Fish Chris Posted March 15, 2011 Posted March 15, 2011 I've been contemplating building a rod (or 9 ) But 'I'm not' considering building my own rods, because I want to put together all of the greatest, most expensive parts, for some super-duper custom rod to brag about.... Instead, it's because the rods I need, are so hard to find, leastwise, in the less expensive lines..... I need some heavy action, 7 1/2 ft (7' 9" to be picky... longest possible to go in my truck bed diagonally, without being bent ) 1 piece. Blanks like this should be quite easy to find, because "bait casters" like this are really common. Unfortunately, spinning rods are not. Any suggestions for somebody considering building there first rod ? I know I would need one of those little machines to spin the blank.... epoxies, line wrapping thread, guides, handle, etc. Kind of daunting. Where do I even start ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And before we get into it, back to my original question.... Using mid-grade parts, on a not-so-high modulas blank (remember, I'm a braid guy, so sensitivity is never an issue ) how cheaply could I build a rod (if I already had the rod building machine, and the minimal equipment required) ? Would $75 be possible ? If I went much over $100, it would not make sense for me to build my own rods. I know I can buy St Croix or a couple other inland saltwater rods to fit the bill for like $150 Any advice will be appreciated. Oh hey, if somebody here wants to build a decent rod for me, for cheap, I might be open to that too. Much thanks, Fish Quote
Super User webertime Posted March 15, 2011 Super User Posted March 15, 2011 Mudhole's MHX MB941-MHX 7'10" (cut an inch off) 2.9oz 10-17lb line 1/4 - 1 oz lures FAST Action MED Power .575 Butt 5 Tip $55.00 Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 15, 2011 Author Posted March 15, 2011 That price doesn't sound too bad. But I think that might be a little light for my puposes. The Okuma swimbait (spinning) rods I use, are rated for 10-25 lb line, and 1-2 oz lures (although I throw 5oz Huds on them with no problems at all). Hmmm... Fish Quote
Super User webertime Posted March 15, 2011 Super User Posted March 15, 2011 http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/MHX/MHX-Rod-Blanks Oh they have heavier for sure. MHX blanks are really nice for the $$$$$. Quote
Super User Alpster Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Chris, Get yourself an inshore saltwater kit from mudhole. You will have all the needed parts and some instructions to boot. Kits come with a free rodbuilding DVD. Check them out here...... http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Complete-Rod-Kits/Custom-Builder-Inshore-Series-Spinning-Rod-Kits Good luck, Ronnie Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Hmm... State your parameters, EXACTLY what you want and the maximum you are willing to pay. We will find a builder just for YOU! I'm pretty sure one of our members would like to build a rod for Fish Chris. 8-) Quote
Super User Alpster Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Hmm...State your parameters, EXACTLY what you want and the maximum you are willing to pay. We will find a builder just for YOU! I'm pretty sure one of our members would like to build a rod for Fish Chris. 8-) I would be honored to build a rod for Chris, but it sounds like he's on a tight budget. It cost $60 to ship the rod I built for fourbizz coast to coast. The killer is when the rod length goes over 7 feet. Shipping almost triples. Knowing this, if he pays for the parts which would really only be the blank and guides (I will donate a custom grip & a reel seat) and shipping I would build it pro-bono. That's my best offer. Ronnie Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Much thanks guys ! Alpster, I will look into those inshore kits now. Oh, and I appreciate the offer on a rod build.... but yea... shipping on over length packages... parts.. etc. I know it would be hard to keep the price down. RW, well, if I'm either building one myself.... or, having one built for me, and I'm allowed to be particular (which I guess is okay with a custom rod, right ? ) I'm looking for a 7' 9", heavy action rod, rated for 10-25 lb test (mono rating) 1-2 oz lure weight (although heavier here might be okay. Heck, I do commonly throw 5oz Huds) Quality guides, black in color, that are good with braided line. As for finish.... a black, or natural carbon blank, with a single color, non-metallic wrap... I dunno... dark green, dark rust brown, or maybe that very dark black light purple.... Anyway, building one myself might be fun, and the kits are probably the way to go.... Peace, Fish Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Hmmmmm.... Alpster, I went to that link you showed, and it would seem like this one; MHISK-6 CIS80ML 8' 12-20 1/2 - 2 1/2 oz. Fast HLG, HLGSF Cork $99.95 .....would be