I tried to order a Loomis ST 1082 blank today and learned that Loomis is having problems and will not deliver 2 piece blanks until July. I have heard some of you speak highly of Rainshadow blanks. Before I order the blank I thought I might as well ask how ya'll thought it would compare with the Loomis. Or there something better that I don't know about?

I think the XST line of rainshadow blanks are wonderful products. Strong, sensitive, and durable, in my opinion they represent a better value than G. Loomis. I would compare the XST graphite to GL2 in strength, and somewhere between GL3 and IMX in sensitivity. Probably a touch closer to the GL3 end of the spectrum, but for quite a bit less.

That being said, it's been my opinion that they are slightly underpowered for their ratings.... Not a criticism, just an observation. I'd look at an XST 1083, but then again it might be easier to make a recommendation if the intended purpose was known.....

rainshadow doesn't make a 1082 or 1083 in the XST(someone said it was because they would snap lighter lines, but i think that's BS because they make an 1141...).

lamiglas a 9'0" blank comparable to a GL2 1082(GSH1082L), st. croix makes a nice one as well for a little more coin(3SC90MLF2).

my bad, i've only fished w/ the xst1084, and just assumed they made 2's & 3's. my experience that the power comment was based on had to do with 1141's, 1021's, and 1264's.

now that you mention it, he didn't even say xst........

and you're right about the light line gig. I've seen quite a few 20 lb. class steelhead to the boat on xst1141's and 8 lb. leaders....

RAINSHADOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Peace
Fly

Thanks fellas. I am looking for a good all around steelhead rod for drifitng corkies/eggs on medium/large rivers from a DB. Does that help to recommend a rod? I will be using a graphite handle. If you have never used a graphite handle you are missing out. It is like playing in a different league. The sensitivity is amazing. They do cost alot though. The 1141 rods I have used seemed like a noodle. Do they really have the power to handle larger fish?

We have lots of pro Rainshadow users on this site. I personally have a RX-7 (1 step below XST) 1082 made up as a spinning rod & whould rate it close to a Loomis Gl-3.

Let us know how/what your going to fish with it, & we can make a recommendation.......


c/22

I will put a Curado bait caster on it and will be fishing pencil lead, cheaters, double 4 hooks, and eggs. Anything else?

Oh, you slipped that while I was posting. I'm not a fan of the 1141 rods, thou some guys love that action & take big fish on them as well.

As your looking for a fast action rod....I whould go for a 9' XST 1084 rated for 8-12 lb., if you want more power the 10-17 lb. XST 1085 blank will be out in July/Aug....




c/22

a 1141 is a great "boat" side drifting rod. but to soft as a good bank rod. the 1143 is my chosen weapon from shore. rainshadow for sure.

yep, 1084 or 1143 in xst.

Rod Blank Model # Rainshadow XST1084
Butt cap: EVABC20
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: WHGRY-12 use with WBBC WHKA x 3 and WBTC Rear Carbon Handle set up
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GTBTG16C-11.5-TC Forecast Textured blank exposed seat
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: WFG2.5 , WFGFC , WFGRC ,Wfgpb Tapered Woved for grip
Winding Check: LTCWC425
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top XTCPPZT06R05.0 Tich ss316 Alps tip top
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06 Tich ss316 recessed ring singles foot with Zirconium ring
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG07
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG08
7th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG08 SS316 Tich Light XN Alps with Zircoinum ring
8th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
9th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
10th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG12
11th guide from tip top:
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 3.75-7.75-12.25-17.25-23.5-31-39-48-58.5-70.5

Rod Blank Model # XST1143F-TC
Butt cap: evabc20
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: WHGRY-12 use with WBEC, WHKA X 3 , WBTC
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: gtbtg16c-115-tc
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: WFG2.5 USE WITH WFGFC, WFGRC, AND WFGPB
Winding Check: bwc10
Hookeeper: tchks
Tip Top XTCPPZT06r04.5
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG07
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG07
7th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG08
8th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
9th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
10th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG12
11th guide from tip top:
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 3.5-7.5-12-17-22.5-28.5-38-49-62-76

I have 2 custom Rainshadow 1142's for side drifting out of the boat & love them. Caught an 18 lb Skagit native on mine & it handled it fine. A little more backbone that the 1141"s (too noodly for me) but plenty sensitive & great action for fighting fish.

Man, now I'm thinking about ordring one, Stop it!

I have xst 1141's, ist1142's, and some xst1143's. The "noodly" issue usually stems from overweighting the rod.

