[coho_killer]

I just seen a few posts on these rods and was looking for a bit of input on them. I hear these rods are in compairison to g- loomis rods can any one confirm?
i also hear that they come in sage green color too! To be honest i just like the name of these rods and am looking to purchase one but don't have the slightest idea on where to start! I know i don't want to use sites like ebay been ripped off more than once so that site is a joke to me! I'm looking for somewhere local to get one! I also think this rod if they make them, will be my first pin rod and hopfully only pin rod! i beleave these rods have a lifetime warrenty as well so thats a bonus! :thumbup: i'll do a bit of research on my own but i am looking for input from anyone whop uses these rods! Thanks


CK

 

[professori]

CK - Rainshadow makes rod blanks, I don't believe you can buy rainshadow rods. I know Riverside Fly and Tackle has a rod builder who builds on these blanks. I also met a builder from Iowa a couple of years ago, who told me he had stopped building Sage rods and switched to Rainshadow as he felt the price to quality ratio was better. Here is the home page: http://www.batsonenterprises.com/

 

[flyguy]

check out stryker rods. They build rainshadow. DMW(formerly known as bigsteel) had one built by them. I do not think it is a life time warranty. I believe it is only a 1 year.

 

[professori]

Rainshadow Blanks have a limited lifetime warranty. They will replace any blank "should failure occur due to defects in materials or workmanship (to be determined by Batson Enterprises™)". If you step on your rod, slam it in the tailgate of your truck, or snap the tip off docking the boat you are S.O.L..

 

[charles]

I have been using and getting rainshadow rods for a few friends here now; including 1 build (Rx7) as a CP rod. I used to use a RX7 matt finish (alson comes with sage green color) casting rod ist1264 and found the action a bit slow to my liking. Now that I received my RX8 XST1264 titanium chrome finish, I only had one chum on it since I have had it after the sesaon. The action is fast and it is very much like my GLoomis but lighter in weight. In fact, it is lighter that a CT 2106 Sage.

Other people are right. it is a blank you can purchase and have someone to build it for you. And it does have 1 year warranty from Rainshadow. They will replace your blank but you will have someone to rebuild it for you.

You can see the worksmanship on mine if you decide to check it. I like it better than the talon blank myself.
Just my 2 cents; Rx8 is a bit fast to use as a CP rod. My friend did like the Rx7 as CP rod. The action is in between CP 2106 and 3113 according to him.

 

[steeliefreak]

I have atleast a half dozen Rainshadow blanks tied into float rods, they are nice blanks. If you are looking for a longer float rod check out the spey blanks. I have a couple of the 13 ft 8/9wts and they work good for using leaders in the 8-15lb range. The 13ft 7wt is a good rod for 6-12lb leaders. I currently am having a 13'6 8wt RX7 built and cannot wait to try it out. If you are looking for a lighter rod the 13ft float blank makes a nice stick, it is good for light leaders and smaller flows. For larger waters such as the Thompson or Skeena you might want to check out the 14ft 9wt spey blank.

 

[Float Fisher]

I broke one and it was replaced with no questions. Great Service, and great rods.

Call Russ at Stryker Rod and Reel

http://www.rodandreel.ca/

There is the link. I buy all my conponents from him.

 

[stsfisher]

This steelhead season I have had the pleasure of test fishing a cp rod built from the 1383F rx8 blank. It is a fast action 11' 6" 8-12lb 3/8-3/4oz rating. combined with a titanium reel seat, guides and butt all ALP'S product.
This rod has met and exceeded all of my expectations. It definitely has its days when you feel it may have been a little under powered but what do you want in a rod rated like this one. I feel that it is the perfect rod when fishing smaller systems where the loading of the rod dictates a successful day or not. In tight areas this rod loads with ease and allows good delivery control.
I look forward to running this rod during the coho season if the owner allows as I feel this is the perfect rod for them. If not i will just have to fish the one he builds for me.

 

[typhoon]

I recently bought an XST1383F and an XST1263F blank from Mark at Valley Rods to build gear rods for a couple of buddies.
The 1263 is significantly more powerful and faster action than the 1383, and will make an awesome levelwind rod.
The 1383 flexes much deeper into the lower section and should be perfect for centerpinning, though I agree that it is probably light for fish over 15lbs (ERN = 10.0, or roughly comparable to a 8-9wt single handed fly rod).
The finish on these blanks is beautiful. I'm looking forward to trying them out in the fall.