It was only early production K2's that had the breakage issues. I've broken quite a few myself as well. I heard from a credible source that Phenix has fixed the issues (not really sure it it was a bad batch or what). For what's it's worth, I haven't broken one in years.

Sorta outside the box, and for pretty much anything else, I wouldn't recommend MHX.... But, I've found that the high mod popping blanks are great for jerkbaits. I haven't found a blank I like better. I have the old version, but I believe the new version is in the Elite-X series. NP-842 to be exact ...

Looking for blank recommendations for 3.5-6g (1/8 - 3/16oz) jerkbaits for trout. It'll be a spinning setup with 3-4lb mono or fluoro. 7'-7'6" Fast. I'll most likely lean toward higher end blanks. So far, I'm looking at Phenix K2 TX-712L-S-B. If anyone has any input on this blank or would recommend a...

Imo, K2's are pretty comparable to NRX sensitivity. There are stand outs though, like with any lineup. The 715 is the one you want for 3/8-1/2oz t-rig/jigs. It's pretty comparable powerwise to a 844 glx. Stay away from the 714. It has much less power than a 843 glx. The 764 sees a bump in power, the...

Most rod building epoxy will react pretty similarly imo. If I build multiple rods with different epoxy finishes, you probably wouldn't be able to tell which epoxy I used. My advice is to pick one and learn it. I use Prokote, Envirotex Lite (not marketed for rod building) and Flex Coat Ultra V. All e...

^^ used mine twice after my first post. Heaviest I used was 7.5oz with it.

If you're going up to 8.5oz, I'd look at the iRod Bailey's swim 804. I feel it casts heavier baits better than the Dobyns 867, but once I reach 7-8oz, I have a different rod for those baits. The Dobyns 867 does have a softer tip. It's just not the taper I like for swimbaits, that's all.

I really enjoy my iRods. My favorite would be the 794 Large Swim, but the smaller guides are a no go for connection knots. There's the 804 Bailey's swim that has larger guides, but I haven't used mine yet. You can always check out the Phenix M1 heavy swimbait rod, the one that's rated 1-6oz (iirc). ...

Btw, I didn't think too much into it as well since the 701Mh is the heaviest 7' they make. I'm happy with the rod so far, but I just haven't used it much so time will tell.

I didn't measure rda on mine, but my PB701MHF feels more like a heavy than a mh. But I've only used it 2 or 3 times since building it, and I've heard these blanks take a little bit of time to get used to them. The weight on mine is 65.34g / 2.305oz (listed as 1.94oz on PB's site). What weights are y...

Over the years, my favorites would have to be (in no particular order): Td-ito (TD-Z) with 6.3:1 brass gears, stock or TD-Z R spool (14-16lb shooter, Senkos or spinnerbaits) Zillion Type R with 100m spool (20lb shooter, pitching jigs or 4-6" swimbaits) FX68 (Megabass T3 MX), 8.1:1 brass gears, SV100...

The NFC MB807 Blank is an awesome chatterbait blank. I see that this is an older post, but are you using the IM or HM? Btw, I'm using the iRod Genesis II 723C, the stone cold swim and vibrating jig rod. Amazing rod for chatterbaits, at least for my style. I went through a couple of higher end rods ...

I've owned both. The Stradic CI4+ is a smoother and a more powerful reel, especially under load. But the weight savings with the Soare CI4+ is noticeable. I would choose the Soare over the Stradic because of the line capacity, but I'd choose a shallow spool Stradic CI4+ (JDM) over both. Plenty of gu...

Thanks, I'll try some of those suggestions in a few days.

I'm using 20lb shooter on the 100m spool, but the line isn't the problem as all my reels with fluoro have shooter. I can do hard casts and skip with my td-z r spool and stiff fluoro.

Looking to tame my 100m spool. It's sitting in a Zillion Type R. Great spool, but things can get pretty wild at times. I've had a few trips at night where I don't stop my spool on time (before my lure hits the water), and there goes my line. I have my brakes set at 10/10, and my cast control is set ...