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Please yourself with your work first as we are our own worst critics. If your friends like it, and they probably will, then that’s great. If not, it’s their loss. I built a rod from a $15 blank from mudhole, a house brand blank, and it’s an ultralight with a pretty parabolic action. Softer in The lower portions than I really care for but it does a fine job. All in at about $75. They have other blanks similarly priced that have different actions and may better suit your needs. Do your homework, it pays off later.
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The mudhole hmx light freshwater blanks aren't bad and are lower in price. They are a thin walled blank so not the strongest but for the price point not to bad, just don't high stick them. Blanks in the 2-6 line class blanks cast a 1/16oz well. A 4-10 line class will work well also if you like a stiffer rod. Most of the rods I build are 4-6 or 4-10 pound line class but I personally like the 1-5 or 2-6 line class blanks.