S Hovanec

This is the biggest reason I started building my own rods. All of the rear grips were too long for my liking. When people bring rods to me to modify, I use my compound miter saw to cut off the grip. Sharp blade is a must to avoid splintering of the blank

The reason you can't get Croix on the horn is they are currently closed. If you purchase the shipping label on St. Croix's website, it is a substantial savings. I think it was $15 last time I sent a rod back

Yea. I was sitting at work for every one of those catches. You still suck!

Those look great now that the clear was applied. Fish totally changed color!

Yep. Rainshadow Eternity 610MXF. It's nowhere close to a medium power. It's identical to my NFC DS6107, which is a mag-light power.

EVA sands easily with the proper tools. A steel mandrel to mount it on, a lathe to turn it and sandpaper. Problem with sanding that type of grip is you lose the grooves that are cut into it

I'm glad others are seeing this because I have been told many times I was full of excrement when saying Minima and SS304 tips groove, even with photo evidence. I even have stripper and running guides with grooves and was told hogwash, impossible.

I start the day out with 18' of fluoro on my braid. I don't use the braid for it's sensitivity, i use it for it's resistance to twisting. I use the fluoro because of the water clarity.

I'd fish with it. I'd build a 3 color Rodgeeks with a painted Matagi seat and a multi-color random abstract EVA grip. Wrap the guides to match each color on the reel.

You'll have to step up to SCV to get either of those models now

I gave away all of my Gsmmy DS hooks after a bad batch. I now use the regular Mosquito hooks. Size depends on the bait, but typically I use a #6 for CrossTails and 4" worms.

I've already built my perfect rod, actually more than once. What I would like is to be able to acquire NRX blanks so I could see what the hype is all about. Then I'd be able to build it right. Good fit & finish and proper guide layout. . but that'll never happen and I'm not about to overpay for a rod just to strip it down and rebuild. With what is available on the market right now, I'd build another 5S610MLXF. To me, that is the perfect dropshot rod. I actually have one of those in my rack to be built this year. Fuji Ti/Torzite guides, because I bought them a couple years ago. Otherwise I'd be using Fuji T2 guides. They're just so sexy. Kigan XLA hook keeper. Undecided on the grip/seat. I'm hung up on split Tennessee with slide rings for my dropshot rods. I may try a Fuji TVS if I like how the SCV Inshore I'm building for a customer turns out. I ordered an extra one just in case!

No CF over the hook keeper, it's wrapped with black thread. It looks like there is a CF sleeve on the blank in front of the reel seat and locking nut. It looks like the hook keeper is wrapped right at the transition where CF sleeve ends. The CF appearance in front of the keeper is the blank itself.

Reel monkey got me. Been looking for the right reel for a ML SCV inshore I'm wanting to build. Another member pushed me towards this. My first Daiwa in 35+ years. Emeraldas Air LT 3000S-CXH

You can salvage it by drilling the blank out with multiple progressions of drill bits. Start with one that fits inside the blank and keep moving up one size til it fits over the end of the rod where you cut it. Epoxy it in place.

No. Now if you trimmed it and moved the reel seat, the rod would have a slower action. If you leave the seat in the same spot, it won't feel any different. Just make sure you have a sharp blade or even a fiber wheel. I am going to switch to fiber wheels cause I have a habit of using my blades for stuff I shouldn't and it dulls them. A dull blade will splinter a blank.

Yep. That's one way. Wrap tape around to maintain a straight edge. I use my miter saw to trim blanks and shorten rods.

If you do shorten it, be aware the butt cap may have a long steel shaft on it that may affect the trimming. Ask how I know! Whoops, just reread your post. My mod was on a Dobyns Fury

You can't compare action and power on paper because there is no industry standard. St Croixs MH is comparable to most other's Heavy. Some Rainshadows are more powerful than their label and some are less. NFCs are grossly underpowered for their rating. Only way to really know is to feel them. Head to Winston Salem NC in a couple weeks for the ICRBE and check out a bunch of blanks and hang out with some of the best custom rodbuilders in the world.

All 3 of mine are taken off and stored in the back seat of the truck in a padded electronics bag.

Don't do it. It's addictive.

You sure it's a guide? I believe those Ti guide rings are glued in and not pressed. If the insert was loose, it would fall out. I've had a couple ticky rods and upon inspection, the blanks were crushed/cracked and the noise was the carbon fibers rubbing together

Nice job on the rebuild. That narrow beam could pose a problem with the high seat on the front deck. Another thing, you'll be trying to figure out how to get a motor on the bow before too long. My first rebuild, I didn't put one on either. The boat saw water twice before I installed one. It was absolutely unfishable without one.

I plan to go every year, but life has been getting in the way. I even had my reservations made for the 2019 and had to cancel the week before.