custer

In 2003 I built my first (a surf heaver). 37 rods later I realized I was hooked. Tom Kirkman runs rod builder magazine. Each February he puts the International Custom Rod Building Exposition (ICRBE). The past several years they have been in Winston-Salem. I recommend all new rod builders go to this show. Most blank mfgrs attend with their armadas. This gives you a chance to compare blanks action, weight and power. You'll learn a ton from the hands on classes, as well as getting to see some insane thread work (shout out to the NERBS!!) And how others do rod building. Also, you save a ton on shipping so getting 1 piece rods >7' is easier. Every reason for building your own is stated above. As an example I wanted a whacky rod to skip whacky rigs way up under docks. That rod has very little handle to help create tip speed to skip light plastics. Regarding the 3.5mm guides. ..if your using braid, or fish alot of grass/muck you'll avoid the micro guides Good luck. It's really not am addiction, it's a way of life.

I fish 2500 size shimano stradics exclusively. Matter of fact I prefer the "FJ" series. They can be found on ebay used for around $100.. and worth every penny.

In SE virginia we sorta sloved the pike problem by avoiding yellow or light green crankbaits. Didn't seem to have too much impact on the large mouth, but did reduce the pike hits. ..

I rode backseat on a triton during last year's classic on Kerr. The only water I took was from the trolling motor. I fished backseat on a skeeter on the Chicahominy and we hit a large wake and buried the nose . Got quite wet on that one.. Fished backseat on an older ranger 2 years ago and loved the ride, the storage. . Well, honestly, everything. I've got a tracker 175txw and am upgrading to the Ranger.

I'm currently recovering from the 5th surgery on my right arm due to work accident. Like had been said, theres a reason your hurting. Find an orthopedic specialist on hands. Get treated I waited too long and the Arthur can be debilitating. I spend too much time watching folks fish then fishing. Not a good outcome.

Sweetwater: MHX SJ843, stradic 2500fg MHX MB843, revo sx MHX P842, stradic 2500fg Saltwater Lamiglas p844, stradic 2500 (surf/boat) Allstar 1267, stradic 4000 (surf) 7' "bucket" rod, abu 6500 (boat) All built by me.

18 lb flathead on a wacky rigged senko on smith mountain lake 12lb flathead on a dt10 on high rock. Hooked him at base of dorsal fin.I was using an mhx cb 843...amazed I boated him. Lastly 71/2' (wing tip to tip) manta ray with 10/0 circle that got hung in his gill That was the worst 11/2 hour fight. ...

Navionics web app. Best tool out there to preview a body of water and to give yourself some starting points. One other trick, go to any local tackle shops, see what's sold out and try to figure out what was on them. The empty pegs are bought out for a reason. The last tip, try to find local Web bulletin boards, folks post good info all the time. Catchemall. ...

TIme to withdraw from this incredible fund of knowledge!!! 2 questions: 1. Drop shot blank / stick bait rod, I am looking to build a spinner for this. The MHX High-Mod Gen II Drop Shot Rod Blank DS8515 [7'1" 8-12lb.] is the blank I am leaning toward. What would you recommend for this type fishing? Am I crazy trying to get drop shot and stick bait on same action??? 2. Rod for 1-2 oz swim baits. I have the MHX SW967 and it's more rod then I want to fish (for this, SW surf or tidal, that blank kicks butt) bass with swimbaits. What are your thoughts on the MHX CB-847 and limit my swim baits to it's weight range? Thanks and Happy Holidays!!!!

sometimes a 10lb bowfin makes a fishing trip...... IMHO, folks should focus more on the vegatation that they transplant from one lake to another. The lake we fished today (Western Branch in Suffolk VA) has lily pads and hydrilla sprouting in places we've never seen.... not good....

Just got done fishing a tourney and got my tail fin handed to me. I missed 7 fish (2 nice ones that actually saw hit the bait) fishing a Texas rigged craw dad from Dave's Tournament tackle. I used: 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG 4/0 Gamakatsu offset shank round bend 1/0 Gamakatsu EWG I "texsposed" the hook by going all the way through the bait, then tucked the tip pack into the "skin" In the past I mainly was a crankbait/spinner bait fishermen. But, as I've learned soft plastics get most of the pigs. What hook do you prefer and what size? Typically I use a light (<1/8oz) unpegged weight as we are flipping wood in less then 10' of water. Thanks Custer

I don't use braid on cranks b/c I've had too many tear off. I like the stretch of mono, it allows the fish to suck it in, and has enough stretch to handle jumps etc... I will use flouro on extremely clear conditions (Late summer etc) I like the Sufix TRI+ (8, 10, 12) or seguar red label 12lb....

For mono, fresh, salt or whatever I recommend the Sufix TRI+ I use everything from the 6 to the 20lb test in clear, or chartreuse when seeing the line is paramount. When I put a 7 1/2' (almost 20" thick in the middle) manta ray on the beach, pointing the rod at the beast and walking up the beach on the 20lb Tri+ I was forever sold. I can honestly say I have never broken a fish off on the Sufix. It ties knots like the knot was designed for the line.... catchemall!!

You can have high quality equipment without busting your bank by learning to build your own rods. After some practice, you can build one with less then 3 hours invested. For the range you suggest I use the MHX CB845 by Mudhole. Between the blank, guides, reel seat and grips you can have top quality for $100-$125 or so... If you want a 7'6" go with the CB905... catching a fish on a rod you built is one of the greatest pleasures in fishing..... catchemall

Where the men are men and the sheep live scared... Wakefield

The CB series blanks by Mudhole are the best crankbait rod for your money. I fish the CB 843 for lighter crankbaits and te CB 845 for the heavier ones. A friend has gone to the longer 904 series (their blank numbers are Length in inches "84" = 7' and rating "3" = 843) They are composite blanks with incredible action and feel and they seem weightless. You can build your own with quality (Fuji is my preference) guides and seat, set the handle length exactly where you want it and have less then $100 out of your wallet for your effort. Every rod on my boat is now a made-by-me Custom MHX blank... www.mudhole.com is their address. Every year there is a rodbuilding exposition put on by Tom Kirkman usually somewhere in middle NC. Look him up. It is amazing the class of rod you can fish for an extremely comfortable price. catchemall Custer

Mhx Cb845, Built By You ForLees Then $100, Leaves You More Money For Good Reel. You Can Get TheM AT Mudhole.Com