I've been a big fan of Calstar's 6455XH blank for a long time now. But with the current issues with Calstar's supply output, I'm looking for alternatives. I noticed that Cousins tackle has a 6455XH in their range, but haven't heard any reviews for this blank. Has anyone had any experience with this blank, or any of the other fiberglass tuna blanks that cousins offer? If so, how do they compare to the calstar and seeker? And perhaps most importantly, how do they justify charging nearly double the price of the other brands??

Count on Cousins to put out a high quality product. Having said that, I am not trying to imply that Calstar does not. Wade Cunningham has been around the blank building arena for many decades. He knows his stuff and knows it well. He may be using old Sabre or even Fenwick mandrels.

Thanks Chuck. I don't doubt that wade and co. are putting out a quality product, but I am very much wondering why they charge over 170% for the equivalent eglass? What benefits can I expect from that extra money that a calstar can't provide? And there are subtle but important differences between the action of calstars and the equivalent seeker blanks, so I'm wondering how the action of the cousins compares to these two?

You are welcome Dane. I don't know why they are so expensive compared to Calstar or Seeker. Frankly that had me quite shocked when I looked at their blanks sometime last year. I do not know what, if any differences there are between any of them. I would think the Seekers are more like the Calstars. I believe that Seeker had bought their mandrels from California Tackle when they closed their doors for good. Leon Todd,the head of Calstar,had a hand in the design of most of the Sabre line. Most notably their Stroker series. I am landlocked in Denver and nobody here carries them. I'm sorry I am not able to help you with more than my limited information.

If you’re interested in hearing about RainShadow Rod Blanks these are the models we believe would be the closest fit from us (though we don’t have first hand experience with that blank).

From our RX6/E-Glass Tuna series we’d say: RCTB56H & RCTB56XXH [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
Or from our E-Glass Stand Up rod blanks the FSU56XH [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Thanks Chuck and James.

James, the only reason I haven't yet tried any batson blanks is because of the exorbitant costs of posting blanks to Australia. As far as I am aware (and I might be quite naïve about what's available), mudhole is the only supplier that has reasonable shipping costs using fedex. So when it comes to blanks, I feel like I'm restricted to mudhole's range. I would be very happy to hear of another alternative??

Cheers, Dane.

Dave,

We have one Australian distributor:
ACM Custom Rods
Etta Bay, QLD
0412-821-768
www.acmcustomrods.com.au

They don't have the above models on their site but they can always get them in, just give them a call for a price. I imagine that they would get the shipping price down quite a bit.

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com