I will be building 3 heavy rods this year, serious old school rods .In the past I would have just gone to Mr Mac and bought Harnell 39 or 54 thread blanks, 3 full sets of Mildrum side mount guides and started building. Alas, times change my beloved Harnell blanks and Mildrum guides are no more, or at least so scarce I could wade through 30 miles of hen's teeth before I found any. I will be using Aftco bigfoot guides,got that covered, I have 3 Lakewood clones of the old Varmac RS6H reel seats that I will be fitting with oak butts. My problem is the blank, I have narrowed my choices to a CalStar Baja Boomer or a Rainshadow 80-130 stand up tuna blank.I know nothing about either of the companies or their products so any guidance would be welcome. What I am looking for is something that can handle a 12/0 to 16/0 reel with 80 to 130 lb. line
Bob
out of the two I would choose the Calstar Baja Boomer. I have used one all year and it is a great blank, super powerful. You can fish 130lb line and pull all the drag you can stand with it, I have pulled over 50lbs on mine on a scale with no problem with a 80. There are a couple other blanks to consider in the same price range from Calstar.
655tss-fast taper 60-130
6455xxh-x fast taper 50-120
and then for comparison the
baja boomer-2x fast 60-130
all 3 5'6 and similiar ratings
I am contemplating another rod and I am between the 655tss and the Mudhole Gator GATOR-XH 5'10" Fast 60-100 Fast Stand-Up 16 .948 $51.03. Its fairly thick walled and a little slower actioned then any of the calstars I listed.