Sportsmen's Show-Rod Blanks Question

[Bullkllr]

 Anybody who's been to the Puyallup Sports Show noticed a booth with a lot of discounted fishing rod blanks for sale?

Can't remember the business- think it was from Oregon- 
But a guy used to show up regularly with rod blank discounts and seconds for great deals. Had racks and barrels full of all kinds of blanks.

Anybody recall seeing anything like that? Might go if I knew they'd be there, might pass if I knew they're not there.

Thanks.

[Rick]

Its a little late,but yea there is a guy selling a ton of blanks. I didn't stop and look so I can't comment on pricing.

[Bullkllr]

Thanks, but yeah...missed it.

[ML_Hunter]

Try the show in Portland next weekend
May be a treck...but may be worth the trip.

[Bullkllr]

Try the show in Portland next weekend
May be a treck...but may be worth the trip.

Could be worth going down there. Never been but that PDX show is supposed to be bigger and better anyway.

That booth has had a lot of quality graphite rod blanks for $10-20 on up. If you wrap rods yourself it's almost like free rod material. The other components are the majority of the expense. Some of the factory seconds have a minor surface flaw near the butt or other minor imperfection.

[TheHunt]

I know a few people who have purchased those rod blanks and there is suppose to only be a blemish but not the action.  If you look at the sellers contract it is sold with no returns.  So you as a purchaser must inspect the rod blank.  Both of my buddies really took their time with the blanks and looked them over.   But not one of my friends rods have ever had a problem with them. 

OK, one thing you need to so when you get home is put each rod blank in water to see what side is facing up.  Mark the face up on both sections if you pick a 2 piece rod.  That will be the connection points on how they align to position your line guides.   

[Bullkllr]

 

I've built a bunch of them. I like to buy at least 2 or even more of the same blank. That way I have an easy replacement if one breaks. Some are basically a 1 time only deal. Learned when my kids were younger- they can be hard on rods.

[TheHunt]

If this is for kids.... HECK YES!!! 

[ML_Hunter]

I will be at the PDX show next weekend. I will have to stop and take a look at some of there blanks. Maybe build a couple of new rods. What is the cost of building a rod other than the blank? I know I will need eyes, real seat, and handle...but what can I expect to spend on a complete build?

[Rick]

I will be at the PDX show next weekend. I will have to stop and take a look at some of there blanks. Maybe build a couple of new rods. What is the cost of building a rod other than the blank? I know I will need eyes, real seat, and handle...but what can I expect to spend on a complete build?

Depends what you want to build. Cork grips and a reel seat for a basic steelhead rod can be done for $25-30. Figure guides at $1-2 a piece and a tip for $2-3. Epoxy for the reel seat and cork $10-15 and epoxy for the thread another $10-15.

You can probably find a kit with all the components for less than buying things individually.

[ML_Hunter]

I think I'm going to start looking for all the parts to start building rods...Bullkllr, thehunt, thanks for all the info (on this topic and the topic I posted about having one built). The one I was asking for a rod builder on, I'm still going to have that one built. Its for a very special occasion and there are about 4 of us who are all putting out money into it. We are just looking for the right blank now then I will need to contact a builder to get it wrapped.

That said, I was going to also have one built for my Dad...But now I think I'm going to build him one. I think he will appreciate a rod I built much more than one purchased. He has been salmon fishing for about 20 years, He really like the lamiglas and gloomis rods I always bring out, and he used the heck out of my rods every time i'm with him, but he will never buy any rod himself that cost that much, and wont even take one as a gift. So I figure if I build him one, he can finally have a high quality rod and not fuss about the price lol.

This sounds fun...Im excited to get my first rod built now 

[TheHunt]

When you build your own rod the only thing I can tell you is that the wrapping finish which is like a lacquer.  DO NOT PUT TOO MUCH ON THE THREADS...    I did this on my first rod.  It cracked the lacquer and looked like crap.  After that I was a minimalist with that thread finish.