Hastings Blanks

[stevos]

After building up a NV7 for my girlfriend a while back I have finally got jeolous and am goin to make myself a decent b/c light reef and barra rod. She put a curado on hers and I picked up a HRF to go on the new beast so I need a stick that is worthy of showing her up. I at least need a hotter rod because she keeps outfishing me!

Anyway, I have heard good things through here regarding the Hasting GUSA blanks and am wondering if anyone will recommend a model that would be suitable? Am thinking the 603 or 604DHX.

Cheers,

Steve

[B_E_N]

sorry to steal your topic but also on the gusa balnks i see mudhole dont have the colour option anymore, does anyone know why this is also.
also where can they be purchased in colours, at about same prices?

[wheezer]

i wouldn't bother buying Hastings blanks from o/s. there is a local distributor who carries a huge range and offers great advice and backup. you get a lifetime warranty on the GUSA stuff and 3 years on the United range. not to mention there are a number of blanks in the range that have been designed exclusively for australia and are not available elsewhere. i can't imagine the headache and cost involved if i had to send a blank back to the states....

as far as blank recommendations, i have the 2 blanks you mention, but i think there are better blanks for your application. In the GUSA range, the 605DHX has just been released. like many other blanks offered by the local distributor, it is an australian exclusive, designed for our conditions. It is based on the 604 but has more power in the butt. I am about to build one for impoundment fishing. I had a play with the sample at the recent AFTA trade show, feels the same in the tip as the 604 but when you put it into its working curve it loads quicker with more grunt...nice! weight difference is negligible

Otherwise in the United series, consider the UR60XH or UR60XXH-L. I have the latter and it is an excellent big barra casting blank. also can't go wrong with either of those 2.

previous to switching to Hastings blanks i had an NV7 and while it is a nice blank for the money, there really is no comparison to the Hastings stuff IMO. the Hastings blanks are more reactive and responsive

[craftycarp]

I agree buy it locally. The distributor is a nice guy and backs up his products 100%. He has an aussie only colour so he knows if they have come through him or not. If you have bought an aussie blank and you have a problem it will be hours or at most a few days turn around for a new blank (not that I have had any problems with any of the hastings range. You dont save all that much buying it from mudhole get it locally instead.

[stevos]

So who is this mysterious local distributor for the Hastings blanks? I have seen them through a few retail stores in Aus and the markup (compared in the very least to the retail price in the US, let alone the wholesale rate I image they would get) is pretty hefty.

In terms of after-sale service, rod warranties confuse me a little... Perhaps someone can correct me, but surely there must be a 'reasonable use' that is only covered?? If so how do they distinguish an honest claim from one involving misuse.

Anyway, back to my original q. Wheezer, you brought up the United Series. Do you think that the GUSA series is worth the extra outlay? Do they deliver all that much more?

[wheezer]

local importer is GCCR tackle services based on the gold coast, they have a website with blank listings and you can email them. They are wholesale only but can direct you to a retailer. When you factor in the cost of shipping a blank from the states and the chance that it isn't what you wanted/ faulty or you need to make a claim down the track then it isn't worth it. Not to mention they have a very close relationship with the Hastings factory and are able to offer a number blanks designed exclusively for the australian market.

Personally i love the GUSA series, and with the 605DHX its hard to imagine a better impoundment casting blank for extended sessions. The main difference between GUSA and United is the United range use a fiberglass scrim on the innder wall which increases hoop strength further, with a slight weight and response penalty. Makes them a little more durable. But with the dual helix design the GUSA range is as bombproof as they come for a high end high modulus blank. You really do notice the reactiveness or response of a GUSA blank over anything else when casting, and the United series is not far behind. I would say go for either the GUSA 605DHX or United UR60XXH-L and you will not be disappointed. I go for a GUSA blank where I can, and go United otherwise

[stevos]

Cheers mate,

Appreciate all of the advice. I dont disagree with you regarding the quality of after-sales service in Aus over that from the states.

Steve