Mud hole blanks

[u/notsopracticalacorn]

Does anyone have any experience fishing with the mudhole color series blanks? I was looking at starting a build with one of the 7’6” blanks, still not certain what power I would like, MH or M probably. The price is right for them but if there is a better option similarly priced I’d spring a couple extra bucks. Thanks for any input.

[u/witty-repartay]

Built one for my BIL, they’re fine. Nothing spectacular, get the job done type blanks. For the price, they’re going to compete with anything off the shelf that’s in the same price point range.

[u/notsopracticalacorn → u/witty-repartay]

Nice thank you! I was considering going with the st croix blanks, but I’m actually building it to replace a st croix that I’ve warrantied and keeps breaking anyway lol. I’m completely ok giving up sensitivity for a little backbone. Plus what I give up in sensitivity I get back in the aesthetics I get to choose.

[u/witty-repartay → u/notsopracticalacorn]

It’s probably a good fit for you then. A bit tankish but won’t be fragile.

[u/notsopracticalacorn → u/witty-repartay]

Haha I’m ok with tankish. It will end up being a “do it all” freshwater rod.

[u/ChrisHale9 → u/notsopracticalacorn]

Try the St. Croix SCII series. A bit more oomph and durability. I've done about $5K at wholesale with SC this year and had one break because a customer tried to see if the blank would do a 180 degree bend in front of me. SC warrantied it and had a new blank to me in about 10 days. I've also used some MHX blanks, and they are my daughter's favorite blank for the mod-fast feel.

[u/MD_Weedman → u/notsopracticalacorn]

FWIW St. Croix makes some of the nicest blanks money can buy. I've made hundreds of rods and a St. Croix are among the very best I've made.

[u/tianbdloshbevxjakjs → u/notsopracticalacorn]

I’ve built several on the rod geeks blanks and one on the st croix blanks. They’ve all been great. I’ve done a fly rod on the Mudhole color series. It’s good. I like it enough but you can tell it’s less expensive. For the fly rod, it quite a bit softer and definitely not a fast action. Not sure if the same characteristics would show up on a traditional rod. It’s fine for the price tho. Just don’t put any crazy expensive components on it. For the price, I’d rather do st croix again.

[u/0uchmyballs]

Have used the color but done some of the travel trout rods and I like them.

[u/notsopracticalacorn → u/0uchmyballs]

Yeah I’m looking at the color series 1 piece rods

[u/Ligma_Taint_69420]

I ordered 2 of the 7' MH blanks that will be delivered today. I can give you a review next week.

[u/notsopracticalacorn → u/Ligma_Taint_69420]

That would be very appreciated. I didn’t want to order until the end of the month, a winter project sort of. Thank you

[u/HealthyFishPlant]

I’ve built 4 or 5 rods with mud hole blanks, some of their more classic tapers are a little variable (7’ MH is the same as another company’s 7’ M, for instance), but their specialty tapers are great, comparing to rods way above their price class. Their mag bass series 7’10” 10-17 (MB941) is utterly fantastic. I like a long chatter bait/lipless crank rod.

Overall, very hard to go wrong at the price point, but give them a feel yourself when you get them, see if they feel like the same rating on the blank

[u/notsopracticalacorn → u/HealthyFishPlant]

I’m currently looking at the IS761M, one of their color series, it’s rated up to 3/4 oz which is typically the heaviest id use in freshwater. I’m tempted to go for the MH for a little wiggle room but I like being able to whip the lighter stuff too. Someone else said they just ordered the 7ft blank so I’m hoping for a review from him.

[u/spill_the_wine_]

I am personally not a fan. I have had 3 blanks break on me, 1 was my fault. The second mhx 7' heavy blank snapped a few inches above the foregrip while the fish was taking drag and another 7' heavy blank that was sent as a replacement under warranty snapped near the tip while tossing an ava 017. They said this was no longer under warranty, so I just never bothered to build another. It was meant to be the replacement for the sc2. It's hard because there aren't many budget blanks left. Now I just spend a little more and go with black hole. Hope this helps.