Custom Fishing Rod Build Thread

[pickardjw]

I've been learning how to wrap my own fishing rods for a little over a year now. Figure it might be fun to share some of the ones I've completed so far. Here's the first one I built:

Auburn Themed Kokanee Downrigger Rod - Blue Primary
Rod Blank - CRB Freshwater E-Glass - 7'-0" Moderate Action, Light Power, Two Piece
Guides - CRB Black Performance
Thread - Prowrap Size A - 9720 Red Copper Metallic, 470 Blue Marlin
Grip - CRB Cork - 9" Rear, 2" Fore
Reel Seat - CRB Aluminum Comfort Lock - Size 16

This rod has been great. I'm not in love with the length of the grip, I tend to like a longer one to stick in my hip or rest along my forearm. Also realized how much the epoxy clear coat darkens the colors of non-colorfast thread. I think the colors did turn out pretty good though and the metallic thread really pops in the sunlight. The tip sensitivity is great for detecting bites from smaller fish on the downrigger and there's plenty of backbone to pop the line out of the clip.

[Bullkllr]

Nice job! Looks really good.

I've built many rods over the years. Eventually I gave up on the fancy wraps after watching a few get broken.

[Encore 280]

I've got a surf rod that needs a couple new guides, the plastic liner is missing on a couple. Anybody in Kitsap do rod work?

[Blacklab]

Very nice👍

[Alchase]

I found a 7' rod with a medium action lower and a light action upper is about perfect for trolling Kokes.

[pickardjw]

Salmon / Steelhead Baitcasting Rod
Rod Blank - MHX 8'-6" HvySalmon Rod
Guides - ATC MicroWave - Single Foot - Chrome Duralite
Thread - ProWrap Colorfast 455 Cobalt, Colorfast 552 Neon Green, Metallic 9880 Pearl - Size D
Grip - CRB Cork 12" Rear, 3.5" Fore
Reel Seat - CRB Premium Graphite - Black - Size 18

Built for a coworker, this is the first rod I did with Size D thread and wow...so much easier to work with than Size A. Attempted to match Seahawks colors, think it came out decently close. The metallic thread as a border on the fore end wrap really makes the pattern pop. Pretty fun pattern, I'll probably do more of it. Saw blade wrap on that first double foot guide since he's a carpenter. He said it performed well his first couple times out but haven't heard any more feedback.

[pickardjw]

Pre-epoxy photo of the fore end wrap.

(Future rod pics will be much better, started taking pics with the old DSLR instead of my broken iphone camera...)

[Jake Dogfish]

Really cool!  I wish I had that kind of skill.

[pickardjw]

Really cool!  I wish I had that kind of skill.

I've learned pretty much all of it from youtube. And trial and error...nothing like messing up the last step and having all the thread on a guide wrap unravel   

[jay.sharkbait]

What kind of epoxy are you using?

[pickardjw]

Propaste for grips and reel seats, prokote for tread finish.

[GWP]

Very pretty rods! Nice work!
I break them (all) enough I quit buying expensive rods unless it is for someone else.
A good portion of mine have had sleeve repairs. Some have mismatched parts, but they still catch fish.
Sucks to break any rod, worse when they cost more, but it is fun to use a rod you built yourself, particularly when they are as pretty as those!

[pickardjw]

Just finished up a couple heavy duty jigging rods for a coworker. The orange gets a little mellowed out in the iPhone photos. It's pretty vibrant to the eye and looks amazing in the sunlight. Fun build, he's a carpenter so the saw blade under the first guide just make sense!

Rod Blank - MHX 6'-0" Saltwater Offshore
Guides - CRB Heavy Elite
Thread - Prowrap Size D - Colors 862 Black and 225 Neon Orange
Grips - ATC EVA Foam with eTekGo X-Tube heat shrink wrap
Reel Seat - Fuji Deluxe Graphite

[Angry Perch]

That's really cool stuff. What's it cost a guy to get into rod building with the necessary tools and equipment?

[pickardjw]

That's really cool stuff. What's it cost a guy to get into rod building with the necessary tools and equipment?

A few hundred for a wrapping stand, reamer kit, rod turner, and miscellaneous tools. Mudhole.com is my main source for all gear, components and supplies.