2015 Rod Builds 2024

FishinDaddy reply :

I have built about 10 rods in the last 10 years, nothing fancy, mostly kits. Last week the rod locker ate one of my favorites that I built a few years ago. I think to myself, I have the week off, Mudhole is only an hour and a half from me, I think I'll go and piece together a truly "custom" rod to replace the mangled one. I mention this to Nicole and Taylor, and they say, sure we'd love to go.

I walk into Mudhole this morning with the ladies in tow and a list in my hand. I grap Chris and say, here's my list, I want to see what it looks like. Before he gets back to the counter with a few of my parts, the girls are standing behind me with samples asking; Can you do this? with the inlay? and this with that color and this grip and that reel seat and, and, and....?

3 hours later we walk out of the Mudhole with components for the 3 most difficult rods I have ever built and here they are.

Nicoles

A 7' medium MHX High mod blank, CRB split grips with a "galaxy granite" reel seat with Abalone inlays and American tackle guides with blue inserts wrapped in turquoise prowrap.

Taylors

A 7' MH Pink Crb blank, EVA split grip with an ATC holographic reel seat, Abalone inlay, ATC Ring Lock holographic gruides wrapped in Mauve prowrap.

And finally, mine

7' 10" Med Fast MHX Mag Bass blank, Cork/Composite grips on a Manley Rods "adjust a butt" , Fuji SK2 split reel seat with aluminum locking ring and ATC Ring Lock black/gold guides wrapped in bright copper prowrap.

Looks like I have plenty to do this month.

Progress photos coming.

NAbassman reply :

I been thinking about ordering stuff from mud hole and make one myself but don't know how difficult it would be.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/1/2015 at 10:51 AM, NAbassman said:
I been thinking about ordering stuff from mud hole and make one myself but don't know how difficult it would be.

it's really a lot of fun. My first one took me about 10 hours to build but that was before YouTube. Now there are so many how to videos you will be a pro in a few rods. I would be happy to walk you through it if you want to give it a go.

And welcome to the forum.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Do a test on the abalone. It didn't go on well for me. Nothing like their video that's for sure.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/1/2015 at 12:35 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
Do a test on the abalone. It didn't go on well for me. Nothing like their video that's for sure.

Did you use a heat gun? I've never done one but the guy at mudhole said go slow and use lots of heat, then put a total wrap on it until it cools off.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Yes I used a commercial heat gun but the abalone either burned or cracked. If I want that look now I'll use the Rod Skinz decal. Some of the new abalone is thinner and softer from what I hear. The glue on the one that failed for made a mess. I ended up wrapping over it.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/2/2015 at 1:15 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
Yes I used a commercial heat gun but the abalone either burned or cracked. If I want that look now I'll use the Rod Skinz decal. Some of the new abalone is thinner and softer from what I hear. The glue on the one that failed for made a mess. I ended up wrapping over it.

The stuff I bought looks pretty thick. The guys also said you could put it in hot water before you apply it to soften it. I guess we will find out soon. I will have to look at the Rod Skinz. I like the look but I don't want to waste a bunch of time.

FishinDaddy reply :

After sleeping in and a few honey doos off the list I finally got started. Being a firm believer in "If mama aint happpy noboddy's happy" I started with Nicoles.

I spined the rod and laid out the grips using a 7' Fenwick she likes as a pattern.

Using my Dewalt cordless and reamers, I reamed the grips to fit.

Dry fit

I over reamed the rear grip a little so I used masking to build it back up. Note the winding checks left in place so as to not forget them, Again.

2 part rod building epoxy

I sized the reel seat yesterday in the shop so I would not have to use an arbor. I think you get a more sensitive rod with a masking tape and epoxy build up.

all glued up and wiped down with alcohol to remove any excess epoxy. You have about 15 minutes before it's to late to clean up.

FishinDaddy reply :

Taylor's EVA grips dry fit

All glued up and clean

FishinDaddy reply :

Finally I get to mine

this is the rear grip. Hard to see but the cork narrows and is only 2mm larger than the blank at that point. I wasn't sure I could get it on the first try (that's why there are 2) but after 30 min of very careful reaming I got it.

The adjustable butt is in the background with the butt cork dry fit.

The left end of the adjustable butt actually goes inside the blank. You build it like a reverse reel seat. They come in 4 different diameters so you can match the shaft size to the butt end diameter of your blank.

Rear Grip and the adjustable butt epoxied in and fully extended.

collapsed

split reel seat mocked up

FishinDaddy reply :

and here she is

The Manley rods adjust a butt size A split grip with a SK2 split casting seat.

I was a little worried about this one but it turned out ok.

3 rods in all today. Nicoles took about 1 hour, Taylors about 30 min and mine about 2.

Inlays start tomorrow.

kickerfish1 reply :

Nice builds but I really enjoy the looks of the one you built for your self. Fortunately there are may reels with red accents that would nice on it.

