Figured I would throw this here,because the main board is full of stuffed shirts.

Anyone build their own fishing rods? I have built quite a few now and am getting really good at it. I am about to build on a couple of the CTS blanks from New Zealand. Anyone ever try one? Or even heard of them? I know I'm straying from my normal vapid persona here but I figure maybe someone has some experience. They are said to rival the best in the world. I did the NFC blanks a lot,these are more of a saltwater application,one being a light surf outfit and the other an inshore,both spinning. I will put up some pics of the build,maybe.

Agree, building rods is really fun. I have built 3 fly rods(Hi Salmo), 1 float rod for steelhead, and done a bunch of repairs on a buddies rods. I used rainshadow blank on all but one which was a Sage. I was surprised at how expensive it is, however, you can save $ If done properly and not on high-end blanks. It takes alot of practice, and I know my stuff isn't pro grade, but it's fun and they catch fish. My steelhead float rod has over 250 fish on it, so I must be doing something right.

The rod doesn't catch fish... You can catch fish with a fence post...

Its you, the angler...

I've always wanted to do it, just looks like it might be complicated and i don't want to waste a bunch of money, so i just buy them...

Derp.

Talk with the roommate Acid. He's got a whole rod building shop upstairs in my fishing gear & fly tying studio. Chit just shoved and tossed everywhere. I haven't seen the top of my tying desk in years.

But he makes some wicked rods and can get new / special / hard to find blanks.

I started building my own rods in 1972. You could build a rod for half the cost of a store-bought one in those days when the blanks and components were all US manufactured. I've made around 30 rods or thereabouts. I don't keep track. I've only made one spinning and two casting rods that I can recall. All the rest were fly rods, including a few Spey rods. The last two rods were a Sage Z-Axis 7136-4 because I got the blank on a close out, but it was still an expensive build. And the other one was a Rainshadow 8 1/2' 5 wt, 4-piece that's really a nice rod and cost effective because the blanks are offshore sourced.

I haven't used CTS blanks, but have cast a few because that's where Meiser gets his Spey rod blanks from. He produces high quality rods.

I don't build many rods any longer for two reasons. I have more rods than I can ever use, and there are so many high quality offshore sourced rods at very reasonable prices, I can't save any money by building my own. Which was a main reason I started building rods in the first place.

I don't care to save $$$.

I just built a buddy a spey rod.

My rods are minimalist in regard to thread embellishments,and not much flash,but they look clean and sweet and I use top end components.

Yep, never been into multi colored thread and what not. I'm a stock kinda guy.

All those diamond wrapped rods do is add weight,and to me they look gaudy. I don't want to fish with jewelry. I originally got into this to try and save a few bucks,but what I quickly realized is I can't get what I want from a rod truly unless I build it myself.

My nicest build was a North Fork Composites HM 6-12 blank,with a custom handle configuration,consisting of an alps anodized butt cap,a black widow carbon rear grip tube,an alps MVT toray reel seat,no foregrip. I used Fuji torzite titanium guides,and an arowana titanium torzite top. I spiral wrapped this,and fishing spoons with it is an absolute joy,in the fall,on the Klamath river. Best rod I own. I will put some photos up of it,I'm very proud of how it turned out,it looks as good as any rod out there.

My dad and I stared building rods in the early 60s, with Herter's kits. I made a spinning rod that, with a Mitchell 300, was and probably still is my go-to rod for non-flyfishing.

Later, when he and his coworkers went to the Sea of Cortez for a week or two of fishing he made all sorts of rods. Each was designed for one kind of fish. He did get into some fancy wrapping but had a great time cranking them out. Like Acid said, you can make just what you want want.

He also made me a 3' "flea-rod" for flyfishing the small, brushy streams. A tool for every need.

Oh how cute.
Avid has reached that milestone in life when you build your own roads.
Really warms the heart.

What was the length?
I would love to get a custom rod built for hardware. Let's see the pics.

9 foot 6. I will snap some photos of it. Not sure how I'm gonna load them up as I don't use Imgur.

<3

Loomis composites 8 weight fly blanks were the bomb in the day.

Tie one up of whatever manufacturer's float your boat.

Technology is rapidly advancing in the rodbuilding world. I'm going to build a couple rods,one for surf stripers,one for halibut off the beach. Yes we catch smaller california halibut ,sometimes in a foot or 2 of water,from shore. In fact the best area for that is maybe 500 steps from my place. I'm blessed where I live.


CTS blanks are very high end . I cant wait to show off to all my friends