First Rod Build Suggestions ........

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I have read a couple books (2 times ) and watched a video and feel like I am about ready to take on the challenge.

I REALLY want a new jig rod and am planning to shell out quite a few bucks on a blank. G Loomis IMX MBR844

Should I just jump right in and go for it??? Or maybe ease my way in with a cheaper blank??? I also would like a 6' rod for topwaters and jerkbaits and I am thinking a St. Croix Premier or mudhole has a couple liquidation Lamiglas blanks I would be interested in.

Suggestions???

[Siebert Outdoors]

THis is odd, my buddy and I talked about this just the other day. Same exact rod.

I'd go straight with the IMX.  Just before doing anything make sure it all fits right and is done properly the way you like it.

Remember I dont know anything about building rods except reading posts. But thats what my opinion is.

[Alpster]

KU,

I just built myself a split grip spiral wrapped MB844 IMX with a red maple real seat and it is sweeeet. I will fish with it for the first time at Fork next week. My suggestion would be to buy one of the closeout blanks from mud hole and the cheapest guides and real seat you can find. Most everything about building a rod is pretty mechanical and if you are good at measuring and details you will do fine glueing up handles, etc. I would practice applying epoxy to the thread on a cheap rod before I worked on a Loomis blank. For me this is the only part that really required experience. It's not rocket science but if you practice this part you will be glad you did.

When I started, I bought a lot of real cheap blanks (8 blanks for $20) and the cheapest components I could get on ebay and wrapped 3 rods and threw them away. Total cost was maybe $25 or $30. This allowed me to build my first real fishing rod with a lot of confidence. I also learned a lot from books, rodbuilding.org, etc. Take your time and make some mistakes on a junk rod, then when you build that G-Loomis dream rod, it will be perfect. You cannot buy a better rod than you can make. Learn about spiral wrapped rods before you build a baitcaster.

Let me know if I can be of any help to you.

Ronnie

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Thanks Ronnie

I was already leaning a little that way now you've got me really leaning that way.  I am also planning on all spiral wraps.

[flechero]

KU,

Funny you ask this today... I pulled out my first rod a few hours ago. I thought I hit a home run and built the perfect rod on the first try. Funny how your perspective changes once you get some rods under your belt. I laughed while looking at it today. I started with an SCIII and it does fish great, and that's what counts most.   My next 10-12 were All Stars that I got when they were getting out of the blank business.

I'd start with something less than IMX. You can get some really good blanks and guides without spending a lot of money. If I had it to do over again, I would start with either a mid level blank... that way if I screwed it up I wouldn't be out a ton of money but if I did well, it was a rod I could really use. Trust me on this one thing... if you build a half decent rod on the first try, you will probably be building a whole new fleet so there is no need to rush a $$$ blank on the first try!

I'm not a fan of kits, especially if you are going to spiral wrap it. The guides won't be what you want. Once you pick out a blank, we can help you get the right guides picked out depending on what set up you choose. Also I am no a fan of natural cork or pre formed grips... for $5 you can have a GOOD grip turning set up, if you own an electric drill. (if not, then $30 for a drill and parts) Good real seats, Fuji ECSM, are only $5 and what comes in a kit is usually a no name seat. Anyway, like I said, there are a bunch of builders here that would be happy to help you pick out whatever you need. I'm sure some have good kits but I quit looking after seeing a few bad ones in a row.

If you don't find what you want at mudhole liquidation sale- I have a few All Star and Castaway blanks that might fit your needs. I'd be willing to part with 1 or 2 if you want to try them. PM me if you are interested, or if I can help you at all on the build.

If you go ahead with the IMX, at least get a few dowel rods or old arrow shafts and crappy guides to practice wrapping & finishing on... those 2 things are the worst in the beginning!!

Good luck!

-keith

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I kind of have my eye on this Lamiglas liquidation blank from mudhole

XC72M 6'      1      10-20 lb. ROOT BEER      6      .5 $37.00

http://shop.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Liquidation-Blanks/Spin-Cast-Blanks

I think I am going to try to build a jerkbait/topwater rod. I have no experience with Lamiglas rods, so will this fit the bill. Any other blank suggestions in this ballpark .... I am looking for a 6'. I really have no preference as far as brand goes. I just want to have an adequate usable rod at the end. I am not expecting it to be the prettiest thing the first go round .... just functional. But that still doesn't mean I won't shoot for pretty. 8-)

I looked at some of the kits, but saw they had preformed grips. I figure I better practice those before "the one" . Now Keith is saying their guides probably not the best for spiral wrapping. So it looks like the kit is out.

Also Keith, could you point me in the direction of a turning set-up. I have a drill. After watching the Flexcoat DVD, I can clearly see that's the way to go.

Thanks for all the input guys. I am sure there will be more to come in the following weeks.

