Help! I wanna build a rod...

[BassManDan]

Where is the best place to get the components to build my own (casting) rod. Ideally I'm thinking of building something about 7'2"-7'5" single piece rod. (I geuss this means get a 7'6" blank and cut the bottom off?!) Preferably a med. hvy. power with a moderate action, something really for tossing jig/pig on 20 lb, something a little lighter action than my Daiwa S Flipping/Pitching rod (Enough already!...)

I don't want a loomis blank (garbage as far as i'm concerned!)
Should I look at Lamiglas and get one from them directly, or inquire about somother blank? All I can find on ebay is fly rods and the one off loomis blanks.

Ideally I'd like to put something together with the no foregrip, exposed blank seat style, something like a Dobyns, but more on the simple side of things.

Well, any help is appreciated,
Thanks

BassManDan

[Marty]

Try this site, I hope it is what you’re looking for!

The complete source for Lure Making, Rod Building, Fish Hooks, Fly Tying and Fishing Supplies
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Content/Ro ... ngTips.htm

[SloppySeconds]

BassManDan
I've been looking into the rod building thing as well. You can order blanks from the various rod companies in lots of places. I would look at the huge selection of blanks from St. Croix, as they offer some good blanks in the length you are looking for. If you don't want a telescoping model, you will have to shop around a little harder - as the 7'2" and 7'3" blanks can be tough to come by.

For a lesser expensive blank, try checking out the blanks from Batson and Pacific Bay. For you first rod building experience, you may want to go with something a little more affordable.

Anyway, check out Anlgers Workshop. I would request a mail catalog, as the website is "challenging" at best. They have EVERYTHING!!

http://anglersworkshop.com/

Take a look at some of the articles on this webpage, and take a look at some of his rods for sale. This will give you some good ideas for how to design your own rod, and some good building tips. He also has some good rod components to sell.

http://www.georgescustomrods.com/Articles.htm

Here is a good link to the Baston catalog. This might be a good place to start to figure out what type of components you want.

http://www.batsonenterprises.com/
http://batsonenterprises.com/downloads/MSRP2007.pdf

One thing I would really suggest: Try going to a LOCAL shop first. Look around for a good tackle shop that has a good selection of rod building components. Catalogs are fine, but you really should get your hands on some quality components before you order something that turns out to be wrong. Building rods takes a lot of detail work when putting all the pieces together - like the reel seat size, number or guides, sizes of each guide, tip guide diameters, etc... A good local shop will take out much of the guess work and help to make sure your first rod is going to be something you are proud of and want to fish with.

Good luck.

[medfish]

mudhole and neals fishing on the web plus e-bay....most who list on ebay have stores and links that will help.....keep in mind buying the top quality comp and putting them together yourself one at a time will cost you more than buying then allready built. plus the trial and error of guide placement, handle lengh, etc.......the first one you build will sit in the corner...unless you go to a local guy and he marks it out for you and you buy the stuff from him...BUT it fun and keeps one busy when the ducks don't fly in the winter....lol pm if you would like further help.......Mike

[blkdog812]

see steve @the rod rack in castro valley. you name it, all the parts threads, blanks, guides. very helpful, will wrap it and/or coat the guides if you want to put together your self

[BassManDan]

Great guys, thanks for all the help.
i did come across mudhole.com, seem like a really good place.
I certainly have thought about building a cheapy on the first go-round, but I would like to think that if i take my time and be meticulus enough, I can put together something nice on my first try (i hope this wishful thinkin idea works )

All the best,
BassManDan

[gt5bass]

Dan,

Good luck!!

I would recommend saving yerself some grief and get a hold of Steve Biechman of Steve's Custom Rods and he will build a rod to yer needs on the blank brand of yer choice and it will be right the first time. You can choose the blank (depending on what brand, even the color of blank...I have a bunch of rods with green blanks ) and the other components like guides, handle type, foregrip or no foregrip, etc...I think you git the picture. And yes, Steve guarantees his work!

Get a hold of him and he will build

[brambo0311]

Cabelas has a catalog, I think its called tackle craft or something. The have kits and rod rapping machines. Wasnt to expensive. They have lots of books and videos. You can learn allot just looking through there catalog, like finding the spine of the rod and stuff. Some of the blanks are dirt cheap. They have a warrenty but if it breaks you just get a blank and have to build it again, thats why I havent tried.

[Steve45]

I've built many rods and have used Mudhole for reel seats, guides and fore and rear grips, also check out Rodbuilding.org for other help building your rod you'll be glad you did. Steve

[Blue_R70]

I don't want a loomis blank (garbage as far as i'm concerned!)

Did someone have a bad experience with said brand?

[dockboy]

I started building a couple years ago. Here the sites I started off with;

http://www.rodbuilding.org

http://www.mudhole.com

http://www.anglersworkshop.com

http://www.georgescustomrods.com

Rodbuilding .org is an awesome site. THE site for rodbuilders. The amount the experts on that site have helped me out on my rods is immeasurable.

Mudhole and Anglers Workshop are the places for my shopping. They have almost everything you need. Some of the harder to find stuff can be found on the links @ the Rodbuilder site.

As far as the Loomis blanks go; they are great blanks. I know they have a reputation for breaking. But my first two rods were a Loomis DS820 and CBR845. Both awesome builds. I'm going to build a new worm rod on an IMX 843 blank here soon. Loomis offers a good warranty with the blanks too, as long as you don't do too much to the blanks are far as cutting or modification go (cutting the tip or butt down included). But don't be limited in your choices. St. Croix, Lamiglas, Batson, Rainshadow, Seeker, Graphite USA, and a ton of others all make great blanks. Batson is good if you don't want to spend a ton on a rod. Shikaris is great, but they went up for sale last eyar and finding their stuff is hard. But their good blanks and I highly recommend them. What you'll find is you can pretty muuh make a better rod for less money than the factory model when you buy the blank. unless you really customize it and buy the real expensive components, which is always fun. Do some research and you'll be very happy with the blank you finally decide on.

George is also an awesome guy. If you don't end up building, he can do just about anything you want. I haven't worked with Steve, but I seen a lot of his work around. Its very high quality, and I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb to say he can also do everything you want with a rod. What'll you find out about rod builders is almost everybody helps each other out. There is rarely, if ever, marketing competitions between rod builders. In most cases, you can get help from a lot of different guys if you need it. Welcome to a new addiction. Once you build a rod, I bet you'll become hooked. Just so satsifying to catch fish on a rod you built.

If you have any questions, PM or email me. I can answer most beginner stuff. Good luck and have fun.