Ned Rig Rod From Scratch

[5bites]

Might look at the MHX Shooter blanks. Supposed to be built for that purpose.

Good point. I forgot about those. I've built on several mhx blanks. So far so good. Not the most sensitive blank out there but the price is right and they're light.

[dtrs5kprs]

Good point. I forgot about those. I've built on several mhx blanks. So far so good. Not the most sensitive blank out there but the price is right and they're light.

Hard to get a sensitive blank without going to St Croix or Phenix. Without Loomis these days those are probably the next best. Maybe Lamiglas.

Have built several of the Jann's JMX blanks, and have more to build. Seem to be the same blanks as the MHX, down to the specs. Am sure both companies would sent that, but calipers are calipers. Jann's runs them at 20% off on occasion. Gets you a nice crisp blank for about $40 on many of the models.

[5bites]

Hmmmm that's good information. I've seen them on the site and heard they were likely the same but I've never really paid attention to them.

Keep your eyes on Fuji. They are making prototypes that are getting good numbers. Weight power and speed.

I've been kinda itching to try some of lami's newer xf stuff. I wish someone local carried their rods so I could get a feel for them.

[dtrs5kprs]

Lamiglas is definitely hard to put in hand without just buying one. Have an acquaintance who built a few, with hit and miss reviews. He's an accomplished builder, so I took him seriously.

My primary Ned rod is one of the JMX blanks, and I love it. Has accounted for many hundreds of finesse fish. Also built a 7' football jig rod from that line and it is nice. Fewer models than MHX but most of the standard lengths and actions.

Have not tried the Mudhole high modulus yet. Seems stepping up to St Croix or others is probably better at that price.

[Gavin]

Try north fork composites or Batson blanks. I've been happy with the ones I've assembled.

[5bites]

Lamiglas is definitely hard to put in hand without just buying one. Have an acquaintance who built a few, with hit and miss reviews. He's an accomplished builder, so I took him seriously.

My primary Ned rod is one of the JMX blanks, and I love it. Has accounted for many hundreds of finesse fish. Also built a 7' football jig rod from that line and it is nice. Fewer models than MHX but most of the standard lengths and actions.

Have not tried the Mudhole high modulus yet. Seems stepping up to St Croix or others is probably better at that price.

Well that's a bummer to hear about lamiglas.

I have built on one high mod mhx. It didn't have the same power as the standard mhx equivalent. It was the mb844. It felt a half power less roughly. I've built several standard mhx mb844's. Again good blank and fast but not as sensitive as I'd like.

The high mod I built was insanely light. I used as little Eva as I could to make the grips, split the reel seat, used as few micro guides as I could, and as little thread and epoxy. If I remember right it was under 3oz. Not bad for a heavy power 7' rod. Sadly it's in grand lake somewhere with a steez on it. It still stings a little to talk about. I have a similarly built standard mhx that weighs 3.5oz.

[5bites]

Try north fork composites or Batson blanks. I've been happy with the ones I've assembled.

I've never built on a north fork. The reason is that I like fast blanks. Xf for a lot of applications. They have been proven to be on the slow side of their ratings which is a shame. If somebody would make an equivent to the loomis bcr series rods I'd be a happy camper! The 13 Fishing rods are nearly worth buying just to use the blanks.

[dtrs5kprs]

The high mod I built was insanely light. I used as little Eva as I could to make the grips, split the reel seat, used as few micro guides as I could, and as little thread and epoxy. If I remember right it was under 3oz. Not bad for a heavy power 7' rod. Sadly it's in grand lake somewhere with a steez on it. It still stings a little to talk about. I have a similarly built standard mhx that weighs 3.5oz.

"Stings" does not do that justice...

[rps]

A few pics of the new rod. I used my phone so the quality is not perfect.

[rps]

I used a Forhan locking wrap for the guides and hook keeper. I used cord to build up the blank to fit the winding check that fit the handle, then epoxied the cord for durability. I attach my reel to the handle with two zip ties and then wrap with electrical tape for comfort.