So I've built a few rods but I haven't gotten into reaction type blanks yet. I am a huge fan of the rainshadow blanks so far but I am open to any brand. Just looking for opinions on a 1/2 oz chatterbait rod, I really could use some help on the difference between a mh popping blank vs a mh graphite or glass cranking blank. I fish in some milfoil and thick grass but mostly semi sparse stuff. Anything helps, thanks in advance.

the difference is the action flex of the rod ex fast ,fast and fast mod you will have to decide which one is best for you.

do you want to be able to hit super hard on a strike and chance you will rip out the hook or a moderate fast and get a solid hook set and still have enough back bone to handle the weeds and fish.

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I understand f mf mod, I was more wondering about a mh cranking blank vs mh popping blank, both seem to have mod-f actions and if they are both mh powers, what are the different characteristics between the two?

I'm not convinced action has anything to do with whether , or not a blank is suitable for treble hooks, after all XF hotshot blanks that have been around for decades were exclusively designed for treble hooks. I'm convinced the actual power of the blank is the deciding factor. The power in a MH mag bass, and MH crankbait, or popping blank are not the same. The crankbait and popping rod blanks however have similar final powers.
Extra Fast action rods are softer tipped in relation to the the final power of the blank, they throw a wider range of lure weights, but if you look at the range of weights they seem to throw lighter weights better, if that's the case how can the tip have more power, and set the hook faster and better?

The biggest differences between the glass and graphite in the actions you mention are that the glass will most likely be heavier and recovery will be slower. Both should work fine.

At least that is my opinion.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The biggest differences between the glass and
> graphite in the actions you mention are that the
> glass will most likely be heavier and recovery
> will be slower. Both should work fine.
>
> At least that is my opinion.

100% correct the type of hook means nothing as some lures come with what is called a swash hook one single hook like some of the soft plastic rubber popping top water lures and spoons come with IE frog & mouse plastic lures and pike and salt water inshore spoons
it is about the movement of the rod when setting a hook ex fast, fast you move the rod a shorter distance to set the hook upper third of the blank flexes.
moderate fast upper two thirds of the blank flexes longer distance moved for hook set.
hook type or style used has nothing to do with rod action it comes down to individuals choice and how they want the rod to react to a hook set

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Ryan if I may offer a suggestion. Instead of my opinion on what works well, let me tell you what my customers that use these in tournament situations tell me. What I build on is a Rodgeeks CG70MHM blank which is an S-glass rod. It is rated for 8-20 lb. line and 3/8 -1 oz. lures which is within the range of most chatter baits they use. What is different is if you compare this blank to other S-Glass blanks is that it is light in weight. Most customers that hold it can't believe that it is an S-GLass based on old experiences. It has plenty of power and I have been told that another reason they like this blank so much is that they don't lose fish once hooked. I order these unpainted which adds to the reduction in weight but that is probably not significant. What is significant is the demand for this rod blank and my ability to keep up on orders. If you are not familiar with the story behind the Rodgeeks do a search on this site.

Hope this is helpful.

Tom



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2017 06:30PM by Tom Wewerka.

In regards to the OPs question, I would think there would be little if any difference between the characteristics of the blanks if both have the same action and power. As Michael mentioned previously, the material the blank is made of could result in one blank weighing more, especially in the upper third of the blank, and that weight would slow the blank's recovery.

As far as a couple of the other posts related to rod power and hook type go, IMO it's not quite as black and white as it may seem. While Hot Shot rods may have been designed for use with treble hooked lures, they weren't designed for a horizontal moving presentation. The lure is basically stationary or sweeping laterally in front of the fish. I've never officially "hot shotted" but I have wade fished for steelhead and let river current sweep spoons and minnow baits across and down current of my position. It works rather well at times, but it's not the same as retrieving a chatterbait or even a crankbait where the fish is chasing down the lure. A slower action rod definitely helps when using horizontal presentations. Especially if the angler happens to have their reel spooled with braided line.

There is no doubt in my mind, and it has proven itself many times out on the water, that when using a horizontal retrieve, a slower action rod allows a fish to get the bait deeper into its mouth, resulting in more solidly hooked and more landed fish. Increase the speed of the retrieve and the advantage of a slower action is even more pronounced.

I definitely agree that power wise a MH mag bass blank, (fast action) and a MH crankbait or popping blank (moderate fast or moderate action) with the same lure weight ratings, do not feel the same. And they may not have the same power. I've never measured them using the CCS to find out. All I can do is offer what I think is an appropriate analogy. And that would be to compare the feeling of power of a big block V8, to the feeling of power of a small block V8 of the same horsepower.

Even though both engines have the same horsepower, the big block feels more powerful. It has more torque and its power comes in more quickly. It is the fast action mag taper bass blank. The small block has less torque, and its power takes longer to come in. It is the moderate fast or moderate action crankbait blank.

Same power ....... they just feel entirely different.

I use the same rod I use for spinnerbaits. 6'6" fast mh. The crankbait rod is too soft IMO.

It depends on line. If you are using fluorocarbon or braid I would use the crankbait as you want some give so you do not pull the bait from the fish or rip lips. If you are using monofilament you would want the popping rod for the extra backbone to get a solid hookset. You can either have the give in your rod or your line. i typically choose a softer rod for chatterbaits as I throw fluorocarbon or braid depending on cover and clarity.