I have all but retired all my technique specific rods with custom builds, all except my two topwater ones.  I'm thinking seriously  about building a new one for general topwaters (the other is strictly for walking baits), but that combo and I have a loving history of sorts.  It's an old BPS rod with the power hump handle paired with a Daiwa PMA10 of about the same age, maybe older.  If I retire the rod, I'll end up retiring the reel also and it was my first low profile caster and my first Daiwa.  This combo just fits like a glove and although I believe in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality, I really enjoy building custom rods.     WWYD?

 

Personally, if I had the itch for a custom, I'd probably go for it. 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained' and all that. At the end of the day, the sentimental combo will still be there if you feel like taking it out.

Since you are in Wisconsin & due to winter weather I would probley build to keep busy. If weather is not a issue I would keep my 1st one. I have a Shimano Manumlite Graphite Rod with a Shimano Bantam Magnumlite GT Plus Reel that has the fightin'drag system. I have 2 of these combo's & use them often. They are my 1st bait casting combo's. Being left handed I bought these when left handed bait casting reels 1st started coming out in the mid 70's.

I was in a similar situation. I had 2 BPS extreme rods (green) that I loved. When I started building my own rods, I both wanted to replace them and didn't want to give them up. I ended up stripping them down to bare graphite and rebuilding them. I kinda miss the power hump, but they are much lighter and perform better now. I can now say that I built all the rods on my deck, and still get to use the old BPS rods I like so much.

 

That won't solve your reel dilemma, and stripping a rod (especially one of those) is no small task, but it worked for me.

4 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I was in a similar situation. I had 2 BPS extreme rods (green) that I loved. When I started building my own rods, I both wanted to replace them and didn't want to give them up. I ended up stripping them down to bare graphite and rebuilding them. I kinda miss the power hump, but they are much lighter and perform better now. I can now say that I built all the rods on my deck, and still get to use the old BPS rods I like so much.

 

That won't solve your reel dilemma, and stripping a rod (especially one of those) is no small task, but it worked for me.

I actually did a decorative wrap covering on this rod before I ever started building. 
I’ve stripped guides off of a few rods to replace them and your right about it being no easy task. 
I think I’ll go with Aron_H’s suggestion and do a build as a winter project.

Now, I’ll need a new reel to go with the new rod…………decisions, decisions.

I would semiretire the old one, get it out when you feel nostalgic and just enjoy it.  Then get the new one built to your specs and go to war with it. 

 

Maybe, if it’s possible, have your next custom build it’s replacement with the same power hump.

 

I don’t yet have rod building skills but I imagine as one who has built poppers, prop baits, crankbaits, and minnow type baits, I would assume that shaping cork to make a power hump to not be too difficult, ie, not any harder than shaping a wooden body.  Its only cost is a little bit of elbow grease.

 

Anyway, that’s what I’d do if I had the skills. Imagine that - your new power hump handle rod with the thread colors, guides, and blank of your choice. Sounds like a great plan to me. 

 

Build a new one to scratch that itch, and fish 'em both.

Some of those old BPS rods are pretty sweet. I have an old black BPS Extreme 6-6 MH that's awesome for skipping. They rate it fast, but it feels mod fast. Fantastic tip.