Which Hastings Blank???

DJO · #1 16-08-2009, 03:56 AM

Hi All,

Ive been procrasinating for a while about making a new rod, and have finally decided to go for it. Ive got a bit of spare time coming up in a couple of weeks, so a new light bream rod sounds good to me. I have seen a couple of hastings rods made up, but the handles, and guides didnt really do them justice. I like the specs of the blanks though.

I am leaning towards the P-UR70UL, P-UR70XL, and the P-UR700L. Im not sure which one to choose. I suppose i will spend lots of time using the rod with plastics, and surface lures.

My current fav rod is a GL3 SR842-2 Loomis, shortened 100mm from the tip.

Any help, or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Des

crusty · #2 16-08-2009, 06:29 AM

I have the P-ur70UL, and its a fantastic rod. Light, but plenty of butt end power too. Handled some 3kg trevally that crunched my poppers on the rock walls without feeling undergunned. I use it for both plastics and light hardbodies. Cast the light weights really well.

StuKlose · #3 16-08-2009, 06:51 AM

I have just finished a build on an XP-7L that turned out great. I also have a couple of the 700DHX blank ready to be built on and they look good to but they are quite a bit pricier than the Pioneer range. I have a P-UR700L that was built by someone else and i love it.

Just for interest, i am just about to epoxy a samurai premium BCR203 and it weighs a miniscule 104grams before epoxy.

Hotrods · #4 16-08-2009, 09:10 AM

from what your asking for id say either the 70UL or the newer 700-UL, leaning toward the latter.
the XL is a medium taper and wont punch out a decent cast over mid range...

i swear bythe 700-UL as a suface rod, it casts a mile and has just enough give in the tip to work the lues not rip them out of the water...

BlackBreamer · #5 16-08-2009, 09:42 AM

Dhx Gusa's are the shhheit

Shortlite · #6 16-08-2009, 11:03 PM

Chopped 100 mm off the tip on that 2 pce Loomis? Killed it for throwing lighter stuff then.

The DHX GUSA's are nice blanks, very strong, sensitive, but a touch heavy and thicker walled. Haven't used the Pioneers, but all feedback is pretty damn good, and the new models sound like absolute RIPPERS!!!

The Samurai Premiums...... jury's out till I get a feel of one. Like the Pioneers, on paper they look good, but not getting heaps of feedback on them.
Probably wll be trying out a Pioneer 700L sometime in the near future.

DJO · #7 19-08-2009, 02:47 AM

Hello Again,

Thanks for the replys. Its tricky making the choice without feeling the blank in my own paws. Ive used the reaction Samurais, and they feel great, however i would prefer a different handle arrangement, and a set of Recoil guides. Im being picky, but for $500 i can make a rod that is really specific.

About the loomis. The tip was unintentionally busted off whilst fishing for bass in heavy timber. I was going to immediately "expedite" it, but continued using the rod over the same weekend, and then other fishing trips too. I just havent bothered yet!

I will post some pics of my progress, when it all happens

Thanks again Des