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I'm just curious on what everyone's favorite casting seat for bass fishing jig/worm is and what you like about it. I'm in the market for one or several and hoping to gain some subjective insight on any products out there and then do some experimenting.

So a friend shot me a message today, he knew someone with "a bunch of rod building stuff" for sale and sent me some pictures. Low and behold there is an untouched PB731mhxf and a what appears to be partial built pb691mf in the mix Along with a what looks to be a very nice set of I think batson dream reamers, a dryer, wrapping station, and a bunch of other stuff that I'll definitely use. So I ask " how much?" He says "200", I say "sold" So here I sit pondering some things. The 6'9" point blank looks like it's got a Fuji sk2 casting seat on it. Not sure if it's just dry fit or if it's tight. So I wonder ? if it's glued up, can that stuff be removed without damaging the blank? How do I go about that? I suppose if it's more work than it's worth it it may make a decent jerkbait stick? Thoughts on this blank? Second, the 7'3mhxf. I've been doing some checking around and I think I could purpose it as my big jigs, frogs in slop, and very occasionally small swimbait rod. Thoughts on this blank?

I have been reading a lot about how custom built rods often have a better performance than off the shelf rods for the price. I also want a custom, and figured why not try it myself? As a beginner, where should I start? Is it better to start with a kit or to just buy cheap blanks and components? How can I access a list of everything needed, and last, are the hand-wrappers that come with kits good, or are they usually replaced when one wants to make better quality rods? Thanks

I'm looking to try my hand at building a custom rod for casting & spinning reels. Where would I mount the line guides? On or below the spine? Would a two-piece rod work for me, or should I go with a single piece? What kit(s) (Netcraft / Mudhole, etc) should I look at? Ideally I'm looking to build a 7'6" to 8'6" two-piece rod. For my first kit I'd prefer to stay under $250.00 Thx,

What is a good company to get a custom rod from? I have never purchased one before.

So i want to start painting custom crankbaits, not really to seriously just as a hobby/ something to do when i cant fish. I dont really know much about it, but i ordered some cheap bodys to paint. I've done a little research and most people say to use an airbrush. While i would like to do this in the future, I just cant afford it right now. I've decided to use spray paint for my base colors, but i cant seem to find on any of these post what type of paint to use to paint the details with a brush. Id also appriciate any advice anyone has for me.

7'3" Heavy BCB Rod Carolina Rig 1/4-1oz Acquired this rod upon a trade and really can't find much online about it. Anyone on here have any info on it. Never heard of BCB Rods and could only find small amounts of unless info online about it.

I am a novice lure painter, (mostly using airbrush) and i have used some of the chrome paint colors, but nothing that actually reflects light anything similar to a chrome lure one would buy at the store. I would really like to get a chrome lipless crank for the beginning of the season. Any advice/experience would be appreciated.

I know I will hear from some guys on here for saying this (bc I've heard it before), but I'm a spinning gear kind a guy lol. Always used spinning gear and I love it. I've tried casting rigs before (yes I know I shouldn't practice in the process of fishing) and my patience quickly wears thin. Needless to say, it's tough to find technique specific spinning rods, so I've been looking into having some custom rods made. Is there anyone in particular you guys would recommend?

I do custom airbrushing and was wondering if anyone knew of a place to buy quality hardbaits ( jerkbaits that actually suspend with most treble hooks, crankbaits that run true, larger selection of baits).

As a bit of a preface, I wanted to get rid of my kayak because I've outgrown it. Too much gear, not enough space or comfort... It was time for an upgrade. I didn't, however, want to break the bank nor did I want to compromise in what I got next. I considered kayaks in the $1k range, but then eventually decided that I could do and get more out of being patient and buying a used canoe to build up myself. (Disclaimer: I'm a lifelong custom metal fabricator with a full shop at my disposal) I ended up finding this 14' OT Sport canoe on Craigslist for $225, snatched it up as fast as I could and started brainstorming. The basic idea was for four ultra-secure rod holders, room for a livewell, custom brackets all over for of my growing cache of gear and that it could support a real, actually comfortable boat seat. The rest of the details I can dial over time, but these were my most basic requirements. This thread will continue to be modified as projects get wrapped up, and I'm really looking forward to getting this beast finished up and out on the water! The first order of business was rod holders. I only use 4 combos on any given day. I have a few more, but these are my 4 horsemen. I wanted to design rod holders that would keep them in front of me and out of the way of my casting, have enough room between them so I wasn't knocking them into each other all the time, keep them super safe and locked in (in case of a rollover), also I wanted the tips below the bow line and make sure they're fully supported and not just bowing out all day in the sun. I also wanted to leave enough room in the middle for a livewell cooler. This is what I came up with after standing on the shoulders of giants (Fishing Rhino, 00 Mod, A-Jay and a few other guys too) and used a few ideas from just about everybody's design and came up with this so far: The bracket itself is made from I believe 11 gauge carbon steel 2" strip, has six 3/16" aluminum rivets on multiple facet reinforcements and all the faces that touch were gobbed to the max with marine epoxy to make sure I have the maximum adhesion humanly possible. The rubber clamps are fastened securely by 1/8" aluminum rivets as well. That's the only piece I've fully completed so far today, but I am loving how it keeps those rod handles locked in nice and tight and it is really easy to use with one hand. The tips will be supported by fixed golf club separator tubes (Thanks Mod 00!) held in place by similar bracketry so they can't fall out, knock into each other or anything else undesirable. Below I've shown how they lock the handles in but the angle is a bit off, as the tip tubes aren't installed yet and they are resting really low so the butts are a bit high. I'd say it's off to a solid start in any case, but what do you guys think? I love hearing peoples' opinions, and the input of others is literally how I came to finalize any of these ideas in my head. The brainstorming power and experience that can be had here is invaluable in putting together a project like this, so thanks to everyone who posted in my other thread, as well as a 'thanks in advance' to anybody who participates here. You guys are the best. I'll do my best to keep working on it & updating as I can! Cheers!! Matt

