The offshore rod building world just got a serious upgrade. American Tackle has officially released its new Saltwater Guide Kits, giving builders a streamlined way to outfit rods with specifically designed guide trains engineered for demanding saltwater applications. Designed for strength, durability, and reliability, these new kits take the guesswork out of guide selection while ensuring every build is ready to handle heavy drag pressures, braided lines, and the harsh marine environment.
Alongside the new guide kits, Mud Hole is raising the bar with the launch of its new Saltwater Rod Kits featuring MHX X-Fighter blanks paired with American Tackle Virtus guide sets. These kits bring together proven offshore blanks and advanced guide technology into complete, performance-driven packages for spinning and conventional applications. Whether you’re building for big-game offshore battles or pushing your next custom rod to the limit, these new releases mark an exciting step forward for serious saltwater rod builders.
The Guide Kits
First things first, we have a complete line of saltwater guide kits in both spinning and conventional versions. These are not just regular guides in bigger sizes, these kits utilize the Virtus family of guides from American Tackle, designed specifically for saltwater rated rods.
The entire Virtus line of guides is engineered to cover the full spectrum of saltwater and heavy-duty rod building, from lightweight performance to true unlimited-class power. Starting with Virtus Light guides for inshore and light offshore applications and progressing through heavier-duty models, each design delivers strength, corrosion resistance, and secure ring retention where it matters most. At the top end, Virtus Unlimited guides are built to withstand extreme drag pressures and big-game battles, offering uncompromising durability for the toughest fish that swim.
Mud Hole has developed six purpose-built kits in total, including four conventional options and two spinning kits, designed to cover a wide range of offshore applications. From versatile 20–60lb class builds to heavy-duty kits rated for up to 200lb line, there’s a solution for every level of offshore fishing.
Like other American Tackle guide kit collections, each kit is organized by specific rod lengths and includes suggested guide spacing to eliminate guesswork during the build process. This thoughtful approach makes it easier for builders to achieve consistent performance and professional results, whether they’re tackling their first offshore rod or refining a seasoned big-game setup.
The Saltwater Rod Kits
New to the Mud Hole lineup, these offshore rod kits are available in both spinning and conventional configurations and are application-specific to meet the relentless demands of serious saltwater anglers. Designed around the proven MHX X-Fighter rod blank, each kit delivers exceptional lifting power, responsive action, and the backbone needed to control powerful offshore predators, while maintaining balance and comfort during long, hard-fought battles.
You will find kits in lengths from 5'6" up-to 7'0" and do not worry, these are not all broom sticks. In the spinning kits, we have put together an incredible 15-30lb that is perfect for live baiting or a pitch rod for sailfish and dolphin. This will be a top-seller without a doubt. To be assured anglers can outfit their offshore boats just with these kits alone, Mud Hole started at the 20-50lb and went all the way to the 60-Unlimited size of blank. All with the proper guide set and components needed to catch anything from Blackfin to Black Marlin.
Speaking of components, these kits are equipped with the appropriate American Tackle Virtus Guides for each application. From the Virtus Light models through the Unlimited series, the Virtus family delivers professional-grade strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and the patented Ring Lock® system to securely retain ceramic inserts under heavy loads and high-drag pressure. EVA grips round out the build by providing reliable comfort and control in wet conditions, while keeping overall rod weight to a minimum.
Rounding out the build is the American Tackle POSI-LOCK® aluminum reel seat, ensuring your spinning reel stays rock-solid when the pressure is on, along with a durable American Tackle gimbal for added stability in a belt or rod holder. To add that extra custom touch, Mud Hole has made sure to include all eight colors of the Posi-Lock seat options in the kit. Together, these components create a newly released offshore spinning kit designed to deliver confidence, durability, and performance when targeting dolphin, tuna, wahoo, amberjack, billfish and other hard-fighting offshore species.
Getting Rigged Up
I do want to throw in a few notes about some of my favorite reels and line for these kits.
As I mentioned before, the 15-30lb in the spinning kit is a favorite of mine. For this build, whether you are using it as a pitch rod or fishing for big tarpon the Shimano Saragosa in the 8000 SW size is my choice. It allows for close to 400 yds of 30lb braid or still gives you over 300yds if you want to fish 40lb braid. From there, I opt for anywhere between 40-60lb Yo-Zuri H.D. Carbon Disappearing Pink Fluorocarbon Leader.
For the lighter conventional kits, I do not think there is a better reel for the money than the Shimano TLD. You save a little weight from the all-aluminum big game reels but for your 20-50lb conventional, there isn't a better reel for the money. Any of my big-game conventional stuff will be spooled with monofilament as well as my heavier trolling leaders are made from monofilament as well. The Momoi Hi-Catch Nylon Monofilament Leader material comes in 80 to 200lb test and in a 100yd coil. The good news is Mud Hole's full service tackle shop can take care of that for you. So, order your rod building kit and your reel, line, leader and all. We will get it shipped out spooled and ready to go.
Once we make the jump to the heavy trolling rods, the 50lb class and above, nothing beats the Shimano Tiagra 2-Speed big game reels. These have been designed for absolute reliability under pressure, it features Shimano’s advanced hydrothermal drag system, which maintains smooth, consistent drag performance even during long runs and hard-fought battles. A good rule of thumb is to spool the reel with the size of the monofilament that corresponds to the reel size. So, if it is a Tiagra 50W it will hold just under 1,000yds of 50lb. Depending on what you are chasing, some opt to upsize the line and jump to 80lb on the 50W which will give you about half the capacity at 550yds. There is not really a right or wrong, but just passing along the info.
