JeffD

I must not be looking at the correct spot, because I can't find any.

I'd like to replace the original courtesy light on my '93 Ranger. It's a single bulb/cigarette lighter combo. Does anyone know if there is an updated model available, like maybe a LED light with a USB port. Any info would be appreciated.

I'm looking to build 3 or 4 rods with different applications for bass fishing. Probably 3 baitcasters and 1 spinning.

Anybody fishes Lake Pepin lately? How was the bite, how was the water level?

I've decided I want to have a tire jack designated specifically for my boat trailer. I don't know what the weight is for the trailer. It's a single axle 17 foot fiberglass Ranger boat. Just wondering what others are using if they unfortunately need to change a tire on the road.

Good point. I didn't consider that.

Does anyone have a favorite supplier of camo blanks? Is there one than one source? Are the camo blanks more gimicky or are they quality blanks? Thanks for your help in advance.

I think he's decided to just glue it together and make it a one piece. Thanks for all the ideas!

Thanks MickD, will do.

Do you guys see any problem with putting a new coat of 2 part epoxy on top of a 40 year old build. I'm sure back then I used a 1 part finish of some kind.

Is there a rule of thumb for the number of guides for particular rod length? Also, what is the distance (range) from the reel seat to the first guide on a bait casting set up?

When using the 2 different types of guides, are most guys using a traditional tip top or a single foot guide for the tip?

Hey guys, I've seen a couple new rod builds that I have a question about. They were both bait casting rods and they had a mix of double foot guides along with single foot as you go toward the tip of the rod. What is the reasoning for that?

I'm in the need to buy or make a few rods. The last rods I bought were over 30 years ago and back then there wasn't anybody that I knew using the length of rods being used today. Back then I bought 3 identical 5 1/2 foot rod and reel combos that weren't too of the line, but they were far from the bottom. Now, everyone is talking about 7 foot plus rods are the only way to go. I guess my question is how much of this extra length is because of the fighting butts? There weren't fighting butts back then that I can recall. Is a foot or so of the new normal in the fighting butt? I don't think I can control the cast with a 7 foot rod? Is a 7 foot rod with a fighting butt, like casting a 6 foot rod? Help me understand this new era of rods.

Great idea, I will try that. Thanks!

The ferrule (or piece of blank used as a ferrule) is cracked. I'm trying to remove it if possible. He'd like to keep it a 2 piece rod, but if my only option is to somehow permanently join it together, I'll do that.

After rethinking it, I don't think this is a Fenwick blank. I made a few rods back then and I believe I'm wrong in saying it was a Fenwick. I believe the Fenwick blanks back then were brown. This one is black.

Thanks MickD. I have seen the process described in the article. I think I might have to go that route. I wasn't sure what my options were, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks again.

Sorry, I should've given more info. I post a picture if I could figure out how. Everytime I try to post one, it says it's to big and I don't know how to reduce them. The ferrule seems to be made out of the blank material. It's 3" long. It looks like a piece of blank was slid on from the top over and I'm guessing, glued on. The bottom of the blank fits inside the other end. I hope that makes sense. Was that how blanks were joined together back then?

Hey guys, I built a rod for a friend in 1981. It's made from a 2 piece Fenwick graphite blank. Just recently the ferrule broke and needs to be replaced. Can it be removed or does it have to be cut off. How would you approach this. I don't know how the original ferrule is attached. Can it be heated and removed or will that damage the rod. Remove or cut off? Does anyone have any experience with this?

I never said that saving money was the reason I was interested in getting back into rod building. I fully appreciate the satisfaction of catching fish on something you put together. I was simply asking what others thought about the costs and whether there was any savings or not.

Thanks guys. I know the satisfaction of building your own rod. Is there also much money savings? Is a $50 blank a $100 store bought rod? If I wanted to duplicate a $200 rod, how much would the blank be. I know there are guides and handles to be added to the final price, but I'm just wondering. I don't know if I'm making sense to you guys or not.

I'm thinking about making my own rods. I built a few back a lot of years ago, so I know the process. I'm thinking I can get more bang for my buck if I build them myself. I've seen a number of blank manufacturers, but I'm not familiar with most of them. I don't need the top of the line stuff, but can anyone give me a few choices for reasonably priced decent quality options. Thanks in advance.

I learned the hard way! Back into fishing again after a 30 year hiatus and my old crankbaits still catch fish. The only problem is I'm having a hard time setting the hook. Lost 2 decent fish today that I thought I had set the hook, but both spit it. I should've known better. They were very well used 30 years ago. What would your recommendation be for replacement treble hooks.

I also attach mine to my life vest. What do you guys do when running your trolling motor. If the motor is on constant, you hit a stump or something and get tossed from the boat, what then. Never really thought that much about it, but now that I'm older and maybe my balance is not as good as my younger years, I've started being a bit concerned.