Looking for a bit of guidance here. I'm nearly ready to order a blank for a new jig rod and I have reached a position of "paralysis by analysis". I'm specifically looking at rodgeeks and rainshadow blanks. 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs (+ trailer) on 30lb braid (with occasional leader), throwing into brush and laydowns is what I'll be doing with this rod. I take care of my equipment, but I definitely use it... this will be a tool, not a showpiece. 

 

If you guys with experience fishing rodgeeks and/or rainshadow blanks would throw some suggestions at me it would be greatly appreciated and just might help me make a decision. I need to keep it 7' 3" or shorter.

 

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

I’ve built on both brands with great results. In both cases their suggested lure weight ranges are pretty accurate. 

RodGeeks 

MODEL #C470MF

LENGTH7' 

POWERM

ACTIONF

MONO. LINE WGT.6 - 14 lb.

LURE WGT. OZ.1/4 - 5/8

TIP SIZE*6

BUTT DIAMETER*0.457"

Weight*1.9 oz.

 

I have built two of these, and they are very fine blanks.  Being "St Croix," they are a little more powerful than the typical med power.  This blank is very similar to the St Croix SCV 7 foot medium power blank.  Which I've built many of, and is one of my favorites.  

 

There used to be a great Rainshadow MH 7 foot XF action blank that I built, too, and it was just a little more powerful than the RG, but don't find it now.  

 

The CCS for these is as follows:  SCV 181 pennies-77 degrees (452 grams)

Carbon4    200-75

Rainshadow  231-74  

 

For what you describe, I think the Carbon 4 is the best of these 3.  Certainly better than the RS which I couldn't find any  more.

 

 

Thanks! This gives me some food for thought. I wasn't even considering the M models and was really just looking at the MH (3/8-1oz) as I was concerned the 1/2oz jig plus trailer would be too much for the 5/16oz top end on the M.

 

 

After your last post:  Notice in my numbers that the MH Rainshadow was the most powerful rod of the ones I mentioned.  My son uses it for 1/2 oz jigs with pretty hefty trailers, and likes the solid hook sets.  You may be better off with blanks called MH, even RodGeek blanks, since the Rainshadow of my selection has the highest power.  I don't think that Rainshadow is too powerful for what you describe.  I think your risk of being underpowered with M is greater than your risk of being overpowered with MH.