Considering making my own rods.

Looking into a custom rod but not sure we’re to start. I know I’m looking for crappie perch bluegill rod. As well as a trout walleye. Any suggestions for a blank would be nice.

Look at Sportmens Direct Extreme taper glass rod. I have used them many times and it’s a very solid blank and priced right. For a trout/walleye rod, order the same extreme taper rod just order it in carbon and you will be good to go.

Thanks I’ll look into them.

Jeffrey George wrote:

Looking into a custom rod but not sure we’re to start. I know I’m looking for crappie perch bluegill rod. As well as a trout walleye. Any suggestions for a blank would be nice.

you have a pm !

I have been pretty happy with Mud Hole MHX series so far.
36MLMF from Muddle is what I have been using for crappie, perch and sunnies.
32UL is a god jumbo/small walleye rod and works week for a panfish bobber rod.
CIB36 is what I currently use jigging for eyes and I think it would be good for trout as well.
CIB30 is a good bobber rod for eyes.
I have not yet tried the 36UL for pannies or the 36MH for eyes but intend to try it next season.

In order to make your own rods, what equipment do you all need to have? Wondering how feasible it is to start doing it.

Great hobby and very rewarding. Whenever you chose to build a rod, start with very specific goals. Compared to rods you already have, what is it EXACTLY that you want the rod to do that the others are not? Do you want a slower action where the rod bends like a noodle from the handle, a faster tip for working spoons, longer over-all length, bigger diameter handle, lighter guides???

Having the answers to questions like this will really help out. It makes it more efficient to determine the correct blank to use and what components need to be matched to it. Subtle little things can alter a rod so easily.

Equipment you can get by pretty cheap for doing a smaller number of rods. Hand wrappers are still a great way to wrap most rods. If you a wrapping the tips on ice rods it makes a little tougher.

Rod wrapping machines are super nice once you get going. They are nice because you can finish on them as well too.

Most of the tools you need you can get by with what you have.

Mudhole’s catalogs are a great resource or stop by your local rod building shop. Most are eager to offer help.

Bigwalleye30 wrote:

In order to make your own rods, what equipment do you all need to have? Wondering how feasible it is to start doing it.

Wrap station
Rotating drying rack

I have built all mine and its pretty easy to do and saves a lot of cash. Muddle has some good videos on you tube on the process and tools. I will try to find some pics of self built equipment or take pics of mine.

This is some stuff I built for my students to use here at school.
The kids run their thread through a text book to use as a tensioner. There are many better hand wrapping station out there but it is simple and works for beginners.

The “chuck” to hold the cork is just an inner tube with a hole cut in it.

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you don’t build rods to save money. if you start to figure it out and are able to build the rods that you are looking for, you will be spending MORE money because that last one you built, can always be better. i started building rods because in the early 90’s, you couldn’t find any in the lengths and power i wanted for lake trout and i have down time at work as a fireman, and rod building worked out good for that. then they came out with the solid carbon blanks…. well like i said, “the next one can always be better”. i was able to buy all my supplies wholesale, and they were a st croix distributer, so needles to say, i was buying more supplies and building more rods. most of the rods i built were ice rods, they are easyer to start out building. when you get the basics down building ice rods, then move on to longer conventional rods

Look on ebay there is a guy selling rod dryers with stands for $40 THEY ARE WHITE easy to find with a search.
The other stuff you will need and use will run about $50 (tape, knife, thread, epoxy ect.. Mud hole has a starter kit for $150 That has every thing you could need

Look up Kichler custom rods. Al teaches classes for around 100 bucks and you build your rod in the class. He will show you how and help you see what you need. Live in elk river. Find him on Facebook.

tucrs wrote:

Equipment you can get by pretty cheap for doing a smaller number of rods. Hand wrappers are still a great way to wrap most rods. If you a wrapping the tips on ice rods it makes a little tougher.

Rod wrapping machines are super nice once you get going. They are nice because you can finish on them as well too.

Most of the tools you need you can get by with what you have.

Mudhole’s catalogs are a great resource or stop by your local rod building shop. Most are eager to offer help.

As soon as TUCR starts selling blanks, all will be right with the world! (Hint, hint John!)

Is there a way to find out who my local custom rod shop is. Being honest I’ve never found one.

Jeffrey George wrote:

Is there a way to find out who my local custom rod shop is. Being honest I’ve never found one.

Are you in the United States?? Didn’t see a location in your profile so I couldn’t help

Ya I found a local shop.

TUCR blanks are just solid core carbon blanks, that can be bought at numerous places that sell rod blanks, for far cheaper than what TUCR would sell them for. Only difference in the blanks could be the taper, which you can easily change to your liking with a little sand paper.

TUCR just puts together excellent rods, the blanks are not something special.

Raynestorm- This is interesting because that is not true. Our blanks are spec’d out by us. They are manufactured per our designs and tapers. We don’t sell our blanks for a few reason but we do not purchase an off the shelf blank.

Tucrs- PM heading your way

Thanks

Raynestorm Sounds good.