I'm with Bassmaster. Those Batson blanks cast and fight fish well, and a custom built on one won't run much more than a factory Tica.
Mike T and CMS both build on Batson blanks and retail them at great prices. I have nothing against Charlie at CMS, but Mike sponsors this site and Charlie doesn't
Also, Mike carries the Tica rods, so you could do a side by side comparison of them against one of the Batson's he has waiting for pick-up and see which one you prefer.