Scott A

Smoothest reel I've ever held. I bought another last week and am slowly replacing my Revos. I'm not sure how they will hold up over time but we will see.

Here is one I've been working on between rod sleeve orders. The blank is from an old Berkley Bionix spinning rod (6'0" M) that I stripped down awhile back that had a busted reelseat. I've been wanting a shorter topwater rod. Most of my summertime Chattahoochee River (hence the name "Hoochee Stik") fishing is throwing to targets near the bank and cuts in rock walls so this should work great. I used #3s and a #4 Ringlock Nanolites. Not real crazy about the dark burl mix on the grip but I have a bunch of them I need to use up. I used charcoal thread with copper and silver metallic trim, no CP.

Here is the best deal I've found on them. http://swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=49 I have both the stainless and black. Shipping is very reasonable thru Swampland also.

10.2 lb, Candy Bug Big Brush Hog, 3-12-05 Chattahoochee River. Love dem Brush Hogs!!

It works very well. The BB1 blank is actually a flippin blank designed for Terry Scroggins before he went to Carrot Stix. It is a very versital blank. From what I've read many guys are using it for Carolina Rigs also. The frog bite has slowed for me so I have switched line to #17 mono and using it as a pitchin' rod with brush hogs and such. I'm seriously considering building myself a couple more.

Sweet! Where do you get your cork?

I cut 3" off the butt of the rod. Originally, it was 7'-6". Here is a link to the reel seat at the bottom of the page http://swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=34. Give Lance a call and he will hook you up and instruct you anyway he can. I have been building for friends and family only so far and haven't figured up a price list yet. I should branch out a little in the near future.

This is a frog rod I just completed. Its a Castaway BB1 cut down to 7'3", American Tackle #4 NBRLMG spiral wrapped http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d824b3127ccefa1f6d539d6300000030O00AcNHLFk3cMWYPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/' alt='ry%3D400'>

If you want to start with a cheap but good blank call Lance Dupree at swamplandtackle.com. He has a few Castaway blanks for $12. He is very good on shipping charges also.

From what I've read, some guys build on the straightest line, some use the spline. I don't think it matters hardly any.

Pointer 78, pop-r, spinnerbait

I've had the same rolling issues mentioned but only with the white toads and shad. I tried both weighted and weightless hooks to no avail. I've used the green pumpkin/pearl toads and the chart/green pumkin and they worked great. I think the white plastic is too stiff.

No that's not stupid. Sure you can. Most of my builds have been of older rods that I can't stand to part with. You can strip it to the bare graphite and leave it naked or paint it. I have an old spinning rod that I am considering re-building as a baitcaster. Note, that stripping a rod can be alot of work depending on how well it was put together.

Yes, the water-slide decals can be frustrating sometimes. What type of decal are you getting from Decal Connection (water-slides, adhesive backed). I have just started this craft and this is my third rod which took me the longest of the three. I tried to put the decal over silver met thread first and couldn't get it straight and it wouldn't move on the thread without stretching it. These are my first epoxy ramps also instead of winding checks. I had to re-do them a couple of times also.

Okay, here is the best picture I could take.

I would love to see photos of your work. FYI guys I'm a graphic designer so if anyone needs help designing a logo/decal send me a pm. I guess I need to get the camera out before these rods get broke in too good. The fish bit good this week . I have only built three so far but this works for me so far. I have some white, gold and silver adhesive backed media that Swampland sells but I haven't tried it yet. Everyone says that Rodmaker Magazine had an excellent article on "Electric Decals" a few months ago but I haven't seen it yet. Does anyone have any suggestions on good, cheap software for designing decals? MS Word doesn't have a ton of options in my opinion. I've used AutoCAD also.

I am using a HP7160 inkjet printer. I normally print a predominatly black background with some type of design (diamond plate, or some type of cool image from the internet) in it and leave my text clear so it shows up silver. I wish I had pics but I suck at photography. flechero, from Decal Connection, do you have pay a setup fee for each decal or how does that work???

I am using MS Word to design my decals. I know you could get better results with some other programs. I am printing on clear water-slide decal paper and painting the area of the blank under the decal silver before applying. I spray the decal with acrylic clear before soaking it in water. After applying and it dries, I apply two coats of ThreadMaster in lengthwise strokes. I'm not sure about the fading as Reel Mechanic stated above. My oldest rod is 3 months old but so far so good.

Try CitriStrip. I've used it on my old rods that I've rebuild and it works good.