Rod Design 101

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My life-long passion for fishing started at five years old in the canals and bayous of South Louisiana.  My rod of choice wasn't much to look at, but it had a Zebco 202 that would reel in even the feistiest bream and catfish. As I grew older, more experienced, and had a bit more money to spend, my rod and reel got a bit better!  But, I have to admit that throughout all of my early fishing adventures, I never knew much at all about different types of rods, materials, specifications, and differences in rods, based on the type of fishing that I was doing! Why should I?  I was catching fish (sometimes) and the specifications of the rod weren't something that I paid much attention to.

Then, I started building rods and my interest in the designs, components, science, and quality grew stronger with every rod I designed and built.  Honestly, you can't be a high-quality custom rod builder if you don't know your craft, including how to design the perfect rod for the customer!

I have found that most of my clients know very little about rod design and specifications. Of course, some anglers do, but they often don't know about the newer advances in materials and components including carbon fiber, graphite composites, epoxy adhesives, and finishes.  That's where my role comes in!  

As a 40-plus year Career and Technical teacher, I can walk anyone through the design of a custom rod, whether it is for personal use or as a gift to someone else. No judgement, no pressure, just a bit of conversation and a handful of pertinent questions.  I have outlined the process below.  Take a look at it and shoot me a message, an email, or give me a call.  Working together, we will make this a fun experience.  I may even learn a thing or two from you!

Who will be using the rod?  

Is the new rod for you? A spouse or special friend?  Is it for your dad, mom, or a sibling that argued with you fishing as a kid or that you recently reconnected with?  Is it for your son or daughter who has discovered or mastered the excitement of fishing or who has accomplished a significant milestone? After building hundreds of custom rods, I have seen it all!  Many times, I have heard clients say that they always wanted a custom rod but never thought they could have one built.  Others have said that they have many custom rods and they want another one.  But, one of my favorite comments is when the client says that this will be the best gift that they have ever given to their special person.

How will the rod be used? 

Will it be for saltwater, freshwater, or both?  What fish will be targeted?  Where will it likely be used? Are we planning a spinning rod, bait cast rod, or fly rod?  Don't worry...If necessary, I can help figure that out!

What components will we use?  

Once again, we will walk through the possibilities! Here is what we need to consider.

• The Blank.  This is the heart of the design. We will consider length, power, and action that is best for the particular fishing species and technique.  
• The Grip or Handle.  This component is not only functional, it is part of the aesthetics of the rod. For decades, cork was the primary material used.  It is still a great choice.  But modern advances have given us some excellent choices that are even more sensitive, durable, and great looking.  Some of these choices are carbon fiber, high-density EVA, and rubberized grips.  
• The Reel Seat.  Simply stated, the reel seat holds the reel in place. We will discuss a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes that are both stylish, but also strong and feel great on the hand!
• The Guides.  The guides are expertly sized and placed to allow the fishing line to flow freely from the reel, along the rod, through the tip to the lure. Some people refer to the guides as "eyes" or "eyelets," but the correct name is "guides."  The type of guides depends on type of rod, whether it is spinning, bait cast, or a fly rod.  We will discuss materials and types to determine the best for the application.

What will the rod look like?

Now, this is the fun part! There will be lots of opportunities to make this truly a CUSTOM rod.  What colors will we use?  Will the design follow a theme?  Maybe a favorite sport or hobby?  How about the owner's name or nickname?  Maybe a slogan, emblem or approved logo.  The choices are endless and I can talk you through it with just a few simple questions and ideas.  Remember, every rod is a one-of-a-kind so let's make this one special!

This is a great time to visit the Gallery of Builds to see some that I have built previously.  Don't worry if you see something that you like but it's already been built!  There are always tweaks that can be made to keep it unique.  

ARE YOU READY? Click here to get started!