Looking for help comparing the CE line and the RCLB line; specifically the CE900 Mag and Mega vs the RCLB810l and 810ml; one of these will be mated to a lexa 400 with 50# braid and 25-30# short topshots for kelp paddy and island fishing. Should be able to cast 3/4 oz. to 2-3 oz. lures and flyline sardines. Good info on the UC line but how about the Rainshadow line?

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Originally posted by Tim K.:
Looking for help comparing the CE line and the RCLB line; specifically the CE900 Mag and Mega vs the RCLB810l and 810ml; one of these will be mated to a lexa 400 with 50# braid and 25-30# short topshots for kelp paddy and island fishing. Should be able to cast 3/4 oz. to 2-3 oz. lures and flyline sardines. Good info on the UC line but how about the Rainshadow line?

The main noticeable difference between the blanks will be the action. The RCLB's are extra fast while the CE's are moderate or moderate-fast at most. In practical terms that usually means the RCLB will fish topwater stickbaits and poppers better, since a stiffer rod is required to cast them and work them on the surface. The CE's will be better for flylining live bait since they have a softer action so they can load up more to launch the bait without ripping the hook out.

Once you do hook a fish with whatever you're using they will also behave differently. The CE's will bend more, which will give you more leverage and put less pressure on you but in turn that also puts less pressure on the fish as well. The RCLB's will bend less, since the rod shuts off farther away from you a foot of movement on your part is several feet of movement of the tip and line so you will put more pressure on the fish this way. You will put more pressure on the fish and the fish will put more pressure on you as well, so it will be a more difficult fight that may not last as long vs an easier fight that lasts longer.

Elaborating more on the action, the type of line you use can also impact which rod you might choose. Since the RCLB is a faster action rod, it will be less forgiving, it will not absorb as much shock. This makes it harder for fishing straight braid to a short leader of fluorocarbon, because braid doesn't stretch and fluoro stretches very little so there is nothing to absorb shock. Ideally you would want to use the RCLB with a reel that has a minimum of 30 yards of mono on it to act as a shock absorber, the stretch will help out a lot to keep you from pulling hooks or breaking knots when a fish decides to pull harder. The UC will bend more and act as a shock absorber so it is ideal for straight braid to fluoro "kelp cutter" setups. Since you're fishing the islands and kelps I would recommend the CE over the RCLB, at least for the reel and line you described. For offshore or open water party boat fishing I could definitely make the case for getting an RCLB instead, in those cases you see a lot more guys running mono for ease of use.

Apart from that they are similar in style, both are E-Glass & Graphite composites. The CE's make use of the dual helix technology UC is famous for, this puts it ahead of the RCLB's as far as performance. The RCLB's are great blanks as well, and are very tailored to specific applications which is what Rainshadow is famous for.
Hope that gives you some ideas.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sergey,

UC = USA MADE
RainShadow = China manufacture

Sergey provided extensive action related information. His academic background and brain certainly expose themselves. He provided as complete and answer as I can imagine. Sure glad he's working me out of a job, y'all should be too! The guy is awfully sharp.