I am new to building and am currently in the process of building my first one.

I am kind of confused on the different types of blanks available. I see there are Mag Bass, Popping, Flipping, Regular Rx Blanks. I am pretty sure that a Moderate action rod should be used for the likes of SpinnerBaits, CrankBaits maybe some top waters, while fast action would be used for tubes, jigs, jerkbaits, worms, and some top waters but how in the world do all these different type blanks play into the world?

Is there somewhere that explains all this that I missed in all my research? Anyone care to try and explain if there is no such place to be found? Or is it more of a trial and error type thing that is individual preference?

Thanks guys,

Tommy

Hey Tommy,

There is a "must have" book for beginning rod builders that will be very helpfull. http://www.amazon.com/Rod-Building-Guide-Spinning-Trolling/dp/1571882162.

Also check out www.rodbuilders.org and search the site. Sign up and ask all the questions you like. There are lots of experts there that will gladly answer your questions. I hope this helps.

Ronnie

Thanks alpster already got the book, subscribe to rod builder magazine and am a member of the rodbuilders.org.

I started researching building rods about a year ago, but have somehow missed info on the blank types.

Q,

Sorry if I stated the obvious.  :-[ I have been building rods for a while now and I am of the opinion that rod (and blank) manufacturers are happy with the confusion that you and I both have. I mean, if there are 127 different  powers, styles, lengths, actions, etc. then I guess we must have one of each to be good fishermen? Right?. Well, I have (out of neccessity) narrowed it down to a few basics. I like long, med. heavy, fast action rods for soft plastics, spinner baits and cranking. I Like short, heavy action rods for pitching and close heavy cover. I like long, med. power fast action rods for top water and buzzbaits. I like real long (7' 6" and 8'), heavy power moderate action for flipping and swimbaits. I just have to sift through the bazillions of blanks out there to get down to what I know will work for me. At the end of the day, there are only a small few that "meet the need" you just have to make your own list and stick to it. LOL - JMHO

Ronnie

Thanks Alpster, I think maybe my original question might have been a little misleading in what I was actually asking.

What I am looking for is what makes a Mag Bass blank different from a Popping and it different from a Flipping or regular RX blank, not necisarily what to use each or power for.

Like you said the rod blank industry has done a very good job at confusing the heck out of me. I have been researching and what not for a little over a year now, finally bought my first blank, guides and all the other hooplah to go with it and have started on my first build but this is something that I have never really seen discussed or talked about much or I am just not looking in the right places.

See what you like is a little different from me when it comes to blanks, I like Moderate action for spinnerbaits, cranks, buzz baits and fast action or xfast action for jigs, tubes, worms, jerkbaits. Thats why the original question wasnt meant to read like what are the blanks good for as I already know what I like in my rods but just dont know what the difference is between the Popping, Mag Bass, Flippin, or Regular blanks are when it comes to tapers and what not.

Tommy

Tommy,

I hear ya! The point of my previous post was not so much what I like best. It was more trying to understand what do you call a flippin, crankin, spinnerbait, etc. rod. I have just gotten to where I know what I like for these types of fishing techniques and I identify the blanks based on my own experience rather than the hype of the manufacturers. I think the reason they get away with confusing us so much is, that we don't all think alike, and we all have our own idea of what is perfect. You have to admire the industry, they have sure got a lot of my money. But hey, I love building rods & fishing and there is still a lot to learn. Sorry I can't be more help.

Ronnie

What I am looking for is what makes a Mag Bass blank different from a Popping and it different from a Flipping or regular RX blank, not necisarily what to use each or power for

Q,

The difference in the different types of blanks basically comes down to the taper, wall thickness and tip diameter. As an example, most mag bass rods have a heavy backbone and a fairly delicate tip. Popping rods are much softer through the mid section and butt than a mag bass, in fact the popping rods are much like a spinning rod in that respect. True Flipping rods (most are mod-fast) are long heavy rods, much of the design is to absorb shock on a close up, eye crossing hookset. And each companies version varies from the other. ...lol

A way oversimplified explanation: When a blank is made, they start with a mandrel which is just a metal "form" of the blank and then the graphite material (picture a roll of cloth) is cut out into a trianglular shaped flag and wrapped around the mandrel, tacked in place, debaulked and "cooked." The faster the taper the wider the base of the triangle in relation to the length. They can manipulate the rate of the taper and even have multiple "steps" in the taper to accomplish different things. Add to this a difference in material (modulous) and wall thickness and you have an infinite number of weights, action, tapers and rod types.

So the terms mag bass and popping, etc. loosly describe how it's made so we have an idea of what the rods will feel like.

Hope this helps more than confuses things.  ...lol