Haven't made a rod in a year or two and was sad to learn St. Croix is no longer selling blanks. I have 2 rods I built on 7ft ML-F SCIII blanks. I love that blank because I feel confident throwing 90% of applications and have caught micro fish less than an inch to big bass and pickerel with it. The 2 piece is my bank fishing rod and its a great all around rod for when I don't want to carry more than 1 rod. It's got a nice soft sensitive tip but a strong backbone which allows me to throw light lures far but also throw heavier lures as well. I love it could throw my 1/16 and 1/8 hair jigs pretty far. Anyway...

 

Basically looking for a rod like the 7ft ML-F SCIII but with a little slower action. 

I can't help you specifically but if you want St. Croix blanks, from what I understand Rod Geeks is using St. Croix's Mexico facility to build their blanks using St. Croix materials and mandrels. Rod Geeks C2 blanks should be very similar to SCII and their C4 blanks should be very similar to SCIV. They also will be carrying St. Croix branded SCV blanks. 

 

I know that doesn't really answer your question but it seems as though you can basically still get St. Croix blanks from Rod Geeks in many different colors, including bare graphite for much cheaper than before.

Rodgeeks has an exceptional support group, so contact them, ask your questions and get the answers from the source

Rodgeeks is not using St Croix mandrels. Their website plainly states that their blanks are a different, more moderate, taper than the equivalent St Croix blank.

Actually if you go to their Blog site it says MOST Rodgeeks blanks are identical to the St. Croix blanks in all respects.

From the rodgeeks website,

 

How do our blanks compare to St. Croix in terms of power and action?

Our blanks are very similar to comparable St. Croix models with the exception of our Bass Series. These blanks are designed specifically for bass fisherman, with slightly slower actions and more power in the tips. The action section of our blanks also have reinforcing material for extra durability. Our C2 blanks are the same as St. Croix's SCII, and our C4 is the same as SCIV. We do not have a direct SCIII equivalent because our C4 blanks are even higher performance at great prices.

 

The "bass series" has the more moderate taper. I was under the impression the carbon 4 series was nearly identical to SCIV as it says "Our C2 blanks are the same as St.Croix's SCII, and our C4 is the same as SCIV."

 

I'm a complete noob to rod building and have no hands on experience so if this is not accurate someone please straighten me out here.