Hook keeper attached with vinyl bands.

 

Stripper guide.

 

All ready for thread!

 

I think I need to clean off my bench again.  Having trouble finding tools when I need them.

That is VERY NICE!!!!!!!!   Can't wait to see it finished!!!!!!!  

Had lots of chores to do last week. I'll be wrapping it tonight. It needs delivered on Friday!

Wrapped!

 

 

Geez, you made short work of that rod!

Looks great, nice tutorial.

Eyes got tired tonight. I'll align the guides, wrap the trim bands and put the first coast of finish on tomorrow.

That teal is the perfect color for a blend with that blank. I feel subtle designs like this are more elegant. Less is more in most cases IMO. Once in a while it's fun to go a little nuts with the bling though. lol 

Trim bands wrapped.

 

 

First coat of finish.

 

 

Wow. Just wow.

Nice, clean work.

Applied the decal and put the final coat of finish on tonight.  Walked away for about 10 minutes and it happened!  A gnat landed on the decal area.  Finish was about 40 minutes in, so it was getting thick.  I fished out the bug and it's wings and dripped some finish back on the bare spot.  Seems kinda OK, but I'll know better in the morning.  I may have to re-coat the decal area if the finish doesn't flow back in place.

 

Decal before applying finish over it.

 

 

I bet that really bugged you.

Applied the decal and put the final coat of finish on tonight.  Walked away for about 10 minutes and it happened!  A gnat landed on the decal area.  Finish was about 40 minutes in, so it was getting thick.  I fished out the bug and it's wings and dripped some finish back on the bare spot.  Seems kinda OK, but I'll know better in the morning.  I may have to re-coat the decal area if the finish doesn't flow back in place.

 

Decal before applying finish over it.

 

 

 

 

I wish that said handcrafted for Dwight Hottle !

Sweet looking rod !!

Yep^

I wish that said handcrafted for Dwight Hottle !

 

 

I think you'd like this rod.  It's my favorite action/power for dropshotting.  The one I'm going to build for myself (someday maybe) will be extended to 7'.

Scott has done quite a few rod projects for me (from modifications to full builds) and his work is just incredible (as you can see).   Very nice work! 

That looks super swell. Good work, I dig it. I would have left the label off myself. Personal preference

I think you'd like this rod.  It's my favorite action/power for dropshotting.  The one I'm going to build for myself (someday maybe) will be extended to 7'.

That's a top notch blank for sure. I find myself moving more and more from Med to ML power blanks for most of my personal spinning tackle.

The only medium spinning rod that I will have in my collection will be a 5s610mxf for tubes, as soon as I build it. I sold my 6'8" m/xf pink avid to a guy in my club and never replaced it. I do have a bunch of medium lights tho!

All finished.

Thanks for allowing me to document this build on the forums. Stay tuned. I may do a little more in-depth photojournal when I have time to build mine!

Nice work! Thanks for sharing the process.

Love the cork.

Awesome rod. Can't wait to purchase a house so I have room to do this. Right now I have to stick with lures.

 

Never would have thought of the idea with the cork handle art. Amazing work.