Gents, I’m about 10 builds into this rod building vocation and my boys are continuing to benefit from this addiction. Lately, I’m spending a lot of practice cast time in the yard and on the water trying to determine the best blank for the application I want to use them for. I’m a Texas coast fisherman (specks and reds) and thus far I’ve focused on popping cork rods (live shrimp) and plug casting rods (jerk baits, mirro lures, swim baits, spoons, etc). The plug casting blanks that I’ve wrapped and tried to date have been the Elliot AP7ML-F and the AP7M-F and the Rainshadow ETES68MXF. Still sitting in my rack waiting to be wrapped and used are Mudhole’s EPS81MXF, the EPS82MF and the EPS82LF. I’ll be throwing plugs that weigh between 0.30-0.45 oz with 30# braid or 12# mono. I can feel the difference between the Elliot blanks when the plug weight changes. The XF performance seems to be better with heavier lures. But to the point…..does anyone have any other suggestions for other blanks that they like that might fit around this application? Any feedback appreciated.

Many thanks again.

Phenix M1 or Bass Recon II, Batson Revelation / Rainshadow RX6 SP842 or 843 / New Immortals, North Fork Composites and Fuji Point Blank. Get the models rated for 6-12# for light and a little heavier 8-14# line.

Have not tried the Elliot blanks yet but have used all the others, and they are all quite nice. My favorite for what you are talking about is the Point Blank PB691MLXF. It is a little more powerful than the ETES68MF but is also very light. I also have the PB701MF which has a lot of power but throws a wide range of lure weights quite easily. It is listed as F but to me it is more of an XF rod. Point Blanks have quickly become one of my personnel favorites. The St Croix 5S68MXF is also a very nice blank.
Norm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/2017 06:41PM by Norman Miller.

You have some really nice blanks within the MHX Elite Pro Series of rod blanks that you have. The EPS81MXF-MHX will make for a great jerk bait rod or using a top water, walk-the-dog type bait. The EPS82MF-MHX is just a great all-purpose blank that is very versatile for working so many various types of baits, such as jigs, jigs and plastics, mirro lures or other hard baits, various plastics and top water lures. The EPS82LF-MHX is great for popping cork technique. For others that would like to check out the MHX EPS Series, here is a link - [www.mudhole.com]

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2017 02:10PM by Bob McKamey.

The Point Blank 731mlf is pure magic, as are most of the PB rod blanks.