the one for me, shortened 3" of course Granted I would still need some guide wrapping thread, and epoxy.... and the machine to spin the rod would be nice... not sure if it would be mandatory... But the other big "possible" issue I might have, is this; I always tell people > Never buy a rod based on spec numbers and actions you see listed in a catolog... You have to pick one up in person... even if you turn around and order it online, afterward. So, I even went to the Lamiglass website, to see if they used this blank in a finished Lamiglass rod, so that I could possibly find it somewhere, and hold one in person... maybe even hanging a Hud off of one first.... But no. They do not list a rod of these specs on their website ? So how could I be sure that blank would not build a rod that was too heavy, or too light ? Of course if I could ever get this all straight, I'd really like to have at least 4 of this same rod (two for my swimbait rods, and two for Stripers).... and maybe 1 or 2 more in the future. So, it's not like I'd be going through all of this trouble for just 1 rod anyway.... Fish Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Kits are handy for first time builders. You can call Mudhole and speak with Bob McKamey to talk about the blank and what you want it to do. It's not the same as handling it but next best thing. No need to invest in a motorized drier. You can always do that down the road if you continue building. The MHX blanks are among my favorites and the recommended applications and specs are pretty close to reality. Quote
Super User Alpster Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Much thanks guys !Alpster, I will look into those inshore kits now. Oh, and I appreciate the offer on a rod build.... but yea... shipping on over length packages... parts.. etc. I know it would be hard to keep the price down. RW, well, if I'm either building one myself.... or, having one built for me, and I'm allowed to be particular (which I guess is okay with a custom rod, right ? ) I'm looking for a 7' 9", heavy action rod, rated for 10-25 lb test (mono rating) 1-2 oz lure weight (although heavier here might be okay. Heck, I do commonly throw 5oz Huds) Quality guides, black in color, that are good with braided line. As for finish.... a black, or natural carbon blank, with a single color, non-metallic wrap... I dunno... dark green, dark rust brown, or maybe that very dark black light purple.... Anyway, building one myself might be fun, and the kits are probably the way to go.... Peace, Fish Chris, Bear in mind that Mudhole is going to charge you $20+ to ship the kit to you. I put it in my cart and standard shipping is $20.75 their standard rate plus a $9.50 oversize charge for blanks over 6'. To your other question. It is impossible to know how a custom rod will feel in your hand until you hold it. That only happens when it's finished. That doesn't mean it won't be amazing. You just have to decide what makes you happy in a rod. If lightness is most important, I'm afraid lightness is directly proportional to $. If balance is important, rod builders, if they are any good, can balance a rod any way you want. If you want the rod to balance at the center of the reel seat with 2500 size reel, no problem. Want it balanced on your finger at the front of the reel seat, easy to do. The only problem with kits, is you are stuck with parts you get so modifying them is a little harder. Because I have the tools and ability, I make the grips from scratch and change whatever I need to to get the desired outcome. Good luck on your build and if you have any questions or if I can help at all, send me a pm and we can exchange phone #s. Maybe I can talk you through some of the trickier parts of your build. Ronnie Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 You just have to decide what makes you happy in a rod. If lightness is most important, I'm afraid lightness is directly proportional to $. If balance is important, rod builders, if they are any good, can balance a rod any way you want. If you want the rod to balance at the center of the reel seat with 2500 size reel, no problem. Want it balanced on your finger at the front of the reel seat, easy to do. I'm not really worried about weight. I mean, I don't want it to feel really heavy, and clunky like an Ugly Stik, or something, but anything lighter than that, and I'm fine. I can / do balance every rod I ever own, with rubber but caps (table leg caps) and quarters. Works great. Cheap and easy. Of course I'm still looking for a pre-built rod that will work for my purposes, too.... But it seems to be a tall order ! Fish Quote
ROCbass Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 maybe you could find a trolling rod that's meant for a casting reel but doesn't have a trigger handle and replace the guides with spinning rod guides? Quote
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