Question for the custom rod makers

[Sota]

I was wondering. Of your own personal rods. How many did you make yourself? Is it easier to order up a factory rod? Easier meaning to free you up to build rods you are making money building. 
if that makes sense 

[Reel]

What you are asking is : Does a guy that builds rods go to the store to buy a rod because it's easier than making his own and it also gives him time to build rods for others and make a lot of money ?

 

No, most rod builders start because they do not find the exact type of rod they want and when they get good at it, their friends ask them to build a rod for them.  

[Sota]

Well like for me. When I was young and the earth was still cooling. I got into building and adjusting golf clubs. When I first got into it. I could make knock off clubs way cheaper than buying off the rack clubs.  As I got busier it got easier to pick up the phone and order what I needed from the rep. 

[Scott F]

For a while, I was using nothing but custom made rods that a friend would build for me for just the cost of materials. He was building rods because he could make them for less than half the cost of buying it from a store and he could make the rods that suited him.

[crypt]

I built my first one for me because I wanted a specific rod for worming. built a few for friends, but mostly I build for me because I like to. and I don't do it for money.I will build for a friend if asked.

 I have 8 that are my builds.

[Sota]

Sounds like y’all got into building cause of need of something not made. Maybe one day I’ll try it out. 
What was the hardest thing to learn about building rods? Did you start building from a kit? Like they sell on MudHole website 

[spoonplugger1]

Two out of over 25, they were bartered to me for work done, G Loomis IMX steelhead rods. One less then a year old the other brand new still in the wrapper.

[MickD]

I use no rods other than those I have built.  I have probably over 30 rods.  I still have a few factory rods, but have not used them in years.  Doesn't matter if it's easier to order up a factory rod.  Since I have been building for many years I know what I'm going to get for power , action, and ergonomics when I build my own.  Over 30 plus probably another 10 with my son, daughter in law, and grandkids.  

[Bazoo]

I've been thinking about trying my hand at building rods. That said, I don't have a specific need. I am happy enough with factory rods.

 

For me, it'd be a crap shoot to get something that I would end up liking and needing.

 

What about the money involved? If I am happy enough with several of the sub $100 dollar rods that are available, is there any way I'd actually save money?

[Skeet6]

6 hours ago, Bazoo said:

If I am happy enough with several of the sub $100 dollar rods that are available, is there any way I'd actually save money?

It similar to fly tying. It takes quite a while to amortize the cost of the equipment before you see any "savings". So, in the long run, you will save money and be able to build exactly what you want. In the short term, if only to build a few rods, no, you won't save money.

 

It's about the enjoyment of building something that you can't get elsewhere, and it's fun!! See if someone local to you builds and have a look over his shoulder. You'll know!

 

Mike B

[Sota]

13 minutes ago, Skeet6 said:

It similar to fly tying. It takes quite a while to amortize the cost of the equipment before you see any "savings". So, in the long run, you will save money and be able to build exactly what you want. In the short term, if only to build a few rods, no, you won't save money.

 

It's about the enjoyment of building something that you can't get elsewhere, and it's fun!! See if someone local to you builds and have a look over his shoulder. You'll know!

 

Mike B

It’s like the mad scientist thing. Always tinkering with something. 
 My tinkering with golf clubs started with the old persimmon woods. I refinished them. Then I got into restarting clubs. Then building them. I was always trying things. I’m sure if I got into rod building it would be the same thing. Always messing around with something. 
 A little side note. I wonder how many know G. Loomis made golf shafts way back when. I think he started out in golf before doing fishing rods. If I remember right. I could be wrong that was long ago. 

[MickD]

9 hours ago, MickD said:

know what I'm going to get for power , action, and ergonomics when I build my own.

should have mentioned two other factors.  The weak spot in most factory rods is the bond between the grip/reel seat and the blank.  They often use inferior quality arbor/shims and not enough epoxy.  I don't make those mistakes, and prep the surface of the blank for better adhesion.  Secondly, cork quality varies all over the place, and natural cork these days is always filled to make it look decent, and that filling almost always comes out with extended use.  I know the quality of the cork before I build and have probably thousands of options in what I choose to use, between the quality level of natural cork and the many types/styles/colors/thicknesses of exotic burl cork rings.  

[spoonplugger1]

Nothing happens in a vacuum, the look of factory rods, guide trains, components all change when some custom builder, tournament angler using custom rods, etc. starts making money off the rods and their performance. All the rod building trade shows and the rods displayed by the builders are photographed and looked over for ideas to put into production, rod building forums and publications are watched and subscribed to all the time. The split grip, skeletonized reel seats, new guide layouts, no fore grip, etc. designs were on custom rods for years and sometimes almost a decade before you seen then on the store racks.

I was always able to make good money on a high end fly rod, and some types of gear rods. Sometimes you just get just above break even, then you are doing it to keep busy and learn a new decorative layout or technique. It's also regional, and species specific to whether you have a decent sized buyer base, the eastern areas and southwest salt has a decent base of people receptive to custom rods, much of the west and Pac. NW not so much.

[Alpster]

Of the 9 or 7 thousand rods I have, they are my own builds except for one drop shot and one fly rod. I have nothing against factory made rods, I just like to make my own.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Saving or making money are the worst reasons to get into rod building. At some point in the journey you may achieve one or both but you’re not likely to succeed or last if that’s your sole motivation. I have a few factory rods but they’re relegated to loaners for the most part 

[1984isNOW]

@Alpster of those 9 thousand rods you've built what are your top 3 and why?

[Alpster]

On 10/13/2024 at 5:59 PM, 1984isNOW said:

@Alpster of those 9 thousand rods you've built what are your top 3 and why?

Quite hard to choose just 3, but if I had to today, probably...

 

Lamiglas MGX844: You can throw nearly any bait with it. My go to for T-Rigs & Jigs.

I would have put the Loomis GLX MB844, but I didn't build it, I just replaced the guides and re-wrapped them in a spiral fashion. I thing this is the 'Gold Standard'

 

G-Loomis Slate (IMX) 904 7'6" "Flippin Stik": Awesome for flipping in heavy cover, can throw frogs and small swim baits and umbrella rigs.

 

G-Loomis Slate (IMX) SJ722 6' Med Fast spinning rod for light baits, finesse worms & shakey heads.

 

9 thousand may have been an exaggeration, but there's a bunch and I have sold and given away many. 

[papajoe222]

Of the rods I own, only 1/3 of them are ones I've built. Of the rods I regularly use 1/2 are builds. The other half are St.Croix. I've added diamond and chevron butt wraps to a few of those to personalize them.  I don't sell rods, but do build for friends and family. I have on on the dryer now that's a Christmas present for my grandson.