Looking for custom rod builder 2025

fourbizz reply :

After 4 months and a botched rod, I dumped my rod builder today. Absolutely terrible customer service, and he would not listen. Tried to get ahold of him for over 3 weeks without a return call or email. I left him a VERY UNFRIENDLY message demanding a refund, and got a call back in 15 minutes :. Anyway, thats over and I have four or five bills floating around for a rod.

Who have you had success with? I don't need somebody who can deliver in a week, I just want somebody who will deliver WHEN THEY SAY THEY WILL! And who will build me exactly what I ask for.

Any help would be much appreciated.

burleytog reply :

I will build you a nice rod. And $500 just happens to be my going rate.

Delivery will take place on 7/1/25.

Catt reply :

I think there is 1 or 2 around here some where

mike bat reply :

i have one from reel mech ..... i love it ... he made me a split grip 7 ft med hev jig stick .... i really like his work .... easy guy to deal with too ;D

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

I can refer 2 members

Flechero- Made me my first freshwater custom rod and I couldn't be happier with it. (pics below)

Reelmech, would prefer to build for someone he can fit the rod to in person as opposed to an on-line relationship

BOTH do top notch work.

fourbizz reply :

I didn't think that Flechero built for people.

nycgrip reply :

i believe kistler does custom work if you know what you want.

lubina reply :

I have seen pics of ReelMech rods and they look phenomenal, he has some for sale at his web page frecuently and in my expirience from working on my reels, no one can ask for a better service.

This builder made 4 rods for me on 2004-5. I'm very satisfied with him. I have two friends who also use him and I know he has done some rods for the Tackle Tour team that are use in reels and lures testing.

http://www.georgescustomrods.com/index.html

Good luck

guest reply :

fourbizzle,

I remember a quote that you made on another thread on Powell Max rods..

Quote
The best rods I have ever owned.
Simple as that.

Maybe you should look there for your rod...

Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!! 8-)

flechero reply :

Quote
I didn't think that Flechero built for people.

Well, I try to only build 1 or 2 per month. (since I have a wife and a day job) If you are looking for a casting rod, chopped and dropped, I might be one to consider. I'm backed up for about 2 months right now.

What are you looking to have built? That may change who you want to consider.

-keith

guest reply :

I have one rod from Reelmech and love it. Showed it off to a bunch of guys this last weekend and they couldn't believe the weight and feel. Custom rod, my vote goes to Reelmech.

guest reply :

While we are on the subject of cutom rods.....I had a 7ft spinning rod made with a HVY/Fast St croix Blank and the handles were made from cedar. Boy, this rod is beautiful. Now the bad news......the first time I fished with this BEAUTIFUL rod with cedar handles I was using braid and carolina fishing. The first three times I attempted to set the hook, the rod jumped out of my hands. I could not hold onto that beautiful cedar handle to save my life. Now, I have a custom cedar handled rod with my name on the blank that sits in my garage. I guess I could wrap the handle, but that kinda defeats the purpose of the custom rod. Lesson learned. This is not a practical rod usless you want one to just look at.

flechero reply :

Quote
The first three times I attempted to set the hook, the rod jumped out of my hands. I could not hold onto that beautiful cedar handle to save my life.

2 options for you that won't "ugly it up"

1. try wax - as in surfboard wax. That will give you some traction. (Can be ordered online, it's cheap and requires no mods to the handle)

2. #0000 steel wool just enough to break the slick surface. I don't think you'll need to do this if you try #1

It would be a shame to waste a custom...

guest reply :

Quote
I didn't think that Flechero built for people.

Russ ain't people

guest reply :

I am quite familiar with surfboard wax from back in my younger days on the coast surfing. I wouldn't recommend using it on your rods grips. Just sitting it in the direct sun will soften it up enough were it becomes a sticky mess. In extreme heat it will actually run off onto anything the rod is sitting on.

