MikeK

Look at Get Bit Rainshadow Fly Blanks the UNIF models towards the bottom of the list, or Mud Hole CRB color series.

Cut back the EVA and the grip tenon in 1/16" increments until it fits flush. Without a lathe it may be difficult to get a straight cut on the EVA. I've never had your case but often the butt cap is larger than the grip with CFX carbon fiber from Mud Hole.

1000-2000 size reel with light braid 16H, 8H, 5.5L 2500 reel with heavier braid or mono/fluoro 20H, 10H, 5.5L Smallest runners I've used are 4.5

Mud Hole in person class in Dallas early September.

In the MHX line that meet your price target I think you want SJ842 or MB842 for the lower part of your weight range. I use the SJ842 for unweighted flukes or 1/16-1/8 oz shank weight hooks and shad type plastics.

Congrats on the twins!

0.057" = 3.5/64 so size 4 tube will be fine. I have some old Fuji tips (model MCAT I think) with a 2.2mm ID ring but don't know if available any more. CRB LZR tips in size 4 have a 2.5mm ID ring so PLZT-4-4 from Mud Hole. Easy to replace with tip top hot melt glue or just plain 5-minute epoxy.

I put together one of the American Tackle Tsuka 2 handles just to see what it's all about. Positives: it looks great, it is very lightweight, easy to assemble once everything is dry-fitted, and it seems comfortable (not fished yet) Unknowns are how comfortable it is in use and how it does when wet or slimy Negatives: cost, size 16 so not universal, not through handle design so significant blank trimming needed to get desired length, and not directly compatible with winding checks or other butt caps. Note that the butt cap is not glued in in the complete handle picture.

I don't know any one part product that won't be very thin and take several coats to build depth.

Where do you get Tru Oil? Stryker blanks are on sale right now. What do you think of them?

For downlocking I usually have a thread wrap positioned on the blank to show, and bore out the end of the cork so it it is a loose fit.

Hate gluing on tip tops just to measure . . . MudHole guide tubing and hardware store eye bolts.

Not the same. MHX blanks are designed by Mud Hole and manufactured overseas.

CCS power is 545g and to me upper lure weight 3/4oz is accurate. My experience with MHX Elite Pro blanks is good.

I use 7/16" 1/2", 9/16" for cork, EVA, Winn. Fine thread better for cork. Regular twist drill bits worked by hand are also good for cork. I got mine from a set that was being replaced because so many other sizes were broken. Also have a friend that got a bunch of different sizes for almost nothing at a garage/yard sale.

Try bottoming chamfer tapping bits. Run them in reverse with a variable speed drill stepping up in size as needed.

I know a rod builder in Wisconsin who builds a lot of MHX SJ842 for vertical jigging walleye.

Measured . . . Batson SP842: 84", 5.0T, 0.395"B, 1.61oz, 257g IP, 66AA Batson SP843: 84", 5.0T, 0.478"B, 1.76oz, 329g IP, 63AA MHX SJ842: 84", 4.5T, 0.538"B, 1.81oz, 562g IP, 75AA MHX SJ843: 84", 5.0T, 0.554"B, 2.33oz, 785g IP, 76AA

Cork over Winn Grip. Firmer, more durable, lighter, and can be custom shaped.

I've been thinking about some old rods I used to fish with . . . In the late 70's and early 80's I had several spinning rods under 6' with short front and rear grips (usually EVA). They were very comfortable for 1 handed casting. I decided to replicate that for a rod to use in the kayak. Blank is a Sarge (small TX company) SGT742 cut down to 6' 2".

No direct answer but I just got a Cashion CR6r-iP844 from Mud Hole. Not built yet but seems nice. Has tape ridges, that bothers some folks. Mud Hole website is 1/2 ounce low on the blank weight.

Cork or EVA so I can get exact shape, especially at seams.

I prefer paste epoxy but hardware store PC-7 or PC-11 is too thick to be easy to work with. Does the reel seat wobble when you push it back into position? If yes you need some type of arbor to keep it centered as there will be too much space for liquid epoxy to fill.

And if you fished in the hot Florida sun you got to rewrap your guides every couple of years as the varnish flaked off!

I use 2-part epoxy over the thread. How many coats of polyurethane do you put on the thread wraps?