For side-drifting with light slinkies the xst1141 is amazing. it doesn't feel "noodly" at all when it's loaded to the cork on a nice fish. my boat saw at least 2 steelhead over 20 lbs this year, bested via 1141's. Right Jake?

i like the 1142 but it's not as sensitive since it's in rx7.

the xst1143 is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile side-drifting rods available. it handles the heavier slinkies way better than the 1141, but due to excellent sensitivity it can still more than adequately fish lighter weights.

all the above are best suited for side-drifting, which as i'm sure b.lade you're probably aware is drift-fishing from a moving platform. if you're more into the anchor up and pound it scene i'd go w/ the xst1084, but that's just personal preference, i'm not sure it's really any better suited for it than the 1143. You won't be disappointed in either of them, and the best move might just be building them both for further comparison....

Since everyone else seems to have strayed from b. lade's 1082 comparison question... I'll twentieth the recommendation for an XST 1143.

i just love the 9'6" rods. i have them in sevearal brands. i love them all, when my RS 1141 snaped i went back to the 1143. i'm a banky and have put several upper 30# kings and one 48# king on the rocks with my loomis gl3 1143... i have yet to feel under powered in using this size. i am very interested in the 1142 but have not seen of felt on yet.

I appreciate all of the advise. I wish the 1141 was made in a 9' blank. I fish from a DB and find a 9'6'' rod a bit too long in a small boat. I am also 6'4'' tall with arms like Inspector Gadget which helps. Is the Rainshadow IST1082 not sensitive enough for you or was it just that the 1141 is longer? Can ya'll recommend a good rod to float jiggs from a DB for me as well? I have begun building rods and would like to replace the crap I have been fishing with. Thanks in advance B. Lade

they do make a 1081 in the RX7 flavor, 9'0", 4-8lb

Some may get a good laugh out of this list but some find it useful as well. Check it out and add to it if you wish. Everyday we add new technique and thats why we love this industry.
ISA1026 heavy dredger, flatfish, moocher, 2-6oz.
ISA1086 heavy dredger, moocher
ISA1266 king moocher, bar plunker
ISA1355 heavy float, moocher
ISA1446 plunker
IST993 glow bug, single egg, slinky drifter, small - spoon, spinner, jig
1ST 1024 #4 (spinner rod meps) (med spoon rod) med./light side drifter slinky
1ST 1025 #5 spinner rod, med. /heavy dredger, med./heavy boon dogger
1ST 1081 light boon dogger, light side drifter
IST1084 medium ½ - ¾ oz side drifter, med. boon dogger
IST1141 light boon dogger, side drifter, light float jig rod
IST1143 med./light float rod (peg float)
IST1201 light float rod, float & fly
IST1263 med./light slide float rod
IST1264 med./heavy slide float rod, med. moocher
1ST 1265 med,/ heavy moocher
IST1382 noodle rod
1ST 1384 med. float rod (slip-on peg)
IST1562 light float rod (peg float)
HS1021F wiggle wart plugger, side drifter
HS1023F mag wart (plug), flatfish, dredger
HS1025F heavy dredger, heavy boon dogger, heavy flatfish
HS9000 hot shot rod up to size 40 or smaller, spoons
BP1024 Kwick fish, deep six,spoon plunker,down riger
IP904 Pluger, spinner chucker, jig

IST1082 Medium light boon doger and side drifter
ISA1027 Xtra Heavy all purpose King rod
ISA1087 Xtra Heavy all purpose King rod
IST1142 Medium light boon doger side drifter and jig and float
XST1141 Light boon doger, side drifter and jig and float
XST1143 Medium boon doger ,side drifter,Jig and float, slip float
XST1025 Medium heavy all purpose
XST1084 Medium all purpose
XST1263 Medium float rod
XST1264 Medium Heavy float rod

All purpose: side drifter,dredger,spoon,spinner,pluger etc….

[quote=Batson]
XST1084 Medium all purpose


All purpose: side drifter,dredger,spoon,spinner,pluger etc….


I am going to have the 1084 built for spoons and spinners for silvers and steelhead. I was wondering if this was the right rod for the duty but now I am confident that it is.

Good info here.

This is a list I compiled five years ago for a seminar I did. Feel free to add on a few new words and definitions I could use a good laugh. Like Fly dogging and Hover Fishing ETc.

