bowtech_182

I think that the majority of the rods that you see snapped by the touring pros is from simple abuse and misuse. It is very common to see high sticking, rods beaten and banged which causes nicks which are stress risers which can fail the next time the rod is used. I honestly think that if you take care of your gear it will outlast you.

I would suggest Tom Kirkman's book"Rod Building Guide"

Instead of repainting the blank, why not try depainting the blank. It will make it raw graphite color. I have heard of people having good results with citrus based strippers, which will not harm the graphite blank. Some finishes are also removed by simple denatured alcohol which will not harm the blank. In order for it to look right the guides need to be removed. There will be orange rings next to the red guide wraps where the thread finish is covering the finish.

Have any of you tried making your own decal with white waterproof vinyl? It is easy and the decals are easy to apply.

Show me. http://rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,274901,275239#msg-275239

Glenn, Look at Rodbuiling.org. Karry Batson posts there on a regular basis. It is there that he has stated the country of origin on these blanks

The RX8 are built in China, and the RX8+ are built in the USA. That is fact. It has been said that the RX8+ is made by St. Croix, but I don't think that you will get Batson to admit to that. Batson is a very well known company in the rodbuilding community. The only reason why they are not well known in the finished rod community is because their products are rebranded. Take Kistler as an example, as those are reportedly Batson blanks. You really can't go wrong with an RX8 or RX8+. I would highly recommend them

I thought that the RX8+ blanks were built by St. Croix, bu the RX8 blanks are built overseas. Batson is a highly respected blank company with blanks that are of high quality. 4 of my Personal rods I built on Batson RX7 blanks with one RX8 in my lineup. Personally I would rate the RX7 on par with a St.Croix SCIII(Avid)and the RX8 is comparably to a St. Croix SCIV. My next personal rod will be another RX8.

My favorite is a Skinny Dipper. A White Trash Skinny Dipper to be exact.

I like Roboworms in "Aaron's magic" and BPS drop shot worms in watermelon.

I replace mine with Owner ST-36 trebles in size 4

It does not matter as long as the action and power of the blank are suitable to your needs.

I am staying on Sullivans Island. I don't plan on fishing while I am there, but I always try to find local tackle shops to visit.

I will be in Charleston SC for the weekend and would like to visit a few of the local tackle shops. Can anyone point out some of the good ones? Thanks, Andy

I thought it was Ed Mcmahon. Jackson completed it.

I have bought from CADMAN on this board and was very pleased with the jigs and his service. Just ask him for his catalog. Highly recommended.

can you be more specific as to what is broken, where and how? Pictures are always helpful .

I have used the Ringlock A-frames non Titan along with some ringlock fly guides both with nanolite rings on my RX8. I did not have any major issues with mine, but I did notice that the preground feet were a joke. If I had to do it over I would probably just go Alconite.

I need a little assistance in designing a custom logo. I know exactly what I want. It is very easy with only 4 words and a little image. I am very artistically challenged and it would probably take me 8 hours and a lot of cursing when someone knowledgeable could probably whip it out in 2.5 minutes. If you can help please shoot me an IM. Thanks Andy

brown bag will work without holes in it.

what blank is it built on?. I recently built my first rod with EVA and am liking it.

I personally have not used the RX6 blanks, but after having read Alex's posts on RBO for some time now I would trust his recommendation. If you are looking to spend slightly more money and get a lifetime warranty and a better blank please look into the Batson RX7 line of blanks. I build 80% of my rods on RX7 blanks and I am pretty sure you will be very pleased with them.

Thank you greatly for leaving your shirt on

As a whole in the fishing industry cork grades are decreasing and prices are rising. Good cork is getting hard to find. If you want to repair your handle, clean it well with denatured alcohol and apply wood filler that matches the cork and lightly sand.

I use a 7' MM custom Rainshadow cranking rod with a Citica E and have been swapping back and forth with 10lb Hybrid and 12lb BPS fluorocarbon.