flechero

Thanks for the link... my ONLY complaint on the Revos was weight... soon to be addressed! I'll have a couple premiers when they come out!!

Try slowing it down. Also knot pressure is a leading cause of "lean" in a swimming bait of any kind... that's why so many crankbaits come with split rings. Tie one of the loop knots and most of that goes away... unless you are reeling too fast. I've seen Matt offer to exchange baits in the past... if it's bad, I'm sure he'll take care of you.

For you rich guys that might be ok, but I like to catch more than one fish per each bait.... ;D

Almost anything you would want... the idea of a custom is that you can (should be able to) spec it out to address whatever needs/wants you have. (within reason of course) For starters, you should get a rod that is spine oriented, the blank has been prepped, guide feet ramped and smoothed (and recolored depending on thread and CP usage) guide spacing based on static deflection (not some chart- all blanks are different) For example, you could spec out a split grip of any size/shape/material or grade of cork (maybe you have large or very small hands and standard grips are too big/small), for that matter you can get inlays or decorative trim work in the cork. Spiral wrapped one of several ways, your own colors or a particular blank (even a particular blank trimmed to adjust it's character), guides of your choice, any sort of decorative threadwork or decalling under the finish, marbling, personalization, balancing, etc., etc., etc. For every time you held a rod and said "I wish this rod ________" With a custom, that wish becomes reality. You are only limited by your own imagination and the builder's abilities.

I used to have a friend who would repair all his soft plastics with an old soldering iron... he could fix about 100 baits during halftime of a football game. (he went outside to do this though) Or buy a bottle of Pro's Soft Bait Glue for $5 and that will last all season.

fourbizzle, Glad to help you out if I can. Muddy, was that a drive-by mooking? ...lol

Raul, Thanks for typing all that out! I appreciate a factual review. Very helpful. Keith

Raul, Not that I want to help this thread live on but I am curious about your experience. I remember when you posted about buying... can you make some comparisons for us? Thanks.

2 options for you that won't "ugly it up" 1. try wax - as in surfboard wax. That will give you some traction. (Can be ordered online, it's cheap and requires no mods to the handle) 2. #0000 steel wool just enough to break the slick surface. I don't think you'll need to do this if you try #1 It would be a shame to waste a custom...

Well, I try to only build 1 or 2 per month. (since I have a wife and a day job) If you are looking for a casting rod, chopped and dropped, I might be one to consider. I'm backed up for about 2 months right now. What are you looking to have built? That may change who you want to consider. -keith

Anything with treble hooks. And quite possibly more things... so much is preference driven that you might end up liking it for other stuff as well- you just need to try other things on it.

Taylor, You should look at the IPT retrieve rate on yout current reel... the Revo "regular speed" (27.5" per turn) will seem like a burner in comparison to your 3.8:1. Actually that's pretty fast for a "regular" speed reel.

Good point Catt, it was brought up in another thread a while back but all hands are not created equal... meaning that not everyone will be able to feel the difference in all rods. (and for that matter, some people haven't learned yet what feels they need to recognize.)

Yes, I'm mildly familiar with rod building... and still- "I certainly hope no one reading this thread makes a buying decision based on all the hear say, slander and BS that's written in this thread."

I agree in principal with your comments but would (as you suggested) think the prices should be adjusted... in the rods to at least an IMX price, which is where I think the high end begins and is well justified. I also agree with DRat to a point and see a lot of posts that people bash high end stuff having never used it, seemingly to justify their own purchase of lower priced gear.

I know of the company. That price sounds right on your custom and in line with what I and many others would charge. Your original price estimate was probably based on the installation of new seat and cork.... forgetting that the harder part is removal of the old seat and cork and prep of the area for new stuff coming on from behind. No need for you to go get the quote, a 7' rod tube, insured, round trip from Tx to Mass would be $50 ish for me plus the cost of any work. Besides, who else in the world has a split gripped, spiral wrapped, custom made door stop built on an All Star blank? ;D

How important is catching fish? Ronnie Perfect response. I'll add that when I began using better rods, I started catching bigger fish... as the bigger fish seem to more often pick up soft plastics as opposed to strike them. A little extra sensitivity can go a long way.

Diablos, You may be right but I'd be very suprised... only because I know what it actually takes to change a reel seat. I have a t-rig rod that I used last year, that the reel seat nut also stripped out on- I built another rod instead of replacing the seat... Even if you had a non exposed seat and cut it & the cork off and then shimmed the new rear cork and shimmed the seat on from the rear, you would still be in for a 2hr. job. Last time I worked for $7.50/hr. I was in high school... and I'll have my 20 yr reunion in another year. Can you call him? And mention that it's a Fenwick Techna AV with an exposed blank reel seat and get a price for me and the original poster. You have me curious. Besides, if it's even close to your price, I'll probably send my rod to him as well. (being serious, not being a smart alec) Thanks, Keith

These days I fish with people probably 80%-90% of the time. (it used to be the opposite) but since they are always invited guests, I still cover expenses as if I were alone. Fishing out of a 19' Champion/175 hp.

I certainly hope no one reading this thread makes a buying decision based on all the hear say, slander and BS that's written in this thread. And no, I have never owned a Kistler product.

Call me old fashioned but I believe that quality control should happen BEFORE a product comes to market. Avid, I know what you mean but if "defects in materials or workmanship" always showed up before products went to market, there would be no need for a warranty on anything produced. And remember that everything produced, is done so by man... meaning none of it is perfect.

I wouldn't touch it for 3 times that labor price.

Think about that statement and then ask yourself this question... Are Recoil guides soft and flexible? If your logic holds, then do you think the REC's will hold up? Only time will tell. So far the only bad reports I've heard are the tip tops grooving, but the recoil guides are still new and no one has any multi-year data on them.

Gene, Our best for pitching the flooded brush was pumpkinseed and some old faded cotton candy chartruse... the chartruse was pretty much faded out of it and the new ones with bright tails didn't work. ...lol Watermelon also worked alright but not as good. The key seemed to be mid lake clear water... anywhere we had clear water coves and flooded bushes we caught fish. From about Temple lake Park up to just shy of the water elevator was prime. Look for an older white Champion w/ a teal stripe - maybe I'll see you out there! -keith

Thanks guys! Gene, Just left of the pic is the sportsman's club. (the floating building) We were probably only 50 yards from the fish cleaning dock. We were on the 2nd drop at the mouth of that cove.