OK, I have put together my first rod wish list, I went with all Fuji, I'm going with Al. Oxide guides, but I'm stuck on a rod blank.

I'm gonna build a spin worm jig-at least a 7' rod Medium power fast tip, Now I don't want the fear of messin up to domiante what quality to get so I'll seek some oppinions here, I'll start with what I want and then what I should get ;D

First is Gloomis SJ842-GL3 mahogany (GL 7' spin Jig 6-12WT B.505 T5 GL3) M,Fast for $110.oo This would put me at the hole rod package of $135.00

Second is rainShadow blank RS-ISB822.5 Matte Clear 6'10" line:6-14lb. lure:1/8 - 5/8oz. butt 0.570 tip 5.0 Extra-Fast Medium rod wieght 1.95 oz. for $60.75 Hole rod package is $85.75

Third is Sampland castaway blank SL-Castaway Blank 822 6'10" Length Line # 8 - 14 Lure Oz. - 1/4 - 1/2 PWR - ML Action - Fast for $49.00 at a hole rod package of $74.00

Fourth is Mudholes IM6 balnk MH-IS701L 7' Line#8-12 lure#1/2 - 1 1/2 tip:Fast Power Light butt.44 tip 6 $16.95 $22.95 hole rod package of $41.95 to $47.95

I know your limited to exact rod you want by going down in price so I tried to pick the closes one I could on the last two, so any thoughts there fellas?

 All the rods you've listed will make incredible fishing rods.  I have experience with Rainshadow, Castaway, All Star, and St Croix blanks.  I have personally used the 822

-the model listed here  

http://www.swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=33

 and its currently one of the rods in my core arsenal.   The 822 is incredibly light and very sensitive (2.1 oz).  I feel its one of the best values to be had. It will fish as good if not better than blanks that are much more expensive.

 Thats not to say the other blanks are inferior, but I would likely choose the castaway based on the price/performance ratio.

I have heard nothign but good stuff about the RainShadow blank RS-ISB822.5 Matte Clear 6'10"  line:6-14lb. lure:1/8 - 5/8oz. butt 0.570 tip 5.0 Extra-Fast Medium rod wieght 1.95 oz.  for $60.75

This is the Brand I will be using in the next few weeks when I build my first rod aswell.

Have you held any of these rods at all?

and

Let us know what you have picked?

I have heard nothign but good stuff about the RainShadow blank RS-ISB822.5 Matte Clear 6'10" line:6-14lb. lure:1/8 - 5/8oz. butt 0.570 tip 5.0 Extra-Fast Medium rod wieght 1.95 oz. for $60.75

This is the Brand I will be using in the next few weeks when I build my first rod aswell.

Have you held any of these rods at all?

and

Let us know what you have picked?

Just the gloomis, there's a dealer about 6 or so miles away.

will let ya know on the rod I pick, plan on taking pics thru my first build

But I'm still unsure on which one just yet

St. Croix SCIII

3C70MHF 7'0" MED-HVY FAST

10-20 lb test

3/8-1 0 oz lure

.605 Butt

6.5 Tip

2.900 Oz blank weight

$95.00

http://www.customtackle.com/cgi-bin/cts/ctstore.cgi?page=stcroixsc3.html&cart_id=6615130_13408&partner=cts

Baston RX-7

IMB843 7'0"

10-17lb test

0.600 butt 5.5 Tip

FAST MED/HVY

$39.38

http://www.customtackle.com/cgi-bin/cts/ctstore.cgi?page=rainshadowim6.html&cart_id=6615130_13408&partner=cts

Bob & Steve both build rods as well. They will answer any questions that you have.

The St Croix blank is great.

Eric

Fishingbuds,

My 2 cents worth is this... upgrade to alconites for starters... the cost difference is VERY small.

I'm not a fan of the GL2 or 3 blanks. They are fine but IMO way overpriced. I'd build a Batson RX7 over a GL3... the RX7 is about 1/2 the price and about the same performance.

The reason I always suggest not building a high $ blank on the first one is not because I think you'll mess up (even thought it's possible) but you will learn so much on the first build that your 2nd, 3rd, 4th are light years ahead of the first one. (and many people "retire" the first one after they build a couple)

I still fish my first build at times... and I still laugh EVERY time I pick it up. ;D

So that is why I think it's better to build on a lower or mid range blank the first time.

2x with Flechero on this.

Go Anlconites and start with the Mudhole.  Build your "dream rod" on your next or maybe third attempt.  I built my "dream" crank on my third attempt.  Still use it, its my favorite (for the moment) for cranks but when I take a good hard look at it I think - "why is that cork misshaped, that thread looks crooked, where'd those bubbles come from, etc., ?"  The mudhole blanks are good.  Even better are the castaway MB blanks on close out at Swampland.  Just finished a killer jig/worm rod on that blank.

Eddie

I don't think you can go wrong starting with a Batson Rx7 blank.  My first rod was a RX7.Personally I would use nothing lower than Hardloy guides, but Alconites are preferred.  I noticed that you are listing kit prices that are $25 more than the blank price.  Where are you getting that number because it seems a little low.  For a first rod you will need cork, thread, epoxy, finish, reel seat guides and a tip top.  That is not counting other things such are reamers and mixing cups, etc.  For my first build I had almost $80 worth of stuff added to the the $42 blank

I don't think you can go wrong starting with a Batson Rx7 blank. My first rod was a RX7.Personally I would use nothing lower than Hardloy guides, but Alconites are preferred. I noticed that you are listing kit prices that are $25 more than the blank price. Where are you getting that number because it seems a little low. For a first rod you will need cork, thread, epoxy, finish, reel seat guides and a tip top. That is not counting other things such are reamers and mixing cups, etc. For my first build I had almost $80 worth of stuff added to the the $42 blank

Already got building stuff, did that at Mudhole, all I need is a rod blank, seat with cork handles and guides w/top, I've been doing my homework, I'm missing a few buck items but I hand picked everything so far. Yea double checked the price-I'm on. Oh, the other thing is I'm not building a glamor rod either, its all low profile that fishes. I'll hand turn cork down the road.

Thanks for the input fellas, I think I will settle on the mudhole blank, I might just do one set up for my wife or daughter first. I've kept all my notes and added the Alconites to it, I plan to keep a log on all my rod ideas for future referance

well, Gotta get past the Xmas bills and then I should beable to buy it. Just gotta wait it out a little here , oh, well at least I know its comen