While I was at Mud Hole today picking up the parts for the Tackle the Storm rod, I picked up a "few" more parts.

 

Blank will be a MHX- MB-843  7" MH Fast

 

SK2 Split grip Reel Seat

 

Black Aluminum Hood with black dimpled winding checks

 

Black and silver aluminum split grip accent pieces between Fuji composite cork grips

 

Guides are Fuji K series Sic micros in gunsmoke.

 

 

When it comes to split seats like sk it's a love em or hate em proposition for a lot of folks. I'm not as definite but lean toward exposed full seat. The split is a good spot to add a splash of color though.

Very nice; all I have to say is man I'm lucky I don't live near mudhole otherwise I'd be broke living in a shack made out of fishing rods.

Finally got back on the build today.  I could not make up my mind about the blank but I wound up building on a Rainshadow RX8+C843.  This blank is supposed to sell for $211 and was marked down to $127 from Get Bit.  I have a MHX MB 843 ($50) and a MHX HM 843 ($105) also hanging on the wall waiting for a build.

 

First impressions is I'm not overly impressed with the blank.  I'm going to build on it with high end components and test against Nicoles HM 843 I built last month.  

 

We shall see.

 

Here is the handle.  A few changes from the original design.

 

 

 

I have the C812 and love it. Tip and taper are spot on for my tastes. I prefer it to any Mhx high mods I've used thus far. What is it about the blank you don't like? The finish?

It is very tip heavy compared to the HM.  It looks great and by spec it should be nearly identical, but it does not feel that way.  I guess I just had higher expectations from a blank that is supposed to sell for over $200.

Finished her today.  I changed the handle and instead of the aluminum trim pieces I went with a carbon fiber Rod Skinz.

 

 

That is a beautiful rod!  How much time is envolved in a build like that?

Yup, I like the changes.. Hope it works out for you. Sounds quite nice..

That is a beautiful rod!  How much time is envolved in a build like that?

 

 

Actual build time was probably around 4 hours, maybe less..  There was a lot of planning time, thinking time, and time spent of the dryer.  I worked on it 3 different times about 3 weeks apart.  I have a local tackle shop interested in carrying a few of my rods and this was going to be the first one in the shop.  That's why there was no hurry on it, but now that it's finished, I think I will keep it for myself.

That rod looks awesome! If I made a rod that looked like that I would want to keep it too haha

Just saw your builds, all the rods are looking great! Hope everything is going well.

Just saw your builds, all the rods are looking great! Hope everything is going well.

 

And Tommy awakes from the dead.  Things are going great.  You and Brit should come out to the lake.

Looks good FishinDaddy. Question for you, how long is your handle? Just trying to get an idea of the RX8+ being tip heavy :|

 

Your rod looks great!! 

Looks good FishinDaddy. Question for you, how long is your handle? Just trying to get an idea of the RX8+ being tip heavy :|

 

Your rod looks great!! 

 

 

I set my personal rod triggers at 11 3/4 from the butt.  The balance point on the rod is 10 1/4 ahead of the trigger.  The MHX 843's with identical handle set ups normally balance about 6 ahead of the trigger.

 

I have not fished it yet.  Going in the boat this weekend so we will see.

Fished the rod this weekend and it's great.  Starting with a Siebert Fogy, then a Bitters Mega vibe weightless, and finally with a 1/16 oz tungsten and a vibe worm.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the balance and it fishes with a lot of sensitivity.  The blank is a little lighter than you would expect in a MH but that makes it cast light baits better than expected.

 

The only drawback I see is the cost.  It's no better or worse than the MHX HM843 at more than twice the list price.

Lee, is the MHX HM843  blank the Gen. 1 or 2? Brian.

Lee, is the MHX HM843  blank the Gen. 1 or 2? Brian.

 

 

Yours and Nicoles are Gen 2.  They only have a few oddball Gen 1 blanks left.

Fished the rod this weekend and it's great.  Starting with a Siebert Fogy, then a Bitters Mega vibe weightless, and finally with a 1/16 oz tungsten and a vibe worm.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the balance and it fishes with a lot of sensitivity.  The blank is a little lighter than you would expect in a MH but that makes it cast light baits better than expected.

 

The only drawback I see is the cost.  It's no better or worse than the MHX HM843 at more than twice the list price.

Not trying to Hijack a thread, only because you built on the RX8+.... Do you see any difference in the new ones? Have you tried our Immortal or the Eternity2 models yet? 

 Have you tried our Immortal or the Eternity2 models yet? 

 

 

No, and since you asked, I probably will not.

 

Head to head with MHX, your blanks lose.  Yours are larger diameter, 30% heavier, and up to 50% more expensive.  I only bought the RX8 because it was on "sale" and finally got close enough to my price point to give it a try.

 

HM-MB862-MHX 7'2" 1 8-14 1/8-5/8 Fast Medium Jig & Pig, Pitchin', Spinner Bait, Worming 1.5 .573 4.5 $104.00  

 

Model Application Len Line Lure Butt Tip Action Pwr Wt Price                           ETEC72M-CB

All purpose Bass /Jig & pig /Worm plastics /Carolina Rig

7’2” 10-17 1/4-3/4 .535 5.5 F M 2.3 $157.74

 

 

As I said earlier, I like the RX8 I built, but it's no better than a blank I can buy for $53 less.  

 

Unless you want to sell me one for $104 so I can build a comparison rod, then I probably will never buy one.

 

One other point.   While you were busy spamming my build threads in January, Mudhole, without my request, were donating parts to my charity builds.  You never offered squat.