I picked up 3 Rainshadow 822.5 blanks on close out and wondering if they would make a good swimbait rod. I will be throwing 3.5 to 4.5" swimbaits, (BP Sassy Sally, KVD Caffeine Shad) just to name a few. I will be fishing these couple different ways. 1) weightless, 2) 1/8 to 3/8oz jig heads, 3) 1/8 to 1/4oz weighted swimbait hooks, and 4) 1/8 texas rig, using 8lb floro. 2 blanks are RX7 and the other is RX6. I am building one now for drop shot and tubes. any info appreciated.

Thanks

Little light in power for swim baits FOR ME, but those are among the best drop-shot and shakey rods ever built.

D

I'd have to agree that it's a little light in power. If you go with light wire hooks, fish them in more open water, and maybe bump up to 10# line? And I'd definitely go with one of the less stretchy fluorocarbon lines.

For instance, Seaguar Tatsu, or Sunline Sniper.

Dan, David, you have a blank that would work for these plastic swimbaits. Anyone else has a blank for this application greatly appreciated.

Roger, I going off the assumption that you're building the a casting rod? If so, my choice would be a Rainshadow Immortal IMMC73ML.

I built a rod on that blank and it works great for the type of baits you mention. Some of the baits I throw with it are 3.8 - 4.8 Keitech Swing Impact Fats. 4" Keitech Easy Shiners, Strike King 4" Swimmin Caffeine Shads, and Reaction Innovations Little Dipper, and Skinny Dipper. The Dippers are 3 1/2" and 5" respectively.

As I mostly fish those baits for smallmouth I fish them on jig heads, ranging anywhere from 3/16 up to 3/8 oz. I use Revenge and Dirty Jigs jig heads.

The IMMC73ML is an awesome blank, and with the new pricing for the Immortals, is a steal at it's price point. It's also great for light Texas rig, and tube jigs, as well as 4" Senkos.

You won't be disappointed if you go with that blank.

Thanks David. Yes it will be a casting rod.

That blank lacks the hook setting power needed. I've built two rods dedicated to tossing paddle tails. 4" with 3/16 oz heads - Point Blank 701mf. 5" with 3/8 oz heads - NFC SJ705 IM.