picking blanks?

[AMFE]

I am looking for some help on picking blanks.

I am new to rod building, have built 5 rods now with the rainshadow blanks. I am disapointed a bit in that I think rainshadow blanks are rated on the light side of things. They seem buggy whippy to me compared to other brands ratings.

I only build for my own use and have no interest in building for sale to others.

I am function over fashion 100%

I have no brand preferences what so ever. Saying that I am striving to build myself rods that are GLX quality/sensitivity.

Are the higher end Rainshadow blanks even close to the loomis GLX quality blanks? If not where should I look? what should I look for?

[cidgrad]

Highest end Rainshadows are going to be the RX8+ and they will be most comparable to the St Croix Legends (SCIV).

When you say "buggy whippy to me compared to other brands ratings" - who are you comparing them to?

What blank models have you built?

What is it about the GLXs you love so much that you would like to duplicate?

[AMFE]

The power or weight ratings seem to be on the light side in terms of the Med weight crankbait blanks I have used seem to me ML. Make sense?

The biggest thing I like is the weight of the GLX rods which of course contributes to their sensitivity.

Just looking for some opinions or a couple brands you guys would recommend trying that would be close or surpass the GLX blanks

Thanks!

[Munkin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hot Rod Johnson &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The power or weight ratings seem to be on the light side in terms of the Med weight crankbait blanks I have used seem to me ML. Make sense?

Thanks!</td></tr></table>

I 100% agree with this and I think it is just the way a graphite crankbait rod is rated. The St. Croix Premier crankbait rods I own are just like them.

Allen

[ReelDoc]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hot Rod Johnson &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The power or weight ratings seem to be on the light side in terms of the Med weight crankbait blanks I have used seem to me ML. Make sense?
Thanks!</td></tr></table>
If you are looking for a great all-around graphite crankbait blank, try the St Croix Avid 3C70MHM. It's one of the nicest rods I own in either custom or factory version (AC70MHM). It's light and can easily throw just about anything up to a DD-22 if needed. I throw just about everything except the lightest cranks - like a #5 Shadrap or H2O Express Model S - with it.

[AMFE]

Does a St. Croix or Rainshadow high end blank compete or come close to the GLX loomis blanks?

[ReelDoc]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hot Rod Johnson &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Does a St. Croix or Rainshadow high end blank compete or come close to the GLX loomis blanks?
</td></tr></table>
Sorry, I've never owned or used a Loomis rod so I have no idea.

[PA Officer]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hot Rod Johnson &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Does a St. Croix or Rainshadow high end blank compete or come close to the GLX loomis blanks?
</td></tr></table>

On a broad scale, I prefer St. Croix LE's over any G. Loomis product. However, they do make a few blanks that niches better than any other.

I won't comment on the cranking blank as I prefer Lamiglas composite cranking blanks over graphite.