Wondering who is in the Bay Area (Cali)? Moved back to the area from Oregon and wanted to know if there's any local builders around the area. Haven't had much time to build anything since moving, but I'm ready to get back on the saddle and was curious to see some custom builds in the area.

Good deal Matt.... Hopefully ill get a chance to go up there soon and see it in person.

On a side note it was nice meeting you Cal, sorry we couldn't put you on fish last weekend; it was too dam cold...

I would also steer you towards the 809. I have built on several 809 and balances out if you take a little off the length. The specs say minimum 1/2 on its range, but still works great with weights slightly lighter.

The grips are from NFC and there is no finish to them. I decided not to coat them for that textured feel.

Why is the photos when linked from photobucket not the original size, seems to cut off 1/3 of the pic? I notice when I posted the same pic to another site, it shows the full sized photo.

The NFC blanks are great, unfortunately this one went out as soon as it was built and never had a chance to handle it with this grip setup. This particular blank (MB809) is a tad to slow for me, none the less its a great blank and is sensitive as other higher end blanks. Hopefully the member this we...

I finally got some time to mess with some carbon grips I had laying around. Turned out OK, I need to devise a better transition between the seat and the grip. The rod is built on an NFC HM MB809 blank. http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd376/Ryan_Bumagat/Rod%20Builds/NFC%20HM-Heavy/NFC%20HM%20MB80...

Id take a look at the Lamiglas CCB blanks, I have phenix, st criox, nfc, mudhole and batson crank rods and find myself going back to my Lami rod.

You are correct, the EXC722 is built on the LC862 blank.

Thats what have been going off of, had to check my terminology there. Thanks for the inputs guys.

Curious to know whats your reference point for handle length? Is your reference point butt to trigger or butt to base of the seat?

I get mine from versitex and Im pleased...

Very creative, nice work...

Where did you get LSJ840 blanks? Are they Lamiglas?[/quote]

I got them as floor stock at Lami.

I was debating one day how to build the grips on a Fuji SKSS and decided not to put any grips and its actually is the most comfortable spinning rod I fish. Also heres another with a Pac bay Minima seat.