But there has always been one blank that I missed the boat on over the years, and only was lucky enough to get my first one less then a decade ago. As Ralph RODWINDER said to me today, this is the little brother of the MB 1143 F that is the gold standard here. The blank....the MB 963 E
For some reason the MB 963 E was not a blank that was overly promoted at the old MIKES TACKLE here in Sheepshead Bay. Between the 1143F, Mikes Special and other more popular Lamiglas blanks, the MB 963 E was seen as more of a specialty blank, then one that could be used across the whole spectrum of inshore fish we catch in this area.
The action can be described as a faster taper, shutting off a little past 1/3rd of the way down. The weight though unlike the thicker walled MB 1143 F or MB 965, is much lighter. The tip action though is pretty sensitive, more so then of its cousin the MB 963 M. The 'E' designation give this one blank a unique sensitive tip area, yet has the power in the rear of the blank to pull in the biggest inshore fish here.
I first learned about the MB 963 E from my good buddy Perry who made this one rod his favorite party boat Bonita and albacore stick. He loved that rod so much that he would only use it for fishing for the little tunny with diamond jigs. The stick had a 11 tip, with a short extended butt giving it a 7'6" length.
Another more noted fishermen, used his all the time chunking and dunking for striped bass. Red who is probably the most noted rod and reel fishermen out of the Bay, had Jack the Greek make this stick with a 12 tip and extended butt and cork grips, to give it an over all length of 7' 6".
I was fortunate a number of years back to get a hold of a few MB 963 E blanks that were laying around the factory from Al the Rod Professor. Oh, I guarded those 2 blanks with my life and had Ralph make me a 12 tip which I use all the time and was last used landing a 40 lb bass.
Recently though, Ralph said "remember you gave me this blank 6 years ago.....well here you go".
It has come full circle as Ralph made an incredible 10 tip MB 963 E that stands 7"6" that is going to be put to good use over the coming years, God willing.
The reason for this little discussion over the MB 963 E is to make everyone aware to not miss this blank if it becomes available. I now have 3 which I would never part with...not only are they comfortable to use for almost all the inshore species, it fishes like no other blank that I know of.
Thanks to Ralph RODWINDER.....it now has a good home!
