Batson

If anyone needs any help, we are here to help in any way.

Here is a short description on why our blanks are made the way they are: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/why-rainshadow/ Btw, its nice to have Mike Thorson on our team. Especially he was the head guy at St Croix for so many years before coming to us.

Well its hard to say really. Not all of RainShadow blanks have the philosophy of HDSC. That is what we call High Density=Thicker Wall, Small Circumference=Small Diameter. Some still have the "Tapered" feel as well. In one way you are correct: 2 ways to skin a cat.. but with 1 variable.. Its easier to fit and find parts with a skinnier blank. But remember its not just the butt diameter and tip diameter and the relation between. Most of it has to do with Designs and Manufacturing. Both Designs and manufacturing are great though. I would basically grab 2 blanks with 2 different philosophies and try them. See what makes the difference between you know? Its like comparing a Ferrari to a Bugatti and saying which one is better?

Sure.. 1. Gary Loomis, NFC = Thicker butt, thinner wall, extreme taper 2. Mike Thorson, RainShadow/Ex St Croix = Thinner butt, thicker wall, little taper There isn't a wrong way, but designs are what is key.

nice!!! they will be for a very long time!

You asked specifically about the NFC blank. We are the exclusive distributor of these blanks. NFC is american built by Gary Loomis's new factory. If you want this.. you will have to pay for it. Now for comparison, we also have our RainShadow Rod Blank lineup. You need to decide what is most important to you though. Both the blanks we have are excellent, but they are built on 2 completely different philosophies.

If you can't find this blank, the new blank that has replaced it is called the: RainShadow Immortal

wait wait wait.. First off.. I want to interject that size matters to only the person using the seat. Some like certain sizes some don't. Ok now.. size 16 and 17 does refer to "Size" of the reel seat. But remember some real seats also have ID sizes that are smaller. Thus, if you like a larger reel seat but want to fit it on a smaller diameter blank, you can. Our seats different in sizes per model. Its best to feel whats comfy to you then decide.

Nice rod!! Those XMB's were amazing!!

There are going to be some big things coming in the next years. We understand there needs to be some refinement and refreshment, but just like you said, its interesting to know this info. Its almost like shops need deflection boards as well as other testing equipment to show customers. Now I can say that factory rods are good in their own right. You just can't beat a custom. Lets take just the mere fact on the build, guide layout, number of guides, built on the spine, glued properly etc.... No one can touch that.

If you were to match what they put out in stores ( generally speaking ) vs custom.. You would be surprised. We recently visited a BASS pro shops to always see what people are putting out. Some sell them as the latest and greatest, but when we go to the factories, see the rods being built, seeing the parts they put on them, everyone would be surprised. The mere fact that 98% built on the straight edge vs the Spine makes customs worth it all. Now costs, it can be achieved, but the real savings is in the builds. Customs cost more because its a 1 off perfectly built rod.

sorry I don't have a Dobyns built rod in house to test. Do you know how it deflects via CCS system? If so, we can give you a really close estimate.

I usually sugggest using 1 or 2 double foot strippers on a casting rod then getting to the smallest practical single foots (size 05 to 03) as fast as possible. If double foot runners aren't absolutely necessary, don't use them. The only freshwater applications that come to mind whre they may be needed are big catfish and musky rods. I fish singles for 30+ lb wild kings in my neck of the woods. -Geoff batsonenterprises.com

No Problem! Internet unfortunately doesnt ever convey emotions! We are all here to help out as much as possible. You can call into our sales staff and talk to them as well. We hear from many parts of the country on "what is the best" and it really depends on the person, not really what others say. Different areas have different ways to fish. Unfortunately in the custom world, this is both good and bad. Good=alot of selection and build the perfect rod. Bad=too much selection it can make you go crazy. lol

Reposted! Remember it also depends on where your living. Well I can't speak for my competitors but most the pros we have and others that need a custom! http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/revelation-bass-casting/ Alabama/Guntersville, Tenesse river chain love this blank: REVC710H Est MSRP: $127.05 and the REVC710MH: Est MSRP: $112.40 Florida/Okeechobee/area love this: REVC711XXH: $169.88 Others love this: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx7-bass-flippinstick/ IFS906 Est price: $119.63 MSRP But you might like this: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/immortal-bass-casting/ IMMC73HXF Est price: $188.10 MSRP Good and bad problem to have! Just depends on your area and what you want to accomplish, how you fish, and budget!! But these are full blown MSRP!! You can get all the best parts and still be under.

