In a recent kayak fishing tournament, I flipped the yak and lost 5 rods. I've always kicked around the thought of rod building but never got around to it but now that I need a new stable of rods I think it's time.

I've spent hours researching blanks, holy crap there's a ton of information.

Here are the rod actions/techniques I'm looking for

6'10"ish drop shot spinning rod
7' finesse medium spinning rod
7'2" MH do anything casting rod
7' medium fast reaction bait rod
7'6" swimbait rod.

I've been looking at rod geeks, batson, mhx and hydra but I wanted to get the opinion from experienced builders.

Any help is appreciated!

Having only built 5 rods thus far, I don't have a lot of experience with different blanks. With that said, if 6'6" is close enough to 6'10"ish, then you may want to look at Pac Bay's Quickline series of spin jig blanks. I built two spinning rods on their QLSJ782 blank, and they make for awesome drop shot and shaky head jig rods. The blank is rated as medium light power, with an extra fast action. They're a beautiful blank that is super light, and very sensitive.

As for the 7'2" medium heavy do anything casting rod, it depends on what your definition of "do anything" is? If you're looking for a blank that will fish worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs etc ... then you'd be doing yourself a huge favor to take a look at the Immortal IMMC72MH blank. Especially if you're looking to build a rod that will excel at getting fish out of heavy cover. It's not a broom stick, but it has a lot of power, and I can't imagine a blank being much more sensitive.

It is wet your pants good.

Hi Jason,

I have built on the Batsons, Rodgeeks and Hydras. All are excellent choices and my customers enjoy fishing them as I. Presently my go to blanks for myself are RODgeek SG's, XC's and next season the SWB's.

You selected good companies who make excellent blanks.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Look at the American Tackle Bushido Blanks. Great line of blanks.

6'-10" Dropshot -- DS822-MHX or HM-DS822-MHX

7' Finesse -- SJ842-MHX or HM-SJ842-MHX

7'-2" All Purpose -- EPS86MH-MHX

7" Med Fast Reaction Bait -- MB842-MHX

7'-6" Swimbait -- SWB956-MHX *Trimming the butt for a shorter rod -- *Blank may vary according to what size swim baits you intend to use

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com

Jason,

Picking a blank can be tuff when you don't have it in your hand. You really can't go wrong with any of the major blank manufacturers. It just a case of finding that perfect blank for how you're wanting it to perform. You really can't go wrong with the Mudhole Blanks and they are priced really competitive. I've built rods on Batson's, Mudhole, Lamaglas, NFC, Phenix and about every brand out there. You really can't go wrong. Give the manufacturers a call and describe what you are looking for in a specific rod blank. They are all most willing to help you out.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com