If money was no object and you wanted to buy a rod strictly for the sake of owing one which one would it be. Myself I'm kinda curious to see what all the fuss is over these Megabass rods. I haven't done enough research to know all the different models but I would even take an Orochi XX to give it a try.

I see DSG has them on their website. Does anyone know if they usually keep a good inventory in the stores?

I did a recent minor repair on an orochi. Nice Rod. The blank looked like Phoenix blanks I've built on but have no way to confirm. Not to sound self serving, but why would any one pick any over the counter Rod as their dream Rod instead of a full on custom?  

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I did a recent minor repair on an orochi. Nice Rod. The blank looked like Phoenix blanks I've built on but have no way to confirm. Not to sound self serving, but why would any one pick any over the counter Rod as their dream Rod instead of a full on custom?  

Good point. I've been a serious bass fisherman for 3 decades but have never built a custom rod yet. Still got some learning to do. 

Don't let the marketers fool you. Custom builders can access components every bit as good or better than any production Rod uses. If so inclined, building one yourself adds a level of satisfaction. If you don't want to invest the time and deal with the learning curve, you can always commission one. 

Unless it was a limited production run of a MB or Evergreen rod I would have a custom built. You can buy all the neat looking rod components through Matagi and get your blank and guides from a US supplier. Some of the lure of JDM rods are the unique components used like the Slant Bridge handle and unique reel seats. They just have a different look to them that you really don't see with rods in the US market.

I already have it but not for the sake of owning it. I did not pay full price but I would. I might fight the purchase a little bit internally but I would have paid full price for a new one. 

 

1 hour ago, John G said:

I already have it but not for the sake of owning it. I did not pay full price but I would. I might fight the purchase a little bit internally but I would have paid full price for a new one. 

 

Is that the Orochi XX? What model do you own? Sales clearly drive my spending. I don't think I'll buy another rod at full price.

Shimano x Jackall Poison Ultima 162ML

If money was no object I'd go all Phenix.  People can say what they want about it not being made in the USA, but every Phenix rod I've ever fished has been freaking awesome.  If I ever get a custom rod made I'd ask for a Phenix blank for that as well.

Megabass Arms Paraizo

48 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Is that the Orochi XX? What model do you own? Sales clearly drive my spending. I don't think I'll buy another rod at full price.

Shimano Poison Ultima 162L-S

9 minutes ago, John G said:

Shimano Poison Ultima 162L-S

Man you all got too much money to spend. I have horrible internal conflict about spending $300 for a GLX which is a heck of a deal

24 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Man you all got too much money to spend. I have horrible internal conflict about spending $300 for a GLX which is a heck of a deal

Still over priced compared to what you can get in a custom of the same price. 

13 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Still over priced compared to what you can get in a custom of the same price. 

I don't even know where to start with custom builds. I guess I need to follow the custom forum for a while. This question is probably opinion based but who are the best custom rod builders?

Like anything else there are pros and hacks. I like to consider myself in the former group along with Scott Hovanec, Fishin Daddy and others that post here and on other Rod building sites. Ask questions and vette any potential builders you consider. Email me some details what you're looking for and we can talk on the phone if you'd like. 

Thanks. I'm not quite there yet but definitely something to aspire to in the future

$$ no object, I'd like to try the St. Croix Legend Elite rods.

I've been so impressed by my Legend Tourney Walleye 
spinning rod, and I got that on an upgrade from an Avid.
Unbelievable difference to my hands.

Custom builds are very subjective to "the best" - as far as I know custom builders aren't making their own blanks, they're using readily made blanks like Rainshadow and Phenix blanks, and buying reel seats and guides out of a catalog.  Apart from being able to get a rod to your exactl specifications in terms of length/action/components, the custom guys really set themselves apart in the detail work.  If you're looking for a specific color scheme, wrap pattern, or personalization, some of those guys produce absolute works of art that you'll never get in a mass production rod.

2 minutes ago, blckshirt98 said:

Custom builds are very subjective to "the best" - as far as I know custom builders aren't making their own blanks, they're using readily made blanks like Rainshadow and Phenix blanks, and buying reel seats and guides out of a catalog.  Apart from being able to get a rod to your exactl specifications in terms of length/action/components, the custom guys really set themselves apart in the detail work.  If you're looking for a specific color scheme, wrap pattern, or personalization, some of those guys produce absolute works of art that you'll never get in a mass production rod.

Hate to derail the thread but you bring up a good point. I just counted 42 some odd separate rod companies on TW. How many of them are rolling their own blanks? I have no idea but I doubt all of them. Which leads to the question what are you really getting when you purchase a rod? With a lot of these companies probably nothing more than a decal.

16 minutes ago, EvanT123 said:

Hate to derail the thread but you bring up a good point. I just counted 42 some odd separate rod companies on TW. How many of them are rolling their own blanks? I have no idea but I doubt all of them. Which leads to the question what are you really getting when you purchase a rod? With a lot of these companies probably nothing more than a decal.

That's right. I'm not aware of any over the counter Rod that can not be matched or beaten performance wise by readily available components in a custom build. 

I love St Croix rods. So I would wanna try a new Legend Elite spinning rod.

Take it from someone who joined the ranks of custom rod users last season...........there is nothing that will do now. All my rods will be custom built as $$ allows.

10 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

That's right. I'm not aware of any over the counter Rod that can not be matched or beaten performance wise by readily available components in a custom build. 

Just for the sake of discussion how much would it cost to build me a NRX JWR 802C using the same components that Loomis does? Since I know what I pay for one after reading your posts I would expect it to be less. Really looking for a base line to compare the difference in price.

I own 2 customs and with todays technology  if money was no object it would be a custom unlike any other. It would be St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'1" MH-XF blank, it would have split grip with custom Kevlar grips and a Fuji SK2 reel seat and a then finished with a full set of Fuji Titanium Torzite guides. It is a very low key build and has been on my mind for awhile, the blank is $205 but then the custom Kevlar grips are going to really hurt. I've been quoted a few prices but this rod with no bling is going to cost between $900 - $1100. The difference in price depends if the builder can make the grips of they have to be specially ordered and if that is the case it could cast as much as $200 just for the grips.

22 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I did a recent minor repair on an orochi. Nice Rod. The blank looked like Phoenix blanks I've built on but have no way to confirm. Not to sound self serving, but why would any one pick any over the counter Rod as their dream Rod instead of a full on custom?  

 

MB's Arms and Superleggera lines come to mind.  

 

Not it that the components' functions couldn't be matched by other means, they're just so d**n sexy in a Bugatti Veyron sort of way.  

 

My my dream rod is the one with a 25# LMB on the end of it though  

 

I do own an NRX and a Phase 3 Destroyer, but if I ever bite the bullet on a swimbait rod I would really like to go custom.