popping rods which folks use exclusively for trout and or walleye. The soft tips on these rods were originally designed for casting live shrimp for some of the fish in the Gulf. But this same soft tip with a more robust butt section work very well for catching many other fish as well.

By the way, there are a number of manufacturers that make similar blanks; some of which you might like even better than the one you have selected.

Good luck - great choices.

Be safe

Dale,
what species are you targeting?

regards,
Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

P842 has more low down power and for plastics it would be my choice (I have one for personal use in High Mod) however seeing as you will be targeting trout the softer more forgiving nature of the S842 may be better should you use lures w/ trebles more than plastics. both will do what your intending however, the spinning is softer than the popping.

Todd R Vivian - brown and rainbow trout in, promarily in lakes, up to 3-4lb.

Thankyou everyone for the replies. I think I will buy the P842 and one of the spin blanks. I'm sure they will both be useful but it will be great to se the difference.