Batson

FYI, does that rear butt cap have a big gash in it? Cant tell if it is just the picture or the actual piece? Might want to throw some cork filler and lightly sand it before it gets worse.

It all depends on price and application!

in builds everyone!! Glad everyone is showing that building rods can be affordable! Custom rods!

Nice rod!! Looks like your getting it all done!

Your build looks great! Congrats on the rod! Well now you have done it! You gave everyone the secret Those RainShadow Immortal rod blanks have the same designer as your beloved ST Croix's! Mike Thorson really did a great move and the Immortals should be not only a great buy but performance as well! Thank you for being loyal customer! PM me privately when you get a chance!

TeamRainShadow Pro Staff of ours Keith Combs as well as a long list of other BASS Pros and FLW tour like our EGlass Crank Baits. Also they have made changes to support the Strike King Crankbaits as well!! the 1XD-10XD!! Popping = MOD Fast action ( for popping saltwater ) CrankBait = MOD Fast Action ( for cranking and deep cranking ) Honestly they are so close you probably couldn't tell the difference. In design wise, the popping action is a bit faster, the crank bait lineup is more progressive. We have many of our customers buying both for both applications. For what your doing, think of either an EGlass 7' rod in the M or MH crank bait. You can also take a look at our RX7 lineup for graphite crank baits as well. Seems like it is making a comeback!

Just realized we don't have a true static test video.. We will shoot one shortly for everyone.

Lol nice S Hovanec! Yes we do have videos: ( Mike Thorson ex St Croix )http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/staticguide.html If you want to geek out: http://www.rodguild.com/howtos/LoadUp.pdf This is why we have recipes on our rods. This allows for a really good general starting point. You may have to move them 1/2" or so max, but should prove to be a great foundation.

Always static test your rods!! S HovanecNice blank, an Eternity2 I presume?

FYI, there is only a few places you can get graphite from. And.. To have Japanese carbon fiber vs anything else.. There are very few manufactures that actually make graphite. BTW, Boeing buys Toray and they seem to have no problems! http://www.toray.com Yup thats right.. Hate to break the news to everyone! Now the layups or "Flags" and designs is where it is at. You can mess around with different resins and scrims as well, but it all has to do with the Designer and the designs. Having a designer of rod blanks that actually fishes and knows how he/she wants the blank to perform, that is even harder to find. And no way am I saying Rodgeeks doesnt make a good product. Anyways.. Enough said I think.. To answer the original question. Yes you can buy a St Croix blank and build it up with exact specs. As for building it for cheaper? Probably similar. But why? Can you get different manufacturer blanks? Yes, there are a plethora of companies that have similar blanks to the one your looking for. Just depends on what you want. Now the idea with customs is that you can build it however way you want! If you want to build the same but want a shorter/longer handle.. you can do it. More guides, different seat, different grips, colors, etc.. This is the beauty of custom fishing rods!! Good luck!

S Hovanec, The actions and powers should be.. But that happens with a lot of companies. We have similarities due to our Designer was the Designer there too. Just making sure people understand the difference when coming into this market new. Everyone can market however they want. We are concerned with our products mainly, but some of the companies that have been around a very long time and have proven themselves time after time should stand out. Thats all Carry on.

The same blank or similar? Is it the blank they build at St Croix? Call up St Croix and ask them. We could be wrong.. But we put our guides on this lineup. If it is the blank they build the Legend Tournament rod with, Then go buy this blank.. This is from St Croix SCIV / FRS Exceptional, high-modulus/high-strain graphite fiber featuring FRS. Similar to SCV, but without the carbon-matte scrim. Featured in Legend Tournament® Bass/Walleye/Musky, Legend®Trek, Legend® Surf and Imperial® rods. Produces extremely light and sensitive rods. Not quite to the level of SCV, but very close. Ideal for the angler who insists on fishing only with top-grade rods.

FYI, the Carbon 4 is not a ST SC4.. The St Croix blanks SC4 and higher are made in the USA.

Yes it is.. Or sorta close to it.. But if you wanted to build it exactly, why wouldn't you just buy the factory rod? St Croix is one of those companies that build a rod correctly?? Just wondering.. Now if you wanted to trick it out with grips, reel seats, guides, etc.. then we are talking! Or you can try ours.. Mike Thorson the head of product at St Croix for over 18 years is now our VP of engineering for over 12+ years! I bet there is something in our lineup that would match perfectly and won't break the bank!

The best quote I have ever heard in this business is from DOCSKI, the master builder, "Its about progression not perfection" - Docski

We always try our best in everything we do. We like to hear from the fisherman from the beginners to the most advanced! Yes, definitely look for the new product this year and every year!

Don't even worry about it. Its functional right now. Time to build more rods and the more you do, the more it will up your skills. Here are some videos to help you in your build. https://youtu.be/qCK56kdF4Fs

Ya.. We understand. That is why our seats are molded with fins on the inside of every seat. ALPS does its very best to think of all the unknown variables. I do believe you can take one of our shims meant for a different reel seat and use it for this. Don't know.. ALPS was first to market with the design, double locking nuts, dual channel, etc.. It is not even close to the same seat. Thank you so much. Have you seen the new ALPS Rapid seat? http://alpsforecast.com/product-category/gear-components/gear-reel-seats/gear-graphite-reel-seats/ We hear you and we are releasing a plethora of components including reel seats for the 2016-2017 season. Just you wait, a lot of things are coming for this next year!

We take all in consideration

Color of blanks is always a topic of discussion. Some people love them, some people don't. Its always a crap shoot. I hope you can get into an Eternity2 blank!! So far, people have claimed as one of the best blanks on the market. They are engineered to perform in the best way possible! There are mods on here that have received them and you could ask them directly on their thoughts. They use rods of all sorts of high end companies, and so far everything has been very positive on the RainShadow Eternity2. The weight, construction, design, sensitivity, .. It is our flagship rod blank line!

No problem at all. They should be equal or better since the blank designer that was with them is now ours! Mike Thorson is one of very few that fish competitively, research, design, and know manufacturing processes to insure our blanks are the best out there. Not to say of course we miss some, but on those Immortals, they should be right inline with what your looking at. It replaced our RX8 lineup and most have said that this blank is better now! The extreme is the SC V. You would have to compare our Eternity2 to the Extreme. One thing though, the more you go up in anyone's lineup as being the best. Typically you gain sensitivity and light weight. Unfortunately you have to sacrifice something and its durability. We have had great luck with our blanks on all aspects, but remember you can't set the hook like Vandam does with his crank bait on anyone's high mod rod and not expect it not to break! If your a St Croix fan, you would love our blanks!

Wow that is great!! And how does it fish? Show us some pics! That Immortal for Walleye is going to be a great rod for you. Looks like you have an awesome rod!

Well everyone flips and pitches differently. They also use different rod blanks in different environments. Keep this in mind always. Down in Texas, this is the models that people like for what your looking for: Revelation series REVC76MH and REVC76H http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/revelation-bass-casting/ RX7 Series: IFS904 and the IFS906 http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx7-bass-flippinstick/

we have a complete kit as well. You can do it by hand, but most of us either mount them to a drill press or hand drills. http://alpsforecast.com/product-category/gear-components/tools-supplies/

No you won't stop at 8.. its a great obsession to have