Seeking guidance on rod choice

[mheichelbech]

Beginning to think I may need a custom rod but also not wanting to spend over $150....looking for an all around rod that I can throw light baits (using a chronarch mgxl) 1/8 oz to 3/8, worms, tubes, finesse jigs, floating worms and maybe jerkbaits.  I'd like a soft tip to help with skipping but also need to be able lift bass out of tight places.

 

im tournament fishing and catching mainly *** pound bass around and behind docks. Accuracy is key as well.

 

any suggestions would be appreciated!  Happy to buy a used or or older rod as well.  My main thing is a soft or somewhat whipped tip.  Something in between a crankbait rod and pitching rod.

 

thanks for input!

Edited April 1, 2017 by mheichelbech
Mistyped a word

[mheichelbech]

33 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

Beginning to think I may need a custom rod but also not wanting to spend over $150....looking for an all around rod that I can throw light baits (using a chronarch mgxl) 1/8 oz to 3/8, worms, tubes, finesse jigs, floating worms and maybe jerkbaits.  I'd like a soft tip to help with skipping but also need to be able lift bass out of tight places.

 

im tournament fishing and catching mainly *** pound bass around and behind docks. Accuracy is key as well.

 

any suggestions would be appreciated!  Happy to buy a used or or older rod as well.  My main thing is a soft or somewhat whipped tip.  Something in between a crankbait rod and pitching rod.

 

thanks for input!

Meant to say *** pound bass with occasional larger ones.

Btw, I recognize the $150 limit probably throws me out of the custom made budget but was hoping maybe someone would have a used one or something.  

 

If custom not an option would appreciate any suggestions in the retail market.

 

thanks again!

[.ghoti.]

Check these out.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kistler_KLX_Crank_Rip_Twitch_Casting_Rods/descpage-CRX.html

[mheichelbech]

On 4/1/2017 at 6:49 PM, .ghoti. said:

Check these out.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kistler_KLX_Crank_Rip_Twitch_Casting_Rods/descpage-CRX.html

I like that!  Man, would be nice to get lucky and find a used one of those...if you know of any like that please let me know. Thanks for the response. I really like the moderate fast taper availability.

[kickerfish1]

Custom rods and $150 budget won't mix. Unless you know a builder personally who will cut you a deal on labor. Most builders will want a minimum of $75 to $100 to build for labor alone and that does not include shipping or all your parts and components. If you call up any custom builder ask them to build you a rod and ship it to you, good luck getting a quote for under $200.

 

I would just buy a factory rod with that budget.

[mheichelbech]

4 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Custom rods and $150 budget won't mix. Unless you know a builder personally who will cut you a deal on labor. Most builders will want a minimum of $75 to $100 to build for labor alone and that does not include shipping or all your parts and components. If you call up any custom builder ask them to build you a rod and ship it to you, good luck getting a quote for under $200.

 

I would just buy a factory rod with that budget.

Yea it didn't take long to figure that out.

[uncustered]

Building a rod requires neither huge skill, engineering knowledge or magic (although the ability to build good juju in a rod has value).

 

You can build a great, top of the line blank for under $150. 

 

Many companies sell blanks and components and will freely give you the knowledge you need to do it.

 

Catching a chunk on a rod (or lure) you built is an awesome feeling.

 

The arsenal I have is due to me having the guts to build my first.

 

Unfortunately, it is addictive..(as judged by the 30+ rods at my house....)

 

Contact any of the BR sponsors, they'll get you started.

[Lyman X]

What Uncustered said is why I build rods at all!

[MickD]

"Top of the line" blanks cost more than $150.  But that does not mean that you have to pay that for a really good blank.  Look at Rainshadow Revelation and American Tackle Bushidos.  + a lot of good stuff from Mudhole.com that I'm not really familiar with.

 

However, to start building rods you'll have to fund a bunch of stuff, your first rod probably will not be the winner you were hoping for, and you will have spent many many hours.  

 

Unless you are really interested in getting into rod building, I think you're better off finding a good factory rod on sale.  Sales happen all the time, and there are many factory rods that are really fine rods.  Millions of fish have been caught on them.

 

Having said all that, I'm really glad I got into rodbuilding.  It is everything Unclustered said, addictive, rewarding, but also expensive.  It's sort of like trying to justify fishing because you don't have to pay $10 a pound for walleyes.  It will end up being a lot more expensive than you initially think.  You'll want some of those top of the line blanks, guides, cork, reel seats, trim, dozens of spools of thread, etc.  Building rods for your kids and  grandkids that match their personalities and interests, rods they will be using long after you're gone, is really special. Just keep in mind, it will be a consuming hobby.

[.ghoti.]

I'll agree with everything Mick said. I'm happy I started this, and very fortunate to have a dedicated space for a small shop. For insurance purposes, I recently put together a spreadsheet, detailing what I have in this little cabin: rods, reels, tackle and rod building stuff. The total for fishing gear didn't surprise me. The total for rod building gear did.

 

There always seems to be something I can buy to either make it easier, or make it better. And I can't seem to resist.

 

Beware! The shop monkey is every bit as tenacious as the bait monkey.