Like to know some Rattle Traps blanks for 3/8 to 3/4's

Bob,
if this is an open water rod then you should be considering the Specifically designed Crank Bait models by MHX.
[www.mudhole.com]
If you are looking at ripping them through grass down here in Florida you should probably be considering an MB843-MHX.

Regards,

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

I have built and fished "hot shot" blanks and found them well suited for certain types of fishing. [An 8 1/2 foot hot shot blank makes a wicked fast 11 wt. fly rod.] This is the first time I have heard of a "rattle trap" blank. What are its distinguishing characteristics?

Thanks Todd they will be throwing in grass down here.......

Don't overlook checking the Bushido MB68/10-17. Bushidos are wonderful blanks, good values. I think the MB68/12/20 is too heavy for what you want to do. It's a really powerful blank.

No body builds Rattle Traps rods ?

phil
check here maybe they are covering all bases ??---- Spin jig
[www.mudhole.com]

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks, Bill. I found Mudhole rattle trap blanks are also recommended for drop shot, live bait, shakey head, top water, twitch baits, and walleye. I would not think all these purposes would require blanks with similar power, action, speed, taper - all that kind of thing?

I'd never throw a rattle trap on some of the blanks that Mud Hole has rattle traps listed in the column of recommended baits. While I can understand Todd's recommendation of a medium heavy power, mag bass blank, the MB843, for ripping "traps" through grass (you need that kind of power to rip the bait) I'm thinking landing a fish hooked on a lipless crankbait with what amounts to being a worm and jig rod is going to be a 50/50 proposition.

Personally I'd go with a crankbait blank, Medium fast or moderate fast action ..... medium heavy or heavy power, leaning more towards the heavy power, and braided line if I were ripping baits through grass. You'll land a lot more fish because of the slower action.

And I'd definitely change out the hooks on the baits. Something with a short shank and stout wire. Either Mustad KVD Elite 1X strong 2X short shank, or the new Owner ST35 short shank wide gap. IMO, light wire trebles and fast moving baits don't mix. You need that heavier wire to cut down on hook deflection with a fast moving bait.

David thanks I was thinking on the same line of blanks. Mod-Fast and medium heavy........

Thanks again. "Moderate-fast" and "medium heavy" are terms I can measure and understand.

Mr. Tanner,
Based on Phil and David's comments you may want to consider some of the Rainshadow selections below:

E Glass: GCB710MH-GB or GCB70MH-GB (nice glass crank bait blanks, more of a fast action tip but the glass flexes deep into the butt section when loaded)

RX7 Graphite: CB70MH-M

RX8 Graphite: IMMP70MH-TC (inshore popping blanks actually spec out very similar to cranking blanks.)

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

Robert, a lot depends on not only what size "traps" you'll be throwing, but also how long the casts you'll be making are. If you're planning on bombing casts with any "trap" over 5/8 oz. I pesonally would go with a heavy power. And actually, based on my experience with my trap rod (it's 7' medium heavy power, medium fast action Shimano factory rod) my next trap/crankbait rod is going to be a heavy power, simply because of the length of the casts I routinely make.

We all know how power robbing crankbait rods are .... take a 1/2 - 3/4 oz bait and add the weight of 100' more of line, with the majority of it under water, and you can imagine how much weight you're actually pulling. At least that's my thinking. As far as blanks .... I'll be building a new trap/crankbait rod in the future, and based on a rod that I built on a Rainshadow RX7, CB66MH blank, I'll be using an RX7, CB70H blank for the new rod I'll be building.

I can't give an entirely accurate review on how the CB66MH performs, because I trimmed 6" off the butt of the blank to build the rod, so I'm sure the rod doesn't perform like a rod built from non trimmed blank would. I built the rod for throwing 1.5 and 2.5 squarebills into wood cover, and the rod is awesome for its intended purpose. The CB66MH blank is very light, is surprisingly crisp for a crankbait blank, and has a super smooth action. It's an outstanding blank

RF Legacy Elite Blank RF 765

I have two of these rods set up for Rattle traps and large crankbaits. They work awesome. They're s glass and so they have a good bend, but they are stout enough to handle just about anything. For example: My Bro-in-law and I were fishing for smallmouth on a lake with Tiger Musky in it. He had a big musky swipe at a rattle bait and ended up tail hooked. The rod performed flawlessly and allowed us to land a 46" Tiger on 12lb florocarbon tail hooked... Good times, great blank.

Joe