Gettin' the Itch – Custom Rods

Have been busy building my line up for 2018-2019! Cannot come soon enough!

If you want to see more of what I’m builing. check out out my facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/Infinitycustomsmi

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I feel the same way. I have 4 new rod blanks I shaped myself and can’t wait to put them to the test. I made sure to record the tapers so I can reproduce them again. Building rods is a fun hobby. Testing and catching fish on something you made makes it even better.

I’m a noob to custom ice rods. I see different styles of eyelets made out of various materials. What are the differences and advantages?

I’m thinking about getting a rod specific for Lake Winnipeg walleye. So I’m trying to learn what I can before I buy.

Thanks!

Andrew Rice wrote:

I’m a noob to custom ice rods. I see different styles of eyelets made out of various materials. What are the differences and advantages?

I’m thinking about getting a rod specific for Lake Winnipeg walleye. So I’m trying to learn what I can before I buy.

Thanks!

I went to a rod building class in Wisconsin where a gentleman named Chris Stanton was one of the instructors. Chris has written a few rod building apps/aides and is all about growing the rod building community. I would suggest finding him through facebook or MudHole(he is a field staffer) and ask him questions directly. Just a suggestion, might save you a headache or two!

Chris is a good guy who knows his stuff.
Andrew when I get some time I will type you up a response. There is not a short answer to your question.

Try this link
https://www.sportfishingmag.com/new-fishing-rod-guides

There is also a lot of Facebook groups dedicated to rod building. I have found a lot of time and money saving tips and tricks. I am still very early in the process but I have made a few now and enjoyed catching fish with something you made.

Mudhole is having am Extreme ice rod building seminar on Tue 10/9 at 6:60 eatern on facebook.

oops 6:30 eastern

Andrew, I choose mine based on weight and durability. Fly guides are that for me. One of the big things to look for is ring size. You do not want to buy something that has too small of guides. They will ice up fast and you will be frustrated as you waste more time “thawing” your rings out. Also, you want to make sure that a custom rod that you buy has enough guides. Too few will stress the blank, especially with the new “power noodle” type rods. RECOIL guides are pushed in the custom rod market. These guides are made of a titanium alloy instead of the “standard” steel. They are memory free down to a certain temperature so they are very durable. If you have any other questions, dont be afraid to reach out!

???? Thanks. I’m still trying to figure out if I’m going to buy a high end rod and reel off the shelf or go custom.

Andrew Rice wrote:

???? Thanks. I’m still trying to figure out if I’m going to buy a high end rod and reel off the shelf or go custom.

When choosing guides for ice rods, I prefer recoil guides on most applications. As said before, they are made of titanium and they have very low memory (if you step on you guide they will bend instead of break, and then return to their original shape) Believe it or not, the guides are one of the most expensive components on a high end or custom rod. If you are buying a rod that says it has some recoil and some other guides, it usually means the inexpensive small guide on the tip is recoil and the more expensive larger guides are cheaper. This defeats the purpose in my opinion. I work at Tuned Up Custom, and all our ice rods, with the exception of the LTP use all recoil guides.
BTW, I am going to Winnipeg for the first time this winter and I will be using my 32″ Commander.
Dan

Sorry for the “?????” I was on my phone and that was meant to be a thumbs up icon.

Good to know Dan! I was thinking about getting a Commander 34 or 36″. What reel did you go with on your Commander?

I have the Pfluguer President 20 on mine. I use that on my walleye rods because I like to use braid main line and the reel is braid ready so you don’t need to use any backing. Then in summer I pop it off and use it on my UL rod.

There are a ton of custom builders out there that will build you a rod for the price of some of the “high end off the shelf” rods. You won’t be disappointed, just make sure your builder knows his/her stuff.

TUCR is never a bad way to go either. Their rods are what inspired my love for rod building as well as my “style”. I love their clean and classy looks! Now I am pro staff with American Tackle on their rod building division and doing it as a small business! It’s an addiction.

I am starting on a blank that looks really close to the commander tonight! Going 38” with a custom 8” grip! Can’t wait to get it together as I feel this will be go to walleye blank.

Branden Visser wrote:

There are a ton of custom builders out there that will build you a rod for the price of some of the “high end off the shelf” rods. You won’t be disappointed, just make sure your builder knows his/her stuff.

TUCR is never a bad way to go either. Their rods are what inspired my love for rod building as well as my “style”. I love their clean and classy looks! Now I am pro staff with American Tackle on their rod building division and doing it as a small business! It’s an addiction.

I am starting on a blank that looks really close to the commander tonight! Going 38” with a custom 8” grip! Can’t wait to get it together as I feel this will be go to <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye blank.

It is very satisfying to fish a rod that has your fingerprints all over the build!

I tend to lean toward the other guide offerings out there that are both extremely light and durable – Alps and Pac Bay have some very high end guides that work well on ice rods.

I need to get off my rear and start building some new rods to use this season