Phenix T46 Build

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I am working on 2 Phenix blanks and I finally finished one of them. This is a K2 714MH-F. The blank came in at 3.1oz finished. I think I could have came in under 3 with cork, minus checks, but I went with what the guy wanted. I used a Castaway Super Exposed real seat, Fuji BLCAG lowrider double foot 6 & 5 & BLAG 4s to finish it out. The thread work was kept minimal with variegated black/grey , which I have no problem doing. But I did shave the grips down on my lathe and did some notch work on it. Word to the wise, I learned a lesson building these. Nylon thread will take a lot of color preserver do to the raised graphite. But here they are:

[joedog]

Nice work Bubba!

[kennethdaysale]

Beautiful rod but I'm not understanding pic #4?

[MallenManson]

Great work, Bubba!!!

[WaffleJaw]

That handle screams custom!..Especially like how you did the butt grip...Nice work Bubba!

Did you CP the vari?...I like the settle darkness to it..It compliments the T46 nicely!

[Jrob78]

Nice work Bubba. That black/gray vari is pimp! So are those low rider guides, I love they way they look. That's a ninja stealth rod, I like it!!

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Thanks fellas. Ken, if you are referring to the stretched guide, I will offer the theory behind it. The braces serve as tamers for straighter line flow. In theory, offering smoother, longer cast. I like them a lot though. It is all I will use for a double foot guide on personal builds.

I did CP the guides. The black is alright but the grey can go transparent on you.

[Possum]

Great looking stick, Bubba. I really like the guides.
Who do you use for your components and blanks?

[carolina-rig-01]

I don't hate it. In fact that might be my favorite rod that you have built. Great work buddy.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I try to keep most of my business with Swampland out of Houma, LA. But I use Mudhole on occasion when he doesn't have a certain product.

[Possum]

Thanks, I'll check Swampland out. I've used Mudhole too, but would like to find somebody with a different selection of blanks.

[boloson]

3.1 oz? wow that's got to be one of lightest rods i've ever seen. wonder how it handles on the water.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

It cast good in the yard. If I don't hear from the guy in a week or 2 I will tell you how it handles hahahahaha.

Possum, not to sound like a sales man, but Lance at Swampland is about the nicest person you will do business with. Check his site out at swamplandtackle.com . He now carries MHX sticks, along with Phenix, Castaway, Batson, Seeker, and several others. And he sends out some pretty awesome hot sauce with his orders.

[keithdog]

Dang Bubba, thats a great looking rod. I have a couple reels that would look fantastic on that rod!

[Bassboss]

Amazing work bubba! Can't believe a rod with that much bling can be so light!

[Bubba_Bruiser]

The blank showed 1.4 naked.

[DVT Mike]

Nice work. What do you think of the Phenix blanks?

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Mike, it is really crisp and light is about how I know how to explain it. It is so light in the hand, it is disgusting. The only drawback I can see is from a aesthetic point. To be so high, a lot of them are crooked as Forrest Gump's back on the end. I am over exaggerating, but they do have some turns. I went by Swampland today and discussed it with Lance Dupre. He told me that is a major complaint from all the distributors, but he said it hasn't effected the integrity any. But it will play hale on the eyes trying to line it up. I am going fishing in the morning and I am so tempted to put it in the boat! But I will refrain.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

And I can't find the thread right now, but I checked the Tour Star grips and the are equivalent to cork. The 3.5" cork and TS weighed. 25 oz and EVA was at .31 oz. It might not sounds like much, but it will add up of course over longer grips.

[hooks2bset]

Great build

[rrw4258]

Bubba, I am thinking about getting a Phenix K2 blank to have custom built, in fact the same one that you built (714 MH-F). How does it measure up to other Medium Heavy rods (stiffness, and taper?) Is it on par with a MH or does it feel softer? Just looking for a pitching rod around 7' that is super light weight, and is a MH-F. Thanks,

Ryan

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Ryan, I have built most of my rod for people on the MH-F frame. Rainshadow, Castaway, MHX, and St. Croix to name a few. As far a the rating goes, it is probably a little on the softer side of the MH action of the others. The taper is some what the same in ration to the other rods. But most rods in its class are over .5" and close to .6 at the butt. It is definitely smaller with a .44 butt / #4 tip. All I can tell as of right now is that I test casted it from 1/8-1/2 oz. I don't know how comfortable I would be maxing it out at 3/4 oz? But then again, I like to build a rod with using the weight class in the mid-range area. The K2 is rated 3/16-3/4. I didn't take plastic weight into consideration casting it either. *Note to self for next time*

[BigBassin144]

Did you do any test fishing on the T46. I'd be interested in a sensitivity report. Whenever the heck I get enough extra spending cash for a custom, I may just have to go with the T46...

Looks good by the way!

BB

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Not yet, but if I don't get any correspondence from the guy I built it for by time I get home, I will be finding out and making a report.