I would say, a cork wrap done properly, or a flocking. But then you paid for custom turned Ceder grips. I personally would suck it up, and would hang the rod on the wall and get into another built the same way only with cork grips. I have built plenty of rods that I would just hang, and then build again to the ideas that came afterwards..

Call it a learning experience...

Tight Lines All!!!

fourbizz reply :

Quote
fourbizzle,
I remember a quote that you made on another thread on Powell Max rods..

Quote
The best rods I have ever owned.
Simple as that.

Maybe you should look there for your rod...
Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!! 8-)

They don't make what I want.

guest reply :

Quote

Quote
I didn't think that Flechero built for people.

Russ ain't people [/quote

Did you ever eat dinner with him?

fourbizz reply :

Flech, I will shoot you over what I am looking for in a PM. I have contacted a couple other builders to see who is interested/available. Thanks man!

Seems like alot of builders are just arrogant old codgers that want to tell me what I want!

guest reply :

Quote
Flech, I will shoot you over what I am looking for in a PM. I have contacted a couple other builders to see who is interested/available. Thanks man!
Seems like alot of builders are just arrogant old codgers that want to tell me what I want!

Unlike Fletch: an arrogant young codger

fourbizz reply :

Now that was not the point I was trying to make muddy >

JayW reply :

Quote
Flech, I will shoot you over what I am looking for in a PM. I have contacted a couple other builders to see who is interested/available. Thanks man!
Seems like alot of builders are just arrogant old codgers that want to tell me what I want!

I've met a bunch of em'! Most of them (not all of them) think they are the only ones who can build a rod and then they turn you down when you ask them to build you one. That's why I started building my own rods about 10 yrs ago. Now I can only complain to myself.

If I had the time... I'd help you out. I haven't even had the time to build myself a rod lately! Maybe you should take up rod building yourself? No one can do a better job then you making exactly what you want for yourself!

This was the last rod I built for myself a few months ago. It's a St Croix MHF blank and I built it for my new Calcutta 100.

flechero reply :

fourbizzle,

Glad to help you out if I can.

Muddy,

was that a drive-by mooking? ...lol

guest reply :

fourbizzle,

Quote
They don't make what I want.

Would you mind posting some of the details of what you want. There are about five or six of us "arrogant old codgers" hanging out here..

cajun1977. reply :

ive never had a rod custom built, what sort of attributes would you get in a custom build that a nice quality rod would not have?

JayW reply :

Quote
ive never had a rod custom built, what sort of attributes would you get in a custom build that a nice quality rod would not have?

Spined, better guide placement, top quality components, balanced for your reel, better looking, better performing, one of a kind, ETC...

flechero reply :

Quote
ive never had a rod custom built, what sort of attributes would you get in a custom build that a nice quality rod would not have?

Almost anything you would want... the idea of a custom is that you can (should be able to) spec it out to address whatever needs/wants you have. (within reason of course)

For starters, you should get a rod that is spine oriented, the blank has been prepped, guide feet ramped and smoothed (and recolored depending on thread and CP usage) guide spacing based on static deflection (not some chart- all blanks are different)

For example, you could spec out a split grip of any size/shape/material or grade of cork (maybe you have large or very small hands and standard grips are too big/small), for that matter you can get inlays or decorative trim work in the cork. Spiral wrapped one of several ways, your own colors or a particular blank (even a particular blank trimmed to adjust it's character), guides of your choice, any sort of decorative threadwork or decalling under the finish, marbling, personalization, balancing, etc., etc., etc.

For every time you held a rod and said "I wish this rod ________" With a custom, that wish becomes reality. You are only limited by your own imagination and the builder's abilities.

Captain Chaos II reply :

Anyone ever try a G Blanks "custom" or the one guy on ebay, RW Rod?....link here:

http://stores.ebay.com/R-W-Rod-Custom-Fishing-Rods

The guy on ebay has some seriously good pricing.......so wondering if it is too good to be true er what.

Thankx

5315

Looking for custom rod builder 2025

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic