who makes rods

[Alchase]

Back in the 89-91 time frame I was garage sale browsing in the Port Orchard area when I came across this gentleman who's name was Red Lathorp, he was selling various custom made rods, along with blanks.
I was telling him how I have been looking for a 7 1/2 ft ultralight, trout rod that gave even bend throughout the rod, not just the tip. I also wanted a cork handle and wire guides (back then the nylon guides were not dependable). He said he had a blank that would fit exactly what I wanted but he would not be back in town later until later in the summer. We had a great conversation about fishing.
I forgot all about our conversation. About 3 months later I was coming home from the store and drove past the same house having another garage sale. I stopped and walked up, and he says "hey, I was hoping you would show up today, I have your rod ready for you". And he pulls out this beautiful rod exactly like I said I wanted. I was blown away, not only because he remembered me and built the rod I had been looking for and the detail was incredible. I knew how tight our budget was and I knew I would not be able to pay what the rod was worth. I asked him how much he was selling it for and he said $30.00. I about had a heart attack. I asked him how he could sell it so cheap and make money? His response was classic,

 "I enjoyed talking to someone with the same passion for fishing I have."

I wish I knew what happened to Mr. Lathorp, I would love to tell him some fish stories involving his rod. And perhaps buy a couple more rods from him.
I still use his custom rod, and it is in fantastic condition.

[FrankDown]

The biggest thing that I like about building my own rods is that I can make whatever the heck I want.  If I want 25 guides on a 8 1/2 foot rod I cna do it (of course thats overkill but you get the idea, itd kill the action).  Ive made my own rods for all kinds of special application ideas.  You find a fly rod blank you like the action on it doesnt know it was made to be a fly rod, and you have a nice lightweight action rod that will throw a lightweight spinner a long way and absorb shock readily.

The most expensive thing is the rod and guides, and a commercial wrapper if thats the route you want to go.  You can make a wrapper out of pine wood, most of you that are adept enough to make a rod can make a rod wrapper.  You can make your wraps any color or colors you want.  You can choose any handle you want.

[fishcrazy]

I have well over 20 custom biult rods and will be adding several more. I like Rainshadow blanks ( the one thats made in squim) THCUSTOMRODS.COM has biult all my rods for me. their work is flawless. look them up on the web and give them a call. they will go over exactly what you want in a rod and biuld you the perfect rod on the blank you want. If you don't like the rod they have a money back gaurante.


Kris

[BigGoonTuna]

i've been building rods for a couple years now.  nothing super fancy, but my work is at least on par or better than what you get in a factory rod.

until st. croix came out with a 9'6, 6-10 rated summer run casting rod, nobody had one in production(lamiglas used to but stopped years ago).  building my own solved that quite nicely, with a 9'6 lamiglas esprit blank.

i also like to build my casting rods without a trigger reel seat.  the g-loomis(schafer) cork body spinning seats make a great triggerless baitcaster handle.  i don't get the hand cramps i used to with factory rods when i use a reel seat without a trigger.

[elkspert]

I,m a big fan of Rainshadow rods. Of course i fish with Karry and Billie alot but I think the quality and price of there rods are hard to beat.

[rasbo]

I built one rod.I took a 9 ft fly rod blank and made a spinning rod out of it.this was before I knew of noodle rods..It turned out great.First trip was in northern calif creek fishing.we would hike in and fish the creek and leap frog the truck as we went up the creek.my tuurn to move the truck put the rod in and drove off.the camper shell door, which I didnt lower,slammed down on the rod and broke it.dumb ,dumb,dumb.....dumb!!!!!!!!

[shoot-em-dead]

Hey Rasbo, mistakes are only dumb if you didn't learn something from them.

[trailtreker]

M&M Custom Rods and Repair in vancouver is really good. He is my girlfriends Brother and also works for tackle shop on the corner of 4th plain and 503. His e-mail adress is
MnMRods@yahoo.com. These rods you can have anthing you want as for color size name put on. I have also found out he also dose it for a good price. I hope this will work for someone.

[Sporting_Man]

I am afraid that you will be disappointed with that length of 6.5 or 7. I agree with most of those who advise 8-foot rod. I don't know if St. Croix makes blanks - they are great IMHO. Wander if Shof's Tackle still sells components. Try to Google them and see what comes out... Good luck!

[BigGoonTuna]

a 7' rod isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're drift fishing or using it to toss spinners.  i wouldn't bobber fish with one.