Anyone out there build rods? I want to get started, was wondering what kind of equipment I would need to build a few rods for myself?
What challenges do you typically run into?
Great advice! Mudhole is a perfect place for the beginner rod builder.
I’ve built a couple. I want to build more. Youtube has a ton of how to videos. Some put up by mudhole and many others. You can find cheap drying rotisseries on ebay or build something using a slow rotating motor. Mine came out of a microwave turn table. You can use a grill rotisserie motor.
What are you trying to do with the rod? Offshore? casting artificials? Chunking cutbait?
haddrells has some blanks in stock. I recommend a rainshadow blank for your first build. Haddrells may have what you want in stock. So you can put it in your hand before you buy it. You can get a decent blank for about $50-60.
Components is where it can get tricky. what to chose. I spent a lot of time researching what other quality rods have. Fuji seems to be the standard for quality. And you pay for it. I found some good deals on ebay recently and have enough guides to do about 10-12 inshore rods. I have a few sets that are titanium with alconite rings, stainless SiC rings, and stainless with alconite rings. I even bought a scale that measures down to the milligram to compare weights. Hey, if you’re gonna do something, might as well know everything you can about it to get it right.
I’ve thought about getting on here a couple times to see who else builds. I’ve only built 2 and a half rods. So I’m not expert on it. But I have fun with it. I’ve stripped quite a few rods and upgraded guides on a couple. I also converted a bait casting rod to a spinning rod and repaired a few broken guides and tips.
The first one is the 2nd rod a built. My practice was a 5’ panfish rod I used to fish a small pond on an air base when i was in texas last year.
This one is a 4-10 rainshadow blank. Microwave guides. Very fun rod for trout with a 1000 spinning reel and 8lb braid.
The last two pics are a 50-100 jigging rod I’m building with an acid wrap. I still need the trim band on the guide shown and my spiral wrap isn’t lined up all that well.
I should have used thicker thread(A is small, D is big, just like those things that start with
I’ve watched my pops build a few. Granted it was 20 years ago, it wasn’t rocket science. A blank, some thread, some glue, and a bench with roller skate wheels. If you’re seriously entertaining the idea, I’d say give it a go.
2002 17’SeaHunt
I learned without YouTube, so it really isn’t that hard:sunglasses:. It’s been a while, but I intend on building some more soon.
You can start with almost nothing. Strip an old rod and put it back together for practice. Make some V-blocks to hold the rod horizontal, put the thread in between pages of a book for tension, and roll the rod with the palm of your hand to wind the thread. If you can do a few guides like this and you haven’t thrown the rig across the room, you’re probably hooked. A nicer wrapper setup with a good thread tensioner would be your next tool to buy.
Read up and good luck! I’ll be happy to answer questions if I can.
Here’s the one from above. I finished it last week. Now If I could just get the chance to use it.
It’s not perfect. But I learned a few things for my next one.
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
Man I love your setup. Do you have some kind of slip clutch on it? Great looking rod btw.
no slip clutch. Just 4 wooden pegs and some rubberbands. some slip would be nice, but for the amount I’m building it’s fine.
I did order 4 more blanks over Easter. I’ll have at least 1 done by may 3rd for a trip to florida.
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
There are too many ways to build this stuff. I’ll eventually build a second drying rack. I’ll probably do something similar to this. It should offer some slip
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
I started another build. This is a Rainshadow IP963 blank. 8" cut down to 7’9". 8-14 blank. Mod-fast. I 3" off the butt end.
I’m building this for whipping some mirrodines long distances in open water. Specifically for a trip to Steinhatchee, FL next month.
Total cost will be about $90. all new components would put this in the range of $140-$150.
Blank $66 plus $4 shipping(divided by 4 rods)
Guides-fuji k series $13 used
handle- $2 used
Butt - $4
Misc -$5 for thread and epoxies.
I haven’t decided yet on which guide set.
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
On the rotisserie. Only CP(color preserver) for now. Flex goes on tomorrow.
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.