NAbassman reply :

On 1/1/2015 at 11:09 AM, FishinDaddy said:
it's really a lot of fun. My first one took me about 10 hours to build but that was before YouTube. Now there are so many how to videos you will be a pro in a few rods. I would be happy to walk you through it if you want to give it a go.

That is what I am going to do,watch youtube and give it a go.I have painted crankbaits and make some chatterbaits.It is so cool to make something yourself and use it to catch fish. Looking forward to it.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/2/2015 at 12:52 PM, kickerfish1 said:
Nice builds but I really enjoy the looks of the one you built for your self. Fortunately there are may reels with red accents that would nice on it.

Thanks. I chose red because I'm going to put a Revo Gen 3 SX HS on it. There are a bunch of different color options for the adjust a butt.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/2/2015 at 8:32 PM, NAbassman said:

On 1/1/2015 at 11:09 AM, FishinDaddy said:
it's really a lot of fun. My first one took me about 10 hours to build but that was before YouTube. Now there are so many how to videos you will be a pro in a few rods. I would be happy to walk you through it if you want to give it a go.

That is what I am going to do,watch youtube and give it a go.I have painted crankbaits and make some chatterbaits.It is so cool to make something yourself and use it to catch fish. Looking forward to it.

Mudhole has a bunch of videos on their site. That's where I would start, then pick one of these to start with.

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/MHX-Casting-Kits_2

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

That red rod is tough looking man! I dig it.

FishinDaddy reply :

Thanks guys here is the first inlay

I read about several different methods to install and came up with my own hybrid method.

Instead of a heat gun I boiled a pot of water and soaked the cut piece until the paper backing was wet and peeled the backing off with my exacto knife. Starting on the bottom so the seam would be hidden I installed using a burnishing tool.

A quick temp wrap with gold thread and tape then a permanent trim wrap on each end

A 3 inch inlay above the foregrip with trim wraps and decals that she picked out.

A 2 inch inlay above that with trim wraps and a single foot spring hook keeper.

Temp wraps removed and the first coat of finish

Next - guide placement and wraps

Dwight Hottle reply :

Nice work Lee.

FishinDaddy reply :

So while Nicoles rod was on the dryer, I started working on my guide placement.

First thing I do is use 150 grit wet/dry sandpaper to sharpen the tips of the guide feet. This makes the wrapping much easier.

Then I layout the positions of where I think the guides are going. I take size 0 or size 1 tubing and slice into thin pieces to use like rubber bands to hold the feet.

If I have built the rod before I usually just go with that.

With the extend a butt, this is the longest rod I have ever built. The Mudhole guide placement chart did not really cover this type/length rod and this is going to be a spiral wrap. So I came up with my own spacing. Then I strung a Revo Rocket on it and tested it. (the Rocket looks goooooooooooood on it) You would be supprised how much weight you can pick with just the tubing holding the guides on.

For you rod building nerds (and I r one) here are the guide specs

ATC Gold/Black Nano tip top rotated 180* from the reel seat

ATC Gold/Black Size 8 5" from tip rotated 180*

8 10-1/2 rotated 180*

8 16 180

8 22 180

10 28 135

10 36 90

10 46 45

12 59 10

I may add another 12 at 65" at 0* depending how it casts and the level wind respools the line.

kickerfish1 reply :

Very informative and nice work with the write up and build progression pics. Oh, and a sharp looking combo with the reel mounted on it!

FishinDaddy reply :

After I got the spacing figured out then I start wrapping

When I get 4 turns from finishing, I insert a loop of 20 lb braid to pull my tag end back through

Tag end pulled back through under the last 4 wraps

Trim and repeat

This may not be 100 % perfect but it's as close as I can get.

Now repeat the entire process 7 or 8 more times.

FishinDaddy reply :

The finished spiral wrap on my rod with one coat of thread finish.

Nicoles grip inlay with the first coat of finish on it and dried.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Good job on the abalone. I forgot about boiling as the veneer is supposed to soften with heat. at any rate I'm glad it worked for you

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 10:40 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
Good job on the abalone. I forgot about boiling as the veneer is supposed to soften with heat. at any rate I'm glad it worked for you

It's all your fault... I was going to use a heat gun until your post. It got me to do some more research and I found the hot water trick in a couple of places. It was actually pretty easy after the first one.

FishinDaddy reply :

I took the red rocket rod out for a test drive this morning. Unbelievable casting ease and distance. It's now back in the workshop for some finishing touches.

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FishinDaddy reply :

I worked on Taylor's inlays this afternoon. On the dryer with the first coat of finish.

buzzed bait reply :

these are awesome! i wouldn't even know where to start with a rod build, but you obviously have it down! that red one with the extend a butt looks phenomenal. nice work. i can imagine it must be very rewarding fishing with a stick you built from scratch....

clayton86 reply :

That's awesome I can't wait to start doing my own rods now that I got the set up. Why the spiral guide wrap though

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/5/2015 at 8:58 AM, clayton86 said:
That's awesome I can't wait to start doing my own rods now that I got the set up. Why the spiral guide wrap though

1) In theory, all blanks have a center spine, and a casting rod, with guides above the rod, will twist under load. Under heavy loads (like a 5 pound fish and 10 pounds of salad) a rod with lots of twist will normally break within 6 inches of the tip.

