Ok let's talk blanks.

[Got Stripers]

I might direct this more to those that have fished with me and also have experience in building. I'll be honest, if I never had to leave the comfort of the bow of my boat, I don't think I'd need anything new. I am however enjoying the get togethers and fishing with some new friends and that means shore fishing at times. First let me say I still have a desire to fish primarily my same style, my same baits, with maybe some modifications to the weight or going to jig heads to gain some distance. I don't want heavy blanks, because for me to fish my baits correctly, it means slack line and I need a sensitive blank to work in junction with the spiderwire so I feel strikes immediately.

Having said that, let me start with the blank I used for a long time, a Lamiglass GLB841M. Although it was sufficient, in retrospect the recommendation to use it was wrong, simply because it was a moderate action. The 3/4 to 2-1/4 oz lure weight and 20# line rating were fine, but the moderate action isn't really what I should have been using. That said, I switched to a Lamiglass GW84ML, which was rated for 10-17 line and lures from 3/8 to 3/4 oz. I think the key for me is the 6 tip and .535 butt as I look longer. That's been my weapon of choice for the last couple of years. Now I'm looking for something that will get me some more distance off the beach, jetty or canal but not give up too much sensitivity. Obviously, I'm talking longer and with more backbone for what I hope might be better fish and possibly heavier current. What I don't want to build is a "canal" or "chunking" or a "light plugging" stick, but something that might get me by at all three.

Remember, I'm not likely to use this except for the spring and fall. It's got to be a "jack of all trades" stick, so I don't feel so undergunned at some of these flings, but I still want my light weight, fast action and sensitive graphite. I'm looking at a few and wonder if anyone has any experience with any of the following.

Lami GLB961M, 8 foot, fast action, 3-4-2 1/4, .615 butt/6 tip
Lami GLB1021MH, 8.5 foot, fast action, 3/4-3, .676 butt/7 tip
Lami Ron Arra XRA1083, 9 foot, ??? action, 3/8 to 2 1/4, .730 butt/7 tip
Loomis Magnum Taper Hot Shot Series HS1021GL2, 8.17 feet, 3/8-4 oz, X-fast action, .620 butt/5 tip
Loomis ditto above but 2 piece, HS1023GL2, 8.5 feet, 1/2-5 oz, X-fast actoin, .630 butt/5.5 tip

I'm curious what guys think. Like something I can fish my plastics with and still pick up a soft strike with some slack line out, but still be versitle enough to maybe throw on a 3 oz smiling bill and chuck out into the canal with Slipknot some night or a live eel at one of our tournaments.