Custom Rods???

[DKennimer]

Hello all,

I was needing some input on custom fishing rods. I have heard that they are great, but find it hard to believe that an individual could produce a product far superior than a multi-million dollar company with all of their research and development... I am really thinking about getting one, but need some help deciding on a particular builder... I have heard about Dobyns and Hendricks but thats about it...

Thanks for any input!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Custom Rods???

Name me one multi-million dollar company that actually designs and builds rods? Better yet, when was the last time that they sent a designer out to measure your arms, ask you a few questions, then went back to the factory and built a rod specifically for you?

When a customer come to me for a rod we typically spend an hour to a hour and a half talking. I want to know how he fishes. His likes and dislikes in the rod. What he expects from the rod. I also have him bring the reel so I can setup the guides specially for that reel.

Once you go custom you?ll never pick up a factory rod again.

 

[DKennimer]

Re: Custom Rods???

Name me one multi-million dollar company that actually designs and builds rods. Harder yet, when was the last time that they sent a designer out to measure your arms, determine the reel your using and then modified one of the their rods specifically for you?

When a customer come to me for a rod we typically spend an hour to a hour and a half talking. I want to know how he fishes. His likes and dislikes in the rod. What he expects from the rods. I also have him bring the reel so I can setup the guides specially for that reel. Once you go custom you?ll never pick up a factory rod again.

thats why I posted this, need input. What is your companies website?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Custom Rods???

I personally know a custom builder and he has built a few for me. He uses blanks made by company such as kistler, rainshadow, g-loomis, etc..and other components that will work best with the blank he's working with. You can still buy a mass produced rod to your liking but with a custom rod you don't have to compromise. You get exactly what you want, you know exactly who build your rod and if it doesn't turn out good you can beat him on the head with it.

 

[DKennimer]

Re: Custom Rods???

LOL! Thanks for the info., where is he located and what's his price range?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Custom Rods???

Indiana, he normally charges $130 for a top notch rod. The blank itself costs half of that.

 

[achoefs]

Re: Custom Rods???

if you r looking into getting making your own try mudhole.com they are a good place to start or just get an idea. or i just let u know how much goes into making one.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Custom Rods???

You can spend as little or as much as you like. I built rods ranging in price from @ $95 - $500+.

Some of the better blanks will run you $175-$250 at cost. Add titanium guides, a custom grip and some thread work and and your looking at $$$

 

[mphy98]

Re: Custom Rods???

I must be too much a novice. I just can't see the difference between my old ugly sticks and customs to make up the price. They just get used for walleye and muskie for the most part anyway. I will admit I have never even picked up a custom, but is there that big of difference?

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Custom Rods???

I must be too much a novice. I just can't see the difference between my old ugly sticks and customs to make up the price. They just get used for walleye and muskie for the most part anyway. I will admit I have never even picked up a custom, but is there that big of difference?

Wellll. I don't own any custom, handcrafted rods other than my hybrid spinning rod- I put a long trolling handle on a 9-foot 'glass fly rod, changed the rod tip to a hardened spinning tip from a broken Abu Garcia, and mounted a spinning reel loaded with 20# Stren braid for walleye and salmon/trout trolling. That improved my fishing a lot. However, I have no customs or high end rods, therefore the following opinion is from sampling friends rods and educating myself to nicer rods at tackle shops and shows. I do have a St Croix and a couple of Quantums that I really like, but those come in the middle or just below the middle of the pack for price and quality.

Are customs worth it? Probably. Try a few nice St Croix, Carrot Stix, or perhaps one of the recently introduced to me All Star rods; the light weight, sensitivity, and strength of the rod will surprise you. Custom rods are a few grades above those good brands.

If you are that much into fishing that a custom rod is a consideration, then it is definitely worth it if you can pay the price. Customs can include special tip actions by request, certain lengths for a particular purpose, and very durable blanks that are extremely light weight for their purpose. All that translates to a better, more successful fishing experience, or perhaps even more fish.

I tend to not buy the cheapest-priced fishing tackle, but I don't have very many really good rods either. My selection includes a cheap, heavy Berkley spinning combo which I am fond of (this is my Dipsy rod), several Okumas, the St Croix ultralight, five or six Quantums. I have never regretted ever buying any of the better quality, higher priced rods. At this point I have all I can use- any down the road are going to be longer, slow purchases, and probably expensive; maybe even custom. I have enough rods to catch virtually any species I prefer to fish for- buying just another rod at this point will not improve anything. But buying a top-quality rod- that could improve my fishing immensely.

A custom rod can improve your fishing; if that's what you need, it is worth it.

Another dissertation containing my 2 cents

 

[DKennimer]

Re: Custom Rods???

Thanks for the input. I do already have some All-star rods, but was not that impressed... Once I upgraded to a better reel (in my case the Abu SX) I couldn't believe the difference in a $170 and the $100 reels I have been purchasing in the past, I was amazed and will never buy a $100 reel again! Thats why I was wandering about the rods. I am an avid golfer, and in that sport I can tell the difference in a good shaft and a great one and thought the same difference would be in the custom rods too. However, the "custom clubs" in golf in my opinion are junk. But the difference in the shafts (which are graphite too) is amazing! Thanks again for the input. All input is put into consideration!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Custom Rods???

I must be too much a novice. I just can't see the difference between my old ugly sticks and customs to make up the price. They just get used for walleye and muskie for the most part anyway. I will admit I have never even picked up a custom, but is there that big of difference?

Fishing rods are like anything high performance. You'll never be able to justify the performance gains unless you push the limits.

It's pretty hard for the typical person to justifying buying a Porsche to drive to and from work. It becomes a whole lot easier if you're into road racing.

 

[tpcowfish]

Re: Custom Rods???

Fishing rods are like anything high performance. You will never be able to justify the performance gains unless you push them to their limits.

It's pretty hard for the typical person to justifying buying a Porches to drive to and from work. It becomes a whole lot easier to justify if you're into road racing.

Agree 100%, And you won't know till you try one, only you can decide whats best for you

 

[osborn159]

Re: Custom Rods???

check out mudhole.com as previous poster suggested, their 3 miles from my home great people great service, we buy a lot of our stuff there, have a buddy thats builds as a hobby and is teaching a few of us less talented types.
check on line for other outlets as well, if you find other helpful and freindly business's i'd like to know, probly would stick w/ mudhole cause of location/relationship built but never hurts to look into other business.
my 2 cents, build your own.