Hi SenkoGuru, The new Castaway Skeleton V2 are amazing rods for the money. They are using the Revelation blanks as their rod blanks, also if you look, they are using the ALPS split seat, ALPS guides, etc.. Great performance vs value!! http://www.westernbass.com/forum/icast-2015-batson-russ-lane-castaway-rod-soft-touch-grip-t96996.html http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post548059.html#p548059 You will see the Castaway hang tag featuring: RainShadow Rod Blanks and ALPS Hangtags I hope this helps.. Ask away if you have any questions. You know we are experts as well. lol We can educate and help out as much as possible as well as DVT. But it really depends on your area of fishing. The frog rods in Okeechobee are different than Alabama. We have built custom rods for pros that also like it different.

Remember it also depends on where your living. Well I can't speak for my competitors but most the pros we have and others that need a custom! http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/revelation-bass-casting/ Alabama/Guntersville, Tenesse river chain love this blank: REVC710H Est MSRP: $127.05 and the REVC710MH: Est MSRP: $112.40 Florida/Okeechobee/area love this: REVC711XXH: $169.88 Others love this: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/rx7-bass-flippinstick/ IFS906 Est price: $119.63 MSRP But you might like this: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/immortal-bass-casting/ IMMC73HXF Est price: $188.10 MSRP Good and bad problem to have! Just depends on your area and what you want to accomplish, how you fish, and budget!! But these are full blown MSRP!! You can get all the best parts and still be under. Or you can go a "production" style custom: https://www1.powertackle.com/products/rods/keith-combs-signature-series/rods/keith-combs-signature-series/kcfr76mh-7-6 Its has all the tech, built for strength and still very light weight.

Check out a custom rod builder in your area that can help educated: http://www.tigerodz.net

Great!!!

Anyone one of our dealers can get you the blanks!: http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/find-dealer/

We see your point.. But they are custom productions rods. I wouldn't go out and say they are full custom nor just production rods. Why is this? They are built very much like a custom rod is built. Every rod blank is spined, deflected, correct guide spacing, etc.. They are taking custom parts to make a production rod ( more than just a 1 off ). I can see your point, and understanding this.. Its just another way to get rods into peoples hands that might want a bit more..

Here are some production customs that might fit the bill: https://www1.powertackle.com/products/rods/keith-combs-signature-series

Here is a whole list of dealers to buy from! Good luck!! http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/find-dealer/

This is a very interesting subject.. The question really is, do pros use custom rods or sponsored rods? A: You will never get a pro, unless you know them personally, that will talk anything other than they use sponsored rods on their boat. Truth: Every pro has custom rods on their deck. Their main focus on tournaments is winning. they are all a mix. Not every pro likes the most high end. Also different pros fish differently. Keith Combs ( Team RainShadow, BASS Elites, 3 Time Toyota Texas Bass Classic winner ) fishes as a power fisherman with crank baits and football jigs etc.. Where as Anthony Gagliardi ( Team RainShadow, FLW, 2014 Forrestwood Cup Champion ) is more of a sight and finesse fisherman with tubes, senkos, etc.. This happens all the time. Pros use what ever rods, either customs or sponsored, they need to win. But you will get them every time stating they use what ever rod sponsor they have to on the podium. This is true .. But remember every fisherman fishes differently You should check to make 100% sure. I can't tell the real info How do you know? You can't sum "All pros" when there are at least 350+ pros between BASS Elites and FLW. Of course.. If I was KVD, all rods I use are Quantums'

No Problem.. Buying a simple drying motor is probably the best for you. Good Luck. Let us know if you need any other questions answered.