Hey guys,

I want to try my hand at building a rod and was wondering where I could find a good blank for my first build.  I dont want to pay a fortune cause I'm sure it wont be perfect, but would like to try 7ft. MH casting rod.  Any input would be great.

Thanks,

Deadeye32

I think the best value blanks are the Batson RX6 or RX7, depending on your definition of inexpensive.  I've built both and have nothing but good things to say about them.

go slow and ask lots of questions...  there is a tremendous amount of knowledge here and RBO.

Check out the XP3 line at  www.swamplandtackle.com

 I typically use an RX7 or XP3 for the bulk of my builds, and I don't have anything negative to say about either of them although I tend to prefer the XP3.  As flechero stated, check out RBO, its loaded with experienced information your simply not going to find anywhere else.

Don't invest a lot on your first blank. You mess up the handle, the seat, etc... you're going to be an unhappy camper.

Check out the MudHole custom builder blanks. $20. Pretty good blanks. Not a lot of variety. Build your first one, tear it apart, build it again - get comfortable with it. THEN spend money on a better grade blank.

If you haven't yet I would say read the sticky above....

"Newbies with rod building questions"

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!  

Thanks guys for the info.  I will let you all know how it is going when I get started, so be expecting some questions in the near future.  I have also read the sticky sections and it is helping alot.

Thanks again,

Kyle (Deadeye32)

Check out the MudHole custom builder blanks. $20. Pretty good blanks. Not a lot of variety. Build your first one, tear it apart, build it again - get comfortable with it. THEN spend money on a better grade blank.

x2

Kyle,

Although I don't advocate spending a lot of money on the first one, I also don't want you to think that everyone messes up the first one.  To this day, I still fish my first build.  It's not perfect but it's better than any factory rod I've ever owned.  

If you are relatively handy and go slow- thinking about each step before you act, you can make a VERY serviceable rod the first time out.

I say this because if you build a cheapo blank with mediocre components the first time out then you will probably not fish it and therefore have little incentive to do a quality job on the design and build.

flechero,

your exactly right on that.  I just put an order in for some building supplies this week and ordered a couple of the mudhole custom 7ft. Hvy. and 1 7ft. Med. blanks.  I'm just going to go slow and try to do it right the first time and learn as I go.  

Thanks again,

Kyle

Kyle,

I say this because if you build a cheapo blank with mediocre components the first time out then you will probably not fish it and therefore have little incentive to do a quality job on the design and build.

Actually if you shop around a little, you can often find higher end blanks on closeout pricing. Bingham Enterprises and Fishsticks4U are great for this. Fishsticks had the ATC blanks in barrels at the ICRBE for $20 a rod. Granted there's no warranty, but $20 for a blank that previously sold for $60 is a good deal. If you shop around, you can find higher quality components at a good price as well. Bingham currently has ECSM reel seats at $1.99. That's less than wholesale! So look around - you can really build on a budget if you keep your eye out.

You've clearly mistaken my post.  I never said pee pee away money...  but the 1.99 seats are only in certain sizes and the ICRBE priced blanks were at the show.  By the time you make purchases at multiple vendors you've wasted 4x that $3 savings on the reel seat, in shipping charges.

There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive.  So if you go cheap, a perfect build will still be inferior to the inexpensive rod.

Like anything, common sense should prevail.  And with that, I'm out.

You'll be happy on the mudhole blanks I built two MH blanks one for wifey and one for daughter, so far they have been great,(I tend to use my daughters alot more its the 6.6)

so far I have bought everything from MH, JannesCrafters and Swampland, I picked up some mini guides from SL and haven't used them yet, the tip is wrong size for the blank  I planned on using so that mini project is on hold for now

Its a blast and rewarding, Like I said I use my daughters the most, its pink and I built it around my Pflueger reel as a copy, well my Plueger ended up on it : I learned something there ;D