Anyone with experience making a rod from a Shikiri MB683 (Mag Bass) blank?  Couldn't resist buying one on sale, but not sure what is the best way to use it.  

The blank feels a lot like the Loomis SB 812 (spinner bait - the middle action one) in the hand.

It feels like it could make a great casting rod for lures in the 1/2-1 oz range, like the Loomis, or a fairly stout spinning rod for heavy jigs, jig & pigs, etc.  Might make a good dropshot rod? Would be very effective for twitching, I would think.

Comments please.

thanks, Mick

Mick,

Sounds like a nice blank.  Looking forward to seeing a picture of your finished rod.  What reel are you putting on it?

Is that the 6'8" fast 10-17lb?  If so I have built 3 rods on them so far and love them.  I like them for lighter spinnerbaits (preference, I like a stiffer blade rod to pull heavier baits through the grass).  I have been using one lately for tossing 4" t-rigged tiki sticks and have caught a mess of spots.  I love the rod and for the price it cannot be beat.  

Anthony

Hey Mick,

Were did ya get the blank? All of the actual original Shikäri® blanks I have built on had a SHI, SHII, SHIII, and SHX, designation, never saw a MB. But I haven't seen any real Shikäri® balnks since they were bought out by ATC anyway.

Thats how Mudhole is marketing them.  

Anthony

Hummm Thanks.

Kind of thought it was them.

AnthonyRss, what type of reels are you using with yours.  It is the 6' 8" 10-17 fast mentioned, and it was sold by Mudhole as a Shikiri shII, without decal as had been mentioned in previous posts.  If it's not shikiri, I got screwed.  But not out of much at the discount price.  Looks and feels very good.

I don't have a reel plan yet as I don't know whether to build it into a casting rod or a spinning.  Am leaning spin since I don't have a good "heavy" spinning rod-mine are more to the medium/fast variety.

Hoping for more comments.

thanks, Mick

I built one up that has a Citica 100 on it that I mainly use for soft plastics, and I built one for a friend that uses an Abu 5600.  I think it has a good all-around action.  I have thrown 1/2oz spinnerbaits on it but it is a bit light for those for my taste.  Smaller works well.  I think the value of these is awesome.  I just finished a RX7 7ft 10-20lb fast and although I like the rod, I think the SHII in the same weight would be better.  

I used Alconites on the first one but I don't think the blank is quite light enough to justify them.  Went with hard alox Batsons on the others.  EVA split grip, no foregrip.  

I am working on 4 other rods on these SHII blanks, I think they rock.

Anthony