rod question?

[weekend warrior]

guys i noticed on another post in the lounge that st croix owns or builds the rainshadow im8 blanks is this correct? i have been running a combination of st croix's and rainshadows for several years and overall i am very impressed with them. i am however still looking for the perfect flippin stick and these rods in the longer lengths seem to be to heavy. i would like to know yalls opinions on these rods and what is your pics on the longer blanks. i have a custom rod builder ( a good friend of mine) who does quality work i just need the blank. i prefer american made. thanks yall

[PII Magnum]

I have no idea but I would agree that the longer rods a bit heavy

[weekend warrior]

the rainshadow is actually a rx8 it's on the post about boyd's new rods about half way down tthe page and yes the longer blanks definetly seem heavier in the rainshadows to me. just wondering where to turn for the longer blanks.

[PII Magnum]

I love to find a 7'6" one piece blank that didn't weight a ton

[George Roth]

I have built a number of flipping rods from 7'6" to 8' and they are all tip heavy. That is why I became an advocate of adding a weight system to the butt of those blanks. It makes the tip feel much lighter and increases sensitivity.

Shikari used to make the lightest flipping blank that I've ever used. That was partially because of the thinner walls. The only downside was that they broke frequently. Thus, when ATC acquired Shikari and began building their flipping blanks, they were heavier. As far as I know, that was in an effort to decrease breakage. I still have a couple of those rods hanging on the wall. Now, ATC is out of business.

I built a couple of the Rainshadow flippers that RX7 with the Matagi weight system on them and they turned out to be really nice sticks! I have also built some Lamiglas XC 96T blanks that are some powerhouse blanks. They are telescopic, though.

Hope some of this helps.......George

[BasserJim]

what do you consider to be a ton?

[weekend warrior]

well i don't guess i know what is meant by a ton. guys down here just keep telling me that the rainshadow blanks in the longer kengths are to heavy so i've been afraid to build a flippin stick cause i don't want to put the money in to a rod that expensive and not be happy with it. i think i understand though. i think it's a personal decision and from what george is saying sounds like with the right weight system they are fine. george does st criox own rainshadow and are those other shukari blanks you have built if not how much would you take for one of them if there for sale? thanks for your input i appreciate it a bunch. if there not for sale i understand.

[BasserJim]

St Croix and RX8 are one

[weekend warrior]

well is rx8 and rainshadow all the same or is this two different co?

[thedude]

Rx8 is the top of the line Rainshadow series from batson enterprises. they do not to my knowledge have any affiliation with st. croix whatsoever. Batson and St. Croix are 2 different companies.


If you want a 7'6" phenix has a 7'6" under 3.5ozs. MHX should have their flipping sticks out this week or next and they should be pretty light as well. SC5 croix comes in at 3oz as well.

[PA Officer]

There are several 7'6" one-piece flipping blanks, that will come in under 3oz.
Depending on what you are flipping, you might want to look at the Lamiglas IM92 5 or even a Rogue BB796. Either should come in under 5oz when built without a problem.


Modified by PA Officer at 11:21 AM 2/1/2010

[weekend warrior]

thanks for the input guys. now i've got some research to do.

[cidgrad]

[QUOTE=thedude]Rx8 is the top of the line Rainshadow series from batson enterprises. they do not to my knowledge have any affiliation with st. croix whatsoever. Batson and St. Croix are 2 different companies. [QUOTE]

RX8+ is the top of line Batson.
RX8 is a lower grade multimodulus right under the RX8+ line up.
The RX8+ are made (or were made) for Batson by St Croix.

Batson does no blank rolling themselves. Everything is physically made for them by others.

There is no formal affiliation btwn the two, but lots of "connections".

[tommy]

Build your rods with Micro guides ( 3.0 / 3.5mm ) guides and you will be amazed at how your tip heavcy rods will lighten up. They will also perform their job better. Many of the custom builders have been doing this for several years know. I've made about 10 baitcasters for myself and reguided a number of my older rods. A whole set of micro guides weigh less than one of the factory guides. I also spiral wrap all my baitcasters. This is another improvment for most applications.

[weekend warrior]

i wonder who makes the rest of there blanks then. it would be interesting to know and thenks guys for all the input. it really helps a bunch. i have a lot of research to do. would anyone on here be interested in building a flippin stick for me? i really like a lot of what i see on here. you guys really know what your doing i can tell and seem to be open to what the customer wants. if anyone is interested im me and we'll talk. thanks again.

[cidgrad]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weekend warrior &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i wonder who makes the rest of there blanks then. it would be interesting to know </TD></TR></TABLE>

Factories in China.

[weekend warrior]

i don't like that. that's what i'd like to get away from. i know it's hard to do because they are so competively priced but i would really like to go all usa. not fond of sending my money overseas right now. especially with economy like it is. just a personal preferance though.

[BasserJim]

I can see what you mean by that, but just remember that there are always American airline workers, truckers, warehouse employees, etc getting a paycheck from it. Doesn't take away from the fact its Chinese, but it eases a bit of the pain

[weekend warrior]

that's true jim just been reading a lot of the threads around here about stuff being made overseas and it makes a guy think ya know.