HI GUYS,
I was thinking of building a rod with a United Composites CX54XO blank, the rod is rated 80-130 pounds. In your opinion, how many pounds can I really push my drag before the blank collapses or worse breaks?
If I remember correctly this Blank is built with a moderate action, could it therefore also be suitable for the use of short leaders as it better absorbs the fight of the fish in Stand Up? any opinion and opinion on the matter is welcome!!!
Mexican Gulf
I have to fish with a resistance range from 0 to 38 lbs maximum, my concern is in case of extreme conditions with a big BFT tuna in the final stages of the fight... and with a resistance close to 38 lbs full I would not want the blank to give in
Usually a good rule is 1/3 the higher number of the range. A 15-30# blank can safely do 10# of drag, etc. so I'd say that would be good for 43# of drag by that math. But I'm not expert and I've never been near one of those blanks IRL.
80-130 blank is recommend line test not the weight it can lift and depend how many guides and position of the guides .A ultra light rod rated 2-6 lbs line can't even lift 1 lb fish
That is a 100# blank, the rule of thumb for setting drags is 1/4-1/3 of the line strength at strike. A proper cam profile should give you 50% of line strength at full but most do not. This blank SHOULD handle at least 50# of drag leaving you with a 12# safety margin.
Could be best you speak to folks who have actually used that blank in anger. They would be the best people to recommend drag settings, fishing applications etc. If it's a West Coast blank BDoutdoors is probably the best forum. Or try to contact UC themselves.