hook and hackle blanks

[jtysone]

Has anyone build on any of the hook and hackle blanks other than the IM6. Im looking for options for a salt/fresh fast action 7wt blank. Any suggestions. Josh

[GonetoSeed]

I'm just finishing a IM7 7' 6" 4wt. I'm very pleased with the blank - straight, excellent finish. It is fast action and given its material, also light and crisp. I haven't built on their heavier wts. However, the IM7 series is the Pac Bay Rainforest line up which has an excellent reputation.

If you are looking for a really fast action and super light weight, talk to Bob about the Rainshadow RX8+. It is up there in price compared to the H&H blanks.

Another option for fast action rods that are excellent values are the Dan Crafts: http://www.dancraftent.com/loadit.html

[GUTHOOKED]

I haven't built one yet, but the XT51 from H&H is the same blank as the old Rainshadow RX8. I cast one a few times a while back, and it is FAST!!!! The RX8+ that GTS mentioned is just as fast but has a better feel, IMO. If you want a super-fast rod with the feel of a more moderate action, the RX8+ is the way to go, but you'll pay a bit more for it.

The H&H IM6 blanks in the heavier weights are a great mod/fast action that I think would suit your purpose just fine. They're not as fast as the RX8 or XT51, but a somewhat experienced caster can still launch a clouser 75-100' fairly easily with them.

[GonetoSeed]

You may have already recieved the notice - H&H has the XT51 series on sale for 40% off and the IM7 for 33% off thru 4/15.

[Ivan]

I've Built the 7 wt IM 7. With alconite guides it will give you plenty of distance. I have also built a Green H&H IM 6 - 9' 6wt; with 7wt line it out performs the IM 7 IMHO. It turns line better for me at both short and long distance and enough backbone to handle the wind. That has a lot to do with my casting style and preference toward a moderately fast action rod and that H&H has under rated those series of rods.

I'm building a 7wt for someone who supplied his own blank; Cabelas FT Blank. I don't know anything about these rods not having built or used one. He told me the blank is made by Sage :rolleyes: ?

Has anyone built out one of these:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0003502311048a&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=cat410034&podId=0003502&catalogCode=IF&parentId=cat410034&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431&hasJS=true

Maybe this is an option.

[jtysone]

I ended up going with the H&H IM6 blank. I build a five wieght with one for my dad and can realy launch line from it. Ill let you n\know how it turns out.

Ivan, The rod i use on the hooch i built on a cabelas FT blank. Its pretty fast. I was told it was made by loomis. I dont know want to beleave, all i know is i like it. Thanks for the help Josh

[GonetoSeed]

Cabelas and other big retailers (like BPS) source their blanks from a number of OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). It doesn't really matter if you hear that a blank or finished rod is made by XXX big name company, because the blank/rod will be made to the specifications and run through the quality control (or lack of) of the retailer. You won't be getting the same blank/rod as sold by XXXX company under their brand names. What does matter is the focus on design, choice of components and quality control of the retailer. imo, Cabelas is great at all of these for blanks and finished rods. For example, I still have not figured out how they can sell the quality of rods in the Stow-a-way series for the prices they do.

This brings up a point similiar to one Guthooked makes: It is not necessary to stick to big name blanks. Some of these OEMs sell blanks that they design themselves, which are made on their mandrels and under their quite high quality control standards(Batson, Shakari, Pac Bay, Siever (Tiger Eye). imo, they can be every bit as good and in some cases better than a comparable blank from a more name recognizable company. They are also a lot better value. These companies do not have to re-coup retail marketing costs, supply chain and other overhead costs.

btw, Ivan brings up a good point. You may already be planning this, but if not give it consideration. imo, SF ceramics will help the performance. If you are intending to use it in salt the Fuji SIC in TI frames are the best when it comes to corrosin resistance and slickness/durability of the insert. They are expensive however and if outside the budget, the Alconites (or equivalents from American Tackle or Pac Bay) will serve you very well. Also, when setting up consider a taming guide. Its a double foot guide one size smaller than the stripper and placed 4" ahead of the stripper. Set it up in your temporary configuration and test cast. If it helps then keep it, if not remove. I've found that they usually help and keep them in my configuration for 6wts and above that are intended for longer casting distances.

[Ivan]

J : I think your going to be happy with that choice.

The H&H IM 6 is my favorite choice of blanks for all the reasons stated above by my you and I. Do think about the ceramic guides. I have used both snake (work excellently) and alconites on those blanks and there is a noticeable "difference when your working big line". Also the tamer guide works for me on those blanks it's another plus IMHO.

I am building a H&H 10 ft 4 wt IM 6 Green blank using the H&H branded ceramics guides. This is the first time I've used them. I think they are made by American. The price was right. I think I paid less than $8 for the lot.

I'll have pictures tommorrow of the 7'9' and the 10'

lets us know how it come's out. Pictures!

P.S. I Checked with my friend about the Cabela Blank he gave me. He also said it was a G Loomis Blank that he had got the information from a very reliable source. He works for a major outdoor sporting goods manufacturer. Apparently it is no secret in those circles! I'll just say he did not get blank from Cabelas but somewhere in between.;)

[mmarkey]

Ivan
I'm getting confused. Is that cabelas blank made by sage or g loomis. Or do they all just use the same blank and just change the decals? :confused:

[Ivan]

Sorry Mike!

When I was first given the blank my friend said Sage, When I saw Fly's post I asked him to check it out. He he told me that it was etiher Sage or Loomis then called me back and told me it was a loomis blank. He then again told me the reliable source story. At this point I'll leave it at being a Cabela blank.

[jtysone]

Ivan, the tamer guide you brought up, What is it used for and does it go between the handleand the first stripping guide or between the first and second striping guide? Josh

[Windknot]

Josh, the tamer goes around 4 inches in front of the first guide, and it should be larger. If your first stripper guide is a size 12, use a tamer of 16 or 20.

Its function is to reduce the coil and line slap of your line as you shoot it. Some folks just touch their line hand thumb to a fingertip, making a loop of sorts, to do the same thing.

It is a bit like putting a rear spoiler on a street car, it may not accomplish much, but it looks cool. IMO.
Don

[Ivan]

Thanks Don. I was taking a nap at the office.

Tysone you might want to test it first before applying the finish as GTS mentioned. It tends to work better on rods over 8 ft but I have used on some 7 footers and like the results.