I haven't seen them yet, but the Batson Popping blanks are pretty much perfect for the way we fish here. I am sure the new ones will be atleast as good as the old ones, and I will definitely use them.

I would not use eva again for wadefishing rods, as they get very slippery when wet. Besides that, I can see a use for everything I have tried.

For my type of saltwater fishing, here are my must haves: Old Loomis Cb783 for winter grinding with corkies and topwaters RX8 822.5 for summer topwaters, and softplastics XP 841 popping for winter softplastics and mirrodines These three blanks have each caught fish up to 20lbs. I built the 841 as li...

I also wadefish the Texas coast, and I highly recommend the Laguna Latis Stix for what you are throwing. I also really like Sarge Custom's Smooth Dog for those baits. Both of these rods will be much lighter than any production rod.

I have finally fished this rod enough to form an opinion. It is a Phenix K2 683ml. I used a Fui SK2 reel seat, eva foam split grip with flocking, and Fuji Ti Sic micro guides spiral wrapped to the right. Total weight is 2.3 oz. I have been using it to wade fish for speckled trout, redfish, and floun...

Awesome reels! I would love to see them on the rods. I bet I would have a heart attack.

Awesome!! Congratulations!!!

I just saw the first picture and had to post this picture of a reel I painted. It is a Chronarch 50mg that has caught tons of fish. 99% of those fish in saltwater. I am sorry the picture is terrible, but it is the only one on my computer. http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/gordoleo/IMG00370_zpsc...

I do not have much experience with most of the reels that have been mentioned, but from my experience, the Curado 300 would work perfectly. I have also heard great things about the Revos. Either one of those 2 would be a huge upgrade in the power department compared to your Smoke. Even the old Curad...

After seeing how awesome yours came out. I have some work to do. Great job!

I have been using a Core 50mg7 since they came out, and have not had any problems. I use them for wadefishing for speckled trout and redfish here in Texas. This is my biggest fish to date on my Core. It weighed approximately 40lbs, and took a couple of hours to land. It would have been much less tim...

It handles the full oz Super Spooks very well :shock: :shock: I would absolutely sh!t a brick trying to throw an ounce on that light and expensive of a blank. :lol: :lol: You've either got deeper pockets or bigger cajones (or both) than me dude. I'm assuming your jig w/ shrimp is approx 1/8th ? Rea...

can you tell us a little more detail? i.e. setup, apps, lure weight range etc. I'm looking at this blank and just want to know all I can before I spend that much on a blank.[/quote] I might not be much help for you, as I will be using this rod for lures outside of its range. I will be using it to wa...

I just built one of these, and while I did not measure the power, I agree with the comparisons. I actually like the fact that it is not an Xfast taper. I have fished it for a little while this week, and the casting distance, sensitivity, and balance are incredible. I will post pictures and my review...

I was only able to go to the show for a few minutes, but I was able to meet Vince and feel the new blanks. He knows more about rods and blanks than I will ever know, and it was truely a pleasure to talk to him. He also let me have a sneak peak at some new technology that will come out at ICAST. All ...