TERM DEFINITION
BAIT DIVER A diving device that uses the river's current to dive the bait to the bottom. A large crank bait can be used.
BOON DOG Cast directly upstream from a boat. Use the least amount of weight possible, keeping your line above the boat, and tight at all times as the boat drifts downstream.
FLAT FISH A crescent shaped plug that dives up to 20 ft. It is used for larger species of salmon. Worden's makes it.
DEEP SIX A diving device that is trolled to bring the bait to the desired depth.
DOWN RIGGER A lead ball that weighs 10 lbs. or more and is attached to a cable. The fishing line is attached to a clip and the down rigger is lowered to the desired depth.
DREDGER Fish in deep swift river current, using 1-2 oz. lead.
GLOW BUG A single imitation salmon egg made from yarn.
HOT SHOT A small crank bait that will dive up to 8 feet. Lure Jensen makes it.
JIG A lure that is usually tied with marabou feathers. It is available in 1/2 - 3/4 oz. round lead heads. It can be fished with or without a peg float.
KWIKFISH A crescent shaped plug that will dive up to 20 feet. It is used for larger species of salmon. Lure Jensen makes it.
MAG WART This plug dives deep up to 20 feet for stained water or deeper rivers and it is also used as a bait diver.
MOOCHER Drift or slow troll. Use 5-7 foot leaders and 1-6 oz. of lead. Fish with herring or anchovies, cut plug or straight.
NOODLE ROD A rod that has soft action and is light in power. Use very light line. The rods' softness prevents even large fish from being able to break light line.
PEG FLOAT (BOBBER) Used as a strike indicator. The float stays in a fixed position.
PLUGGING It is also known as back trolling. Fish with plugs (crank baits) and let them out behind the boat up to 100 feet. Use the current to bring the lures to the bottom.
PLUNKER Fish from the bank. Use enough weight to sink to the bottom and not drift. Usually you should fish with bait like eggs, shrimp, and spin glows.
SIDE DRIFT Casting is usually done from a boat. Use the least amount of weight possible, drift with your line at 45-degree angle from the side of the boat.
SLINKY Lead balls put into hollow nylon chord. It is used as weight for drifting.
SLIP FLOAT (BOBBER) Used as a strike indicator. The float slides to the float stop.
SPINNER A lure that is usually 2-5 blade size, that weighs up to 3/4 oz. It is reeled in at the necessary speed to make the blades spin.
SPOON A lure fished in all water conditions. It is shaped like a spoon.
TAD PULLEY A crank bait that will dive up to 12 feet.
WIGGLE WART A small crank bait that will dive up to 12 feet.

Hi Karry, that's actually a Tad Polly

so your saying that a tad polly can dive deeper than a hot shot....i don't think so

MUSTARD - (packet form). It's what you give to a CORNDOG.

CORNDOG - One step above a CRACKER.

CRACKER - 90% of the fishing population.

GOAT RODEO - The attempted act to "Boondogg" on either the Cowlitz or North Fork of the Lewis.

BOOT HUNTER - One that fishes for, and keeps boot salmon.

WHATNOT - That little piece of "extra" secretive bait one puts on their hook to get easy limits of springers.

OVER ACHIEVER - A very aggressive biting fish.

GUT - Cured salmon roe.

Lasy - any guy who can't get his wife two jobs

Crap dasher - The guy who always seems to disappear to take a dump when your filling the truck with gas, sticking you with the tab

Bridge critter - That guy who is at any bridge you will ever see. He lives there

Expert - everybody is an expert

Astute observation.

I have both a 1082 and 1084 in the IMX . Love em but have been told by some they are overpriced. My next question to the people who really stand behind these Rainshadow blanks would be how many have you broken? I put my rods through some adverse treatment with no trouble so far. Warranty or not a broken rod is still down time and a pain in the azz. If I had to have a boat loaded with rods wich would be in the hands of some the worst crackers to date then , Rainshadows make an excellent choice. cost verses quanity I guess.


So to answer the question Loomis all the way for me . My .02

b. lade, go for the 9' 6". The best overall and most versitile length for all salmon and steelhead techniques of any rod make, my favorite length by far.

9'6 is the best all around length if you only fish the cowlitz. i prefer a shorter rod usually, unless i'm casting light gear long distances. a 9'6 is a pain in the ass at best in tight quarters.

I have decided to admit I am an addict and will probablly build all of the rods mentioned above. I just completed an HS9000 and will now begin the XST 1084. The XST 1141 will be next. Thank you all for your advice. B. Lade