[flechero]

  Quote

could you point me in the direction of a turning set-up

Sure, I'll snap a pic tomorrow. One of my dryer motors burnt out 30 minutes ago... so I'm stuck here for the next hour or so, hand turning (since i have 2 rods turning) and typing a little between turns. ;D thank goodness I do finish work in the house right next to the computer. Anyway, it's basically a piece of 1X4 with a dryer hose clamp holding a drill on a small padded block. I clamped it on a rubbermaid bin to catch most of the debris. It's ugly and draws a few laughs but it's perfectly servicable. You can also use a drill press but I find it real awkward turning grips in a vertical position... so I only drill out grips, turn arbors and resize plugs and other odds & ends on the drill press.

you can use a guide kit for spiral wraps but they are way less than optimum. you'll be needing more small guides than they come with and one small but not too low for the bumper... assuming you do a "simple spiral" (which many of us like the best)

[snapperd1]

You could always go to Cabelas and order one of their cheap rod kits.   I have built several of them and they ended up being quite nice also the whole kit won't cost you more then 40 or 50 bills.

Good luck it is fun,

TD

[flechero]

KU,

Here is the ultimate economy grip making set up.   ;D  I have a 1X4 "bed", with 2 small blocks raising a little scrap 1X4 for clamp clearance (I did 45 degree the sides so the clamp would tighten better) and a foam pad which actually keeps the drill from sliding around.  The hose clamp is for a dryer hose.

I bought the hose clamp and had the scraps.

[flechero]

And here is the whole set up.  There is a stabilizing block for when I use the 1/4" mandrel because it flexes under pressure.  The 1/2" bolt has been trued and head cut off- works like a champ!  I just clamped it onto a bin (which is also my trash bin) and good to go.

Let us know if you need any other "budget" tool inspirations!  ...lol

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I like it!!!!  Portable too ..... I am thinking with all that cork dust flying around it might be a pretty good outside job?? : ;D

  Quote

Let us know if you need any other "budget" tool inspirations! ...lol

Expand  

I got got me set up with a dryer and reamers.  After I get "the ultimate economy grip making set up" built I should be ready to start buying components.

BTW - Any thoughts on the Lamiglas blank I mentioned above??  I will also need some help with guide sizing once a blank is selected.  It seems like that is the only thing I can't seem to find much info about.  Especially for spiral wrapping.

Thanks again

[flechero]

  Quote

I am thinking with all that cork dust flying around it might be a pretty good outside job??

Yes, depending on the wind.  I ususally just crack the garage door a few inches and it creates a nice flow of air from side door to garage door and I sit so any airborne dust is carried away from me.

Lamiglass is one brand that I haven't ever built... I think Alpster has built a few so he may be able to offer some insight.  

We can help you with guides once you decide which ones you want.  The heights are different depending on the specific type so you need to pick out what you like and then we can jump in.

[Alpster]

  Quote

Any thoughts on the Lamiglas blank I mentioned above??

KU,

I can't speak for the blanks that mud hole is liquidating, but the crankin rod I built for muddy man, my crankin rod and my noodle rod are all Lamiglas. I also built a 10' surf rod for a friend that's a Lamiglas. No better blank for the money is my experience. It's only a matter of time before I build another one. If mud hole has a blank that meets your specs, I woudn't hesitate to grab it. The selsection was pretty poor the last time I looked.

Ronnie

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I just checked on that blank and they have sold out of it.  Back to the drawing board

Any other suggestions for a 6' blank for jerkbaits/topwaters that is fairly inexpensive (+/- $50 range)

[flechero]

  Quote

I just checked on that blank and they have sold out of it. Back to the drawing board

Any other suggestions for a 6' blank for jerkbaits/topwaters that is fairly inexpensive (+/- $50 range)

I would check out the Batson blanks if I were you.  http://fishsticks4u.com/  click "blanks" and then "Spin Bass Multi-Purpose Rod Blanks"  They have several 6' blanks in various action and power ratings...  RX-7 from about $35  and RX-6 from about $25.  You will be pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

That's exactly what I was looking at ...... Rainshadow RX7 1C722

If I don't hear anything else, that's probably the blank I will get.

Question though ...... Can I build a casting rod on a ISB722 ?  Does the phrase "Spin Bass" mean it's a spinning blank??

Thanks

[flechero]

Sure you can, the blank doesn't know what it's supposed to be!  The difference in them is that the 'spin bass' tells you that it's a little softer in the middle & butt sections of the rod.  Ever notice how most spinning rods feel a little different than casting rods of the same power and action designations?  That's why.  

If you built the spin bass as a casting rod you would probably like it as a light crankbit rod... the softer mid would be great for lighter line and treble hooked baits.  On the flip side you'd probably hate it for t-rig fishing and it might feel funny as a casting rod.

They have the "IC" rods (the 6' casting blanks) listed under "spin jig and multi purpose"