IM looking for a quality Rod Builder.
I want to start with 2 rods. A crank and a plastics. I will sacrifice length for sensitivity to a point. The shortest I will go is 6'6. The Plastics rod will use florocarbon about 20lb test. I will flip worms creatures etc with it. No jigs. It needs to have the backbone to wrestle fish from serious laydowns,lily pads, and assorted hyacinth and hydrilla so thick the depth finder thinks its underground.
The crank also needs strength but i really need feel with it.
Both rods will be baitcast. IM also not looking for a Gloomis price, I'd also like some sort of buyer protection. I need a rod that isnt going to break in a tournament, but if it does I want someone to stand by the rod. Im not asking for a no questions asked replacement, but I dont want a rod that someone throws together and ships with crossed fingers. I hope the builder can stand by their product if it snaps, or repair it if the guides come apart or something. Believe me Im reasonable, if its a parts only thats Ok. Please PM or email me if you can do the work.
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (j10b)
This is all I use Jon... They used to be built with G-Loomis blanks.. Now made with St Croix blanks.... I love them. All my friends use them too. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif They will build custom rods on request at an up charge.... http://hagensrods.com/
http://hagensrods.com/Rod_Cover_Web1.jpg
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (21XDC)
You cant tell me there isnt ONE rod builder on the board that doesnt want to sell some rods.
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (j10b)
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (Bassman25)
jon...here's the man you want to contact, Russ Blanchard: http://rb3rb@cox.net He's been working a lot of hours lately and probably just hasn't seen your post. He makes some mighty fine quality custom rods. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (j10b)
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (Bassman25)
Jon, Let me also cast a vote for Russ Blanchard!! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
There are a TON of guys that build high quality rods, and some that build pure junk. Russ is one of the best out there.
One thing that I think sets Russ apart from others is...
1st he gets to know you a little. He wants to know exactly what your looking for in a rod. He will spend a great deal of time talking about what type of rod your looking for, before he ever suggests a particular blank.
2nd, his workmanship is just outstanding. He is a true craftsman, that takes pride in his work.
He builds what YOU want. He will make suggestions, based on his experience, not because he has a particular brand in stock.
Here's a couple of pics of some of my rods...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...102AYs2rJy5Ysa
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...102AYs2rJy5Ysa
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...102AYs2rJy5Ysa
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (j10b)
For cranks, I'd suggest a rod like the 8-footer I posted, you can see it in an earlier post. Feel is important with cranks to me, so I don't use glass blanks for my cranking rods. I can build rods for ya and I'm sure you won't go wrong with a rod from Russ. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
Re: IM looking for a quality Rod Builder. (j10b)
I have built custom rods for 25 years, what you want is not impossible it is pretty easy. when you have a custom rod built that is what you want to get, A CUSTOM ROD built for your hands. but what is your price range? St Croix makes an excellent rod in the SCIV and SCV class the latter is a pricey blank the first is about 100 buck just for the blank. sensativity is amazing. for the worming rod go with a 6 foot 8 rod if you are of average height. have it made in a heavy action with a 10 inch rear cork of AAA or FLOR grade. i use American Tackle guides due to poor quality control on Fuji ( inserts pop out freaquently) American tackle guides use Zirconia rings that are titanium nitrate coated. imperviouse to braid. Have them use double foot guides all the way to the tip. 2 feet are better than one when it comes to transferring vibrations to the rod.
For the cranking rod, what are you going to be throwing on it?? 1/4 to 3/8 shallow to mid diving baits like Bandits or rattle traps. if so go with a 6 foot 6 Graphite glass composit blank like Shakari makes. very sensative and a soft tip with a lot of backbone to set the hooks. it is also a very light blank. go with a 6 to 7 inch rear cork with a raised hump behind the reel seat. this will aid in fatigue when casting all day
If you are going for a heavier crankin rod go with a 6 foot 8 to 7 foot med heavy composit blank with a longer rear cork. this type of blank would work well when casting DD22s etc.
I cannot say enough about Shakari crankin blanks. i have made about 100 of them and never had one returned. all my customers love them. try to stay away from Lamiglass blanks. i am not bashing them as i built hundreds of rods with their blanks. as of the last 2 years i have had 30 percent of the rods break. they switched something up and now they are very brittle. Another good blank is Rogue. which is made by the Loomis brothers. after they sold Loomis they started a new rod blank company. it is realatively new but they build a great blank. they have an excellent Dropshot blank. Although it is not quite as good as the StCroix SCIV dropshot blank.