i have been planning on buying two h2o express nanos, academys highest end store brand rods. i know theyre not the best out there, but they suit me fine and the warranty they have is awesome (the rod breaks, you get a new one no questions asked). i have also been considering getting a custom built rod from a fairly new company called avcustomfishing. the guy seems like a down to earth dude and hes pretty nice, and says he can make me what i want, but im kinda iffy about dropping 120 on a rod that i wont even be able to try out before i buy, and if it breaks, im out 120 and am basically screwed until i can get a new one. on the other hand, the guy said he can make me exactly what i want, a 7 foot medium heavy extra fats 1/4-7/8. should i pay extra for what i really want and risk screwing myself out of money, or should i get something im alright with even if its not my dream rod and have a warranty to fall back on when it breaks?

I'm just getting into the idea of making my own jig heads and am very determined to do so. I've been doing a lot of research and finding that adding tin to your lead is a good way to strengthen them. BUT, what I cannot find information on is what the pros like TTI/Road Runner, Bass Pro, Sworming Hornet Lures, etc. tend to use. I would like to make sure I have a quality product, not something that is going to come up with dents and scratches when you drag it across the bottom.

Hey all, I was wondering if anybody had any special mods that they did to their frogs? I have a Plano two-tray filled with tools and tackle just for modding my frogs. My kit includes: A ruler that goes down to the 1/64th of an inch - for precise measurements when reshaping hooks or trimming skirts Strong needle-nose pliers - for reshaping hooks Sharp scissors - for trimming skirts Worm rattles - these are used when the frog needs to be louder Paper clips - I like to poke small holes right above the legs of my frogs to help drain water Bic lighter - I use this to heat the paper clips (above) to make it go in easier Spike It Color Markers - for when my frogs need a little bit more scent Lake Fork Frog Trailer Hooks - these are just for when I'm getting short strikes, but I don't want to trim down the skirts Split shot assortment - this is for emergency situations (I have only used it once or twice in three years) when the weight falls out the back of the frog Super glue - for repairing holes, tears, and replacing weights Lead fly-tying wire - this is for when I need a silent presentation, but still want some weight - I'll just wrap it around the hook a dozen times or so Green, purple, white, chartreuse, black, and brown jig skirts - these are my preferred skirt colors for replacing legs BBs - I keep some BBs (like the ones in BB guns) for when I need my frog to basically sit vertically in the water - I will just use these in place of rattles sometimes too Sharpies - I keep at least a dozen different-colored sharpies to mark my frogs whenever they need a cooler color scheme Spare hollow-belly frogs - I keep the frogs that people want me to modify, the frogs that I want to modify, or the frogs that are really beat up in this box, so I don't forget to work on them Leatherman multi-tool - 'nuff said Sewing needles - these don't really come into play too much, but I occasionally use them when replacing skirts Lots of crane swivels - these are used when replacing double hooks Lots of double hooks - a lot of times, hooks in old frogs will rust out or break - that's when these come into play Last but not least, my big ol' Snag Proof sticker - kind of just there to remind me of my first frog I modded So my question to you is - how do you mod your frogs?

Where do you buy your custom handles, knobs, and other parts? I know of HawgTech, hedgehog studio, and semper if tackle.

I am have started making my own custom jigs, (I have some really nice patterns) but I'm looking to get a fairly cheap jig mold. I don't need one with 20 slots. I have been looking at the ones sold at BPS, but I'm wondering if I might find one cheaper. Also, what would you guys bet there is more of a market for in terms of jig head style. I figured Arkie heads and football heads would be the most popular but I am eager for your opinion. I wouldn't mind any info on small lead melting pots and where I might find them. (I have been swimming through Ebay and have also read reviews for the Palmer hot pot 2.)

I getting into jig fishing and I recently purchased some jigs from NorthStar Custom Baits and i noticed that the skirts were really long and really thick and the weed gaurd is long as well. Is there any thing that you do to your jigs to either catch more fish or to get better action from your trailers or for some other reason. Thanks