So……
I have two. For lines, right now, I like the high viz Flipp the best. The 8wt head is +1 heavy with a thin running line. The rod will chuck some line. I tried a 9+ on it, but I think the running line weight was too much and it fell apart past 50 For me. Most of my casting is site fishing marsh reds, so no long casts are needed. I wanted it to load quick for those 20 footers.

Now for the heresy part. One blank was for a friend who didn’t like casting the first one I completed. He is a graphite guy and couldn’t get past “noodle”. The 8-6” has a pretty high swing weight and it was bothering my shoulder (typical old broken dude parts, need a shoulder replacement), so in wth fashion and a 75 dollar blank, I cut a foot off the butt section giving it a short Banty butt. I like the shorter version much more. I’m not sure how much lifting power I lost, but the blank has a ton. For fishing, the swing weight isn’t noticeable, but practicing with it, absolutely.

I liked the shorter one so much, I bought one of Shane’s 7-6” Trout Brute blanks in a 7wt. I haven’t wrapped it yet, so no comparison.

I have one in the bright green that I plan to build this winter for bass in my home lake. Looks and feels like a nice blank.
Mike B

Think it will be great for bass

Man! Sounds like just about everyone here has one to build. Hopefully they all turn out great.

You’ve probably seen my posts on this blank, but my conclusion is I like it for saltwater, but not so much for bass bugging.

I finished one over the winter. Built it with salt safe components with the intention of using it primarily for Northern Pike, and hopefully saltwater use.
I've fished it once and generally liked it. Right now I have a SA Frequency Magnum 7wt line on it, which is a 200gr line. It seemed to turn over the wire leader and pike fly pretty well.