Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Hillbilly270 on May 17, 2009, 08:44:16 PM

Title: who makes rods
Post by: Hillbilly270 on May 17, 2009, 08:44:16 PM: is there anyone on here that makes rods.....for sale?
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: coonhound on May 17, 2009, 09:14:00 PM: Why don't you do it yourself? It really isn't all that tough to do and it's pretty rewarding to use a rod you built yourself. What type of rod are you wanting built? I'm sure there's several of us that would be willing to give you some tips.

Coon
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: huntnphool on May 17, 2009, 09:18:38 PM: If you are looking for quality work this guy has built me a few that have turned out beautifully.

http://www.andersoncustomrods.com/
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Hillbilly270 on May 17, 2009, 09:33:58 PM: I would like to make one myself but have never done it and i didn't want to buy a bunch of stuff and not have it work right.
I want to make a 6 or 6.5' casting rod, medium light action for summer steelies, Jack fishing, and trolling for trout. who makes a good blank?
what size guides do i need and how do i figure spacing?
Do i really have to get a motor to spin the rod?
what am i missing?

thanks for the help.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2009, 09:49:23 PM: talk to jim at fethastyx.
http://www.fethastyx.com/

he's in woodinville...good people.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2009, 09:50:24 PM: you might also want to think about something a couple feet longer too for doing what you are wanting to do with it. at least 8'
:twocents:
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Hillbilly270 on May 17, 2009, 09:56:40 PM: thanks jakelope... i already have a bunch of casting rods for steelhead and salmon, but i think a 6.5' or 7' for an occasional summer run trip would work just fine. If it breaks i guess that is my bad. anyway, i will definately look into this link you gave out.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2009, 10:03:46 PM: i don't worry about it breaking, i'd worry about not being able to feel much with a short rod.
i use a 10' ultralight for summer runs with 6lb test if i'm not using my fly rod.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: popeshawnpaul on May 18, 2009, 11:54:23 AM: I do it all the time, but not for money or sale. I've probably made about 30 rods. There are some tricks to it.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: NRA4LIFE on May 18, 2009, 11:57:47 AM: Has anyone tried to use Black bamboo? I got a ton of this stuff that's going to meet the business end of the backhoe pretty soon.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: huntnphool on May 18, 2009, 12:34:31 PM: I'm with Jackelope, I would go 8' min.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Happy Gilmore on May 19, 2009, 10:11:03 AM: Buy a blank from the guy in Port Angeles/Sequim. They are sweet. They make blanks for a major line but, are not allowed to say who. I have a 8-9 I haven't built yet that cost me $125. I have heard rumor they are G-Loomis but, I don't really know the truth. Really good folks with all the hardware you need to build one. Don't be shy about building one. It is pretty easy. I built my Sage RPL 4 weight. Took a few weeks of doing an hour or two here and there...it is something to be proud of later and you can pass on to your family....Hap
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: M_ray on May 19, 2009, 11:00:41 AM: For what you want to do I use 3 different rods! It won't be hard to make one that will cover all you mention there just tough to have one that does it all well! 8ft for steelies and then that's a tad too big for jacks and way too big for trout, If you go in between and get the rod you are mentioning then you are good for trout too light for jacks and way too small & light for steelies :dunno:. The minimum I have used for Summer run Steelhead is an Sage 7ft 4" casting wich is closer to covering all your bases you mention. I also use that rod for bass but it's a tad to big for trout but handles jacks well and steelies ok.

Talk to Don Payne @ 253-833-0767 ... he lives in Auburn and he will make you anything you want ! he is an excellent teacher and will help however you want even if it's just to do part of the rod and he finishes it ... doesn't matter. He does custom work for people all over the world or he'll make it plain!

The size of guides is a little dependant on the length and action of your rod. There is also a formula for guide spacing based on the length and type of rod (spinning vs casting for instance) and yes you do need a rod turner to finish the epoxy unless you would like to turn it by hand for about 2-3 hrs. A rod jig is nice for doing the guides but not neccassary, you could do it the old fashioned way with a box and a big heavy book to hold your thread.
Personally I use Sage rods and don't want my guides to look like I used a box and a book but I did make my niece her first trout rod that way once back in the day just for fun, but I still used a rod turner to finish the epoxy. I hope this answers some of your qustions, good luck!
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Hillbilly270 on May 19, 2009, 04:46:38 PM: thanks guys.
i guess i am really looking for more of a trout rod being that i already have several steelhead rods. I will try giving Don a call one of these days.
thanks,
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: FrankDown on May 31, 2009, 01:51:33 PM: You dont need a motor or a wrapper if you dont want to. Ive built and rebuilt a lot of rods. Im not sure how many Ive made over the years, or how many Ive recycled.

A phone book and some wood blocks will work for the thread tension if you want to try a rod that way to see if you like it. Ive wrapped several rods without using anything to tension the line. You will have to keep turning it though when its drying to keep the epoxt smooth and round or it will want to drip off.

I ahve found a couple good damaged rods and stripped them down and re guided them. You usualy dont have to put another grip on tehm but Ive dont that before. Its not all that difficult. It may take a little gettingused to, but I had to get used to my Sully wrapper when I got it too though.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Alchase on June 01, 2009, 10:01:25 AM: 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.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: FrankDown on June 01, 2009, 10:30:37 AM: 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.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: fishcrazy on June 12, 2009, 09:02:37 PM: 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
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: BigGoonTuna on June 13, 2009, 12:04:16 AM: 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.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: elkspert on June 13, 2009, 09:49:55 AM: 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.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: rasbo on June 14, 2009, 08:04:53 AM: 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!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: shoot-em-dead on June 14, 2009, 08:09:23 AM: Hey Rasbo, mistakes are only dumb if you didn't learn something from them.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: trailtreker on June 15, 2009, 11:38:07 AM: 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.
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: Sporting_Man on June 20, 2009, 10:17:03 AM: 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!
Title: Re: who makes rods
Post by: BigGoonTuna on June 20, 2009, 11:07:35 AM: 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.