Batson

Looking good, nice job!

Most modern guides are braid resistant so you shouldn’t have a problem with that. But some factory rods use cheap guides that have low end materials for inserts, if so then yeah braid would cause the problem (as well as noted, other contaminants). But as said it’s easy to replace a guide or tip top.

As said you should be fine with the MH. The RX7 lineup of crankbaits has been rolled into the Revelation lineup now – but I’m sure there’s plenty of RX7’s out there. They’re the same action and power as before. It’s a great blank that’s been a standard with a lot of pros. All the specs can be found at: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rev-bass-crankbait

Opinions are all over the place on this subject and honestly it just comes down to personal preference. I will say the guys in the office here are more of the old school variety and believe in building on the spine - this includes the guys who design the blanks. The main reason is to reduce torque as the blank wants to turn with the flow of it’s pattern. Now my opinion is that it's small/minimal increase in performance, kind of like the difference in weight from 316 Steel to Titanium guides. It's minimal and hard to really feel the difference but there is a bit of bump in performance. If the spine is barely noticeable then there’s little benefit and build on the straight edge if you want. But if a blank has a wicked/pronounced spine, which depends on the layout pattern when building the blank, then it’s best to build on the spine. This is when we consider strength, not just torque, becomes an issue..

I agree a hand wrapper is the best way to start, keeps the initial investment small. A dryer is handy when it comes to doing the finish coat but not necessary. Though honestly, unless you really like that particular lineup of blanks, go with something that you truly like and one you know you will keep using. Or practice your wraps on an old rod / wooden dowel, then pick out a blank that you know you want. On our first custom build we’re always worried about screwing up but as long as you follow the awesome tutorials out there your first rod will function just fine. That first rod may not be as pretty as some the more experienced builders but it will work just great. Just keep your wraps simple (unless you’ve been practicing on an old rod) and it’ll all work out.

As mentioned the Revelation Crankbait rods are great: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rev-bass-crankbait/ Quite a few people also like our E-Glass Crankbaits, they’re also quite affordable: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/eglass-bass-crankbait/ If you want to go all out then the new line of RainShadow’s The Judge are awesome and made in the USA. It’s a RX7 graphite with S-Glass in the tip and a carbon wrap that’s not only decorative but adds around 15% strength to the bottom half of the rod. They’re Medium in power but will hold up for what you need. Though right now the 7-footers are the only ones in stock. www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/the-judge-crankbait/

Thanks for your support Glenn, you did a good job talking about the rod and components. It’s a great start on information for people that don’t know anything about custom rods – many people are intimidated by the thought getting a custom rod. Obviously those of us who build or have built know the options are endless, which of course is the awesome part about custom rods. I have the luxury of having one of the World Rods in the office next to mine, as well as multiple rods built by the masters in the industry to see. Custom rods are easier than most think, not scary, especially when having it built by a builder. Just be ready to be overwhelmed with the variety of options out there. If any of you rod builders, or someone just curious about custom rods, is in Western Washington (we're in Sequim, WA) feel free to stop by the offices. We'll gladly give you a tour and see the variety of options.

Get Bit Outdoors has a spin kit starting at $40 for our RainShadow RX6 blank with ForeCast components http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/rod-building-kits/complete-rod-kits/complete-spining-kits.html Cast starts at $43 http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/rod-building-kits/complete-rod-kits/complete-casting-kits.html Jann's Netcraft has a RainShadow REVELATION Blank spin kit starting at $63 http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/rod-buildng-kits-revelation-spinning/ That's who carries out stuff as a kit for around the price you're looking for. Though if you were to call up a dealer they can put together a kit for you.

The Revelation blanks are more of a workhorse than the Eternity lineup – basically you can be rougher with them. Overall they’re great blanks, I’d say go with the MH since you’re talking a little more general purpose. We’ve heard great things about the Liberty blanks, I personally haven't used one. GetBit is great dealer for us... so we like them. Nothing changing on the REVELATION series, though some of the RX7 lineup will now be moved into the REVELATION line – the Crankbaits, Flipping, Popping. They use the same materials when built so only minor changes – they just fit better under that brand lineup. We will be introducing a new series of Crankbait rods but you're going to have to wait until July to learn about those.

