I got my second TUC long rod early this spring, I went and met up with John at the shop and looked over all my options and settled with an amazing rod that I still cant find 1 thing I would do different on. My newest rod started out with a 6’8″ RX8 blank. I wanted John to build me the lightest most sensitive rod possible….I went with the following options: Black REC recoil guides, split reel seat, Black EVA foam grips, Black guide wrap with dark silver accents. John weighed my finished rod at 3.05 oz., but that still had the tag on so it could be less , lol. I paired this rod up with a pflueger patriarch and talk about a sweet sweet combo. It is incredibly light and handles big fish extremely well. I have been in talks with John and will be in the market for another one when they come out with a tad longer blanks…..Thanks