Hello,

I made a post yesterday about getting a baitcasting set up for $200-$250. Thank you for some great suggestions. Well I am selling some custom lure building materials and was offered a trade for a custom built rod. The builder told me he was willing to trade $325 custom rod build for my $250 in custom lure supplies trade (the stuff im selling is worth around $400 retail)

 

Now I am very new to custom rods. he is giving me a call today to discus but was hoping to get some insight there first. I have only been seriously bass fishing for about 2 years so I am not sure the specs I should go with to get the most use from this rod. I am definitely going baitcasting since I have several nice spinning rods.  

 

This is the information I currently have -

I build custom wood handled rods (greater sensitivity)

I would be willing to offer $325 in custom built rods

They would be made to your specs. length, action, lure weight, ect.

I use G-Loomis, ST.Croix, Fenwick, MHX, and custom blanks

I have 7 hardwoods for handles 90+ colors of thread for custom wraps

all components are Fuji I can build spinning, casting, ICEFISHING or fly

I can email pics of past work for you to see

 

 

I was thinking of going with 7' 6" Med or MH rod Fast Action. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. As I posted before I would love to use this as a versatile rod since I bank fish and cannot bring a lot of rods with me. Looking to do some jigging, spinning baits, maybe some light top water, those kinds of things.

 

Does anyone have any insight on what "Blank" would be best or how that works? Any other custom rod builders out there?

 

Thank you!

7'2" MH/F

 

Dunno what to advise ya on specification wise for a rod build without more info on what lures you want to fish.  Middle of the road would be 7' - 7'4" MH/F. Not sure about hardwood handles. I just haven't seen many rods built with them (like zero).

10 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

Dunno what to advise ya on specification wise for a rod build without more info on what lures you want to fish.  Middle of the road would be 7' - 7'4" MH/F. Not sure about hardwood handles. I just haven't seen many rods built with them (like zero).

Thanks I mentioned at the bottom looking to toss smaller jigs, spinning baits, under spins, maybe some light topwater like 75 WP. Being a bank fisherman I can only carry 2-3 poles so I have my finesse and a littler larger setup. So I was hoping to make this as versatile as possible for several situations. the 7' 2" or 7' 4" Fast seems to make the most sense though based on some feedback.

 

Thanks for the input on the wood handles I'll have to look into them more

There are only a few reasons to look into custom rods; off the shelf rod doesn't have specific features you want or doesn't have the bling you desire. I don't care about bling, it's all about performance to enhance the way I fish.

It doesn't sound to me you know exactly what want in a custom rod like spiral wound guides, or 10 slight larger micro guides in lieu of the standard 9 for example. Rod handle  made of wood falls into custom category something I personally would aviod.

Here is my suggestion, look at Shimano EX172MHA Expride casting rod for example and decide what features this rod could have added that satisfies your desires. 

Contact site sponsor DVT and ALX and ask them what they can biuld you within your price point. If you are uncomfortable discussion a custom biuld go with off the shelf rods.

Tom

30 minutes ago, WRB said:

There are only a few reasons to look into custom rods; off the shelf rod doesn't have specific features you want or doesn't have the bling you desire. I don't care about bling, it's all about performance to enhance the way I fish.

It doesn't sound to me you know exactly what want in a custom rod like spiral wound guides, or 10 slight larger micro guides in lieu of the standard 9 for example. Rod handle  made of wood falls into custom category something I personally would aviod.

Here is my suggestion, look at Shimano EX172MHA Exprite casting rod for example and decide what features this rod could have added that satisfies your desires. 

Contact site sponsor DVT and ALX and ask them what they can biuld you within your price point. If you are uncomfortable discussion a custom biuld go with off the shelf rods.

Tom

Yes I agree and normally I would not be looking into a custom rod. However since I will not be paying cash and it will be a trade I thought it would be a good decision. That is why I reached out for some advice on what to look for or get.

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

7'2" MH/F

 

This is the one 7’2 MH/F, for me I would specific of 1/4 - 1oz lure rate with a little soft tip bank. Since it custom bring your reel head to store and try different reel seat, request the one that you comfortable with. This is important to me since I palm rod and reel. There are a few different real seat on market, I like exposed blank real seat from Daiwa original tatula and shimano crucial the best. Next would me guide, micro guide, mini guide or reg guide. I like the K series or Mini guide. Micro guide is smaller, make the rod lighter and more sensitive. Last would be color wrap accent, you can pick whatever color you preferred, like RED or Orange GOLD.

 

Anyway check out custom rod built on internet to see what and why ppl use custom rod.

https://www.mudhole.com/Components-Rod-Building/rod-building-component-brands/fuji-rod-building-components

This is a discussion best had with the builder. See what he suggests and offers as a fair trade. If you’re unsure or don’t trust the claimed value maybe it’s not the right deal.

I don't think your builder can come through with St Croix or Loomis blanks.  Only a few St Croix blanks are available through Rodgeeks and Loomis blanks have been unavailable for years.  If your builder is any good he can make whatever shape handle you want out of cork, regular or burl-don't feel like you're stuck with wood.  Ask what his typical 7 foot medium power fast action rod weighs.  Lighter = better sensitivity, so if his rod is over about 3.6 to 3.8 oz, it's nothing special for weight.

 

If he's into Fuji, which is a high quality brand, he knows how to do a spin rod with the KLH reduction train.  Find out if that is what he uses.  IMHO, it's the way to go these days.

 

As WRB says, make sure you know what you want.  I'm not sure what is available in the the factory rod market, but you can get some pretty nice factory rods for less than $200, especially between new model introductions.

 

I've never built on Fenwick.  MHX offers a bazillion options.

 

This sounds a little shaky to me.  The only way I'd do it would be if I could visit him in his shop, look at his work, and talk about what you want and what he's built that is close.  

If the builder really has some old Loomis MBR blanks on hand I would just trade for one of them and find someone to build it later on. 

Update rod is here

 

http://imgur.com/gallery/yUCFIjz

 

Loomis GLX blank ( asked if it was a GL3 based on the matte black finish but assured me it is a GLX old stock he had) with a Black Walnut Handle, and N Guides (he said he prefers these) 7' rated fe 3/8-3/4oz. Overall I'm rather happy with my trade.

 

Let me know what you think 

Does it say Boob on it?

38 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Does it say Boob on it?

Hahaha nonit says Book, it's a family nickname. Lighting makes it hard to see the K correctly 

Beautiful rod,

how heavy is that rod? Is the handle feel slippery when wet? Should be good for moving bait.

On 10/17/2019 at 4:34 PM, MickD said:

I don't think your builder can come through with St Croix or Loomis blanks.  Only a few St Croix blanks are available through Rodgeeks and Loomis blanks have been unavailable for years.  If your builder is any good he can make whatever shape handle you want out of cork, regular or burl-don't feel like you're stuck with wood.  Ask what his typical 7 foot medium power fast action rod weighs.  Lighter = better sensitivity, so if his rod is over about 3.6 to 3.8 oz, it's nothing special for weight.

 

If he's into Fuji, which is a high quality brand, he knows how to do a spin rod with the KLH reduction train.  Find out if that is what he uses.  IMHO, it's the way to go these days.

 

As WRB says, make sure you know what you want.  I'm not sure what is available in the the factory rod market, but you can get some pretty nice factory rods for less than $200, especially between new model introductions.

 

I've never built on Fenwick.  MHX offers a bazillion options.

 

This sounds a little shaky to me.  The only way I'd do it would be if I could visit him in his shop, look at his work, and talk about what you want and what he's built that is close.  

Can you go into more detail regarding the KLH reduction train?