Correct. Of course I personally wouldn't recommend trimming the tip. You wouldn't gain a slower action (bigger arc) per see but would stiffen up the tip (shortening up the flexing action). Would change the power by making a Medium Light into a Medium or Medium Heavy. A gentler way would be to add additional wraps - the more you put on a blank the more it changes things. Course always best to get the blank that fits what you want the most.

As mentioned, can't change the action that way. You can stiffen up a blank but not the other way around.

You may want to look at the RainShadow REVELATION lineup as well, nice all around blanks. Little bit more durable than our Eternity and Immortal but still highend results. Lot of our Bass Pros, use them for about half of their rod arsenal. You should be able to find them for just $100. Either the REVC76MH or REVC76H should work for you. Check out the specs at: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/revelation-bass-casting/ Glad you've been liking the Eternity and Immortal blanks.

Thanks for coming out and filming Glenn, turned out great!

Welcome to your new addiction of building rods:) Excellent job on your first build, you’ve done better than I did (and I had guys in the office to teach me). Look forward to seeing what you do next!

Here's a couple in Spokane (though I'm sure there's plenty more) Alpha Angler alphaanglercustoms@gmail.com www.alphaangler.com NFC has a certified rod builder list, with one listed for Spokane: Barrett Custom Fishing Rods barrettcustom@gmail.com www.barrettcustom.com But there's a lot of great builders around the country who're used to working with people over the phone and shipping a complete rod.

In the reel seat our Rod Blueprint says size 17 but you can fit a 16 on. I tend to like the aluminum seats and used the ALPS Aluminum Trigger. Though if going for a spinning setup I like the ALPS Aluminum Triangle which feels great in the hand. If you want to go the graphite I love the ALPS TexTouch Reel Seats (MVT is awesome but more expensive). The ForeCast Trigger or Spin will work as well. I used the ALPS MXN Titanium guides, though the SS316 version of MXN are great guides and will save you a bit over the Titanium version.

We recently starting distributing the Winn Grip Tape and have been playing with it around the office. It’s definitely great for rejuvenating older grips on a rod and feels good too (easy to put on). We also carry Heat Shrink Tubing with X-Flock in a few color combinations – great way to add a little decoration to EVA and such. If going over beat-up cork handles you’ll want to sand the cork and fill in the holes before adding the Tubing. All of these are available through our dealers which you can find through: www.alpsforecast.com/dealers

For the Gloss Real Seat, you could paint a graphite reel seat with a clear gloss paint which should give you the glossy look. Shouldn’t change the specs of the seat. The hard part would be dripping/runs, but if you were able to fit it on an old/broken blank, put it on wrapper and paint while turning and turn until it is dry. That should take care of any streaks. Then you could put a custom hood on it, some examples can be found here: http://alpsforecast.com/product-category/gear-components/gear-reel-seats/hoods-gear-reel-seats/

Ok.. in your area, Riley Rods is a great company to get a custom from. Also on here DVT can make you a rod too. We sell a lot of blanks and components to the Private Label market. And in this market there is a plethora of inshore rods that you can get. If you need any more info, call into our office and ask for sales. We can help direct you if you need any more info or direction.

Looks like a start to a great build.

We have a lot of our customers and rod builders that build a ton of Inshore Rods!! Typically they use our inshore popping rod blanks and sometimes our Graphite CrankBait rod blanks as well.

Custer, Looks like your getting into the rod building season!! You can get DS and stick bait on same action. Just making sure you know though, everyones's XF action is different. Just make sure you pay attention to that For your Swimbait rod, you can do SW surf, etc.. on it.. I use our RainShadow SW967F ( 2 piece ) for Bass flipping frogging, SW for Yellows and Smaller Blue fins, also bottom bounce with Ling Cod, Rock Bass, etc.. FYI, Looking to do some Spring King fishing too!! So to answer your question, you should be fine if you get the right blank!

Thank you for the love!! Im sure you will own a custom RainShadow sometime in your life! I understand the costs that are involved, but there is a definite split between an american made rod vs JDM looking rod. Just trying to get feedback from the users on here. Then why not go the custom route? Just putting it out there.. Just trying to get feedback.. Seems like the rods are Looks vs performance

This is true.. But you can't argue the fact that a rod is built properly, has great components etc.. BTW, for 120 is reasonable depending on what your trying to get. Don't expect a NRX or Legend Extreme equivelant for $120.

Kevin @ GetBit has a lot of good videos! Here is ours in case you want more! https://www.youtube.com/user/BatsonEnterprises/videos