Imagine taking a small pvc pipe, tying a rope to it, winding the rope around the pipe, tying a heavy weight to the other end, and picking the weight up by the pipe and rope. The pipe is going to try to twist until there are no more wraps around the pipe and the weight hangs straight below it.

A spinning rod, with the guides below the blank, imparts no twist on the rod.

A spiral wrapped rod gives you the power of bait casting reels combined with the strength of a spinning rod, in one combo.

That's the theory.

2) The real reason is I just think they are cool and wanted to build one.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/5/2015 at 6:29 AM, buzzed bait said:
these are awesome! i wouldn't even know where to start with a rod build, but you obviously have it down! that red one with the extend a butt looks phenomenal. nice work. i can imagine it must be very rewarding fishing with a stick you built from scratch....

It is very rewarding and why I do it. Plus I can have a $400 rod for $160 in parts and a few hours of my time.

ksboy reply :

VERY nice build. Must be a few bucks laid out in the beginning for equipment to start. Would you mind sharing the initial startup cost??

buzzed bait reply :

On 1/5/2015 at 10:18 AM, FishinDaddy said:

1) In theory, all blanks have a center spine, and a casting rod, with guides above the rod, will twist under load. Under heavy loads (like a 5 pound fish and 10 pounds of salad) a rod with lots of twist will normally break within 6 inches of the tip.

Imagine taking a small pvc pipe, tying a rope to it, winding the rope around the pipe, tying a heavy weight to the other end, and picking the weight up by the pipe and rope. The pipe is going to try to twist until there are no more wraps around the pipe and the weight hangs straight below it.

A spinning rod, with the guides below the blank, imparts no twist on the rod.

A spiral wrapped rod gives you the power of bait casting reels combined with the strength of a spinning rod, in one combo.

That's the theory.

2) The real reason is I just think they are cool and wanted to build one.

that was a great way of explaining it, makes sense to me.

On 1/5/2015 at 10:21 AM, FishinDaddy said:
It is very rewarding and why I do it. Plus I can have a $400 rod for $160 in parts and a few hours of my time.

i like the money saving aspect and having high end gear at the same time, very cool.

lmbfisherman reply :

Very awesome thread and nice rods you have built so far. Your thread has inspired me to research more on rod building...I'm motivated to do my own build now. Keep up the good work!

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/5/2015 at 10:19 PM, ksboy said:
VERY nice build. Must be a few bucks laid out in the beginning for equipment to start. Would you mind sharing the initial startup cost??

I have the equivalent of this http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Tool-Kits/Rod-Building-Small-Business-Start-Up-Kit

Which is $140 plus maybe another $100 or so in specialty tools to make things easier that I have added over the years.

You can build a rod with less tools but this I the minimum I would recommend.

You can buy a rod kit, which includes all parts, for less than $100.

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/MHX-Casting-Kits_2

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/6/2015 at 5:55 AM, lmbfisherman said:
Very awesome thread and nice rods you have built so far. Your thread has inspired me to research more on rod building...I'm motivated to do my own build now. Keep up the good work!

Once you build your first one, you will have an expensive addiction that has no cure.

Batson reply :

On 1/1/2015 at 10:51 AM, NAbassman said:
I been thinking about ordering stuff from mud hole and make one myself but don't know how difficult it would be.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC86UVTgjyVmqEhUBD-Qb71A

Also check out our complete line of products: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com | www.alpsforecast.com | www.northforkcomposites.com

Strothman reply :

On 1/5/2015 at 10:19 PM, ksboy said:
VERY nice build. Must be a few bucks laid out in the beginning for equipment to start. Would you mind sharing the initial startup cost??

The local man that taught me everything i know started wraping on a cardboard box, and after I called him a liar, he proceded to prove me wrong. He has build some of the most beautiful spoonbill snaggin rods ive ever seen, with a homemade hand wrapper and a sewing machine motor dryer. Ive got just the CRB hand wraper and dryer, i think my first order from mudhole was right at $200 and that was with the price of ordering a MHX X-Glass crankin rod. So just as FishinDaddy said, right around $140, and just as he said, ive got some more tools like the power mixer, its probably the best $35 ive spent, you dont have to sit and whip bubbles into your epoxy, it does a nice job in my opinion. I was nervous trying it, but cant get enough of it now, and about to become a mudhole wholesaler haha.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

To get started as a hobby builder you don't need a lot of tools. I've also wrapped on a notched out cardboard box running the thread through a book for tension. I recommend that everyone turn their first few rods by hand. This is a little tedious, but it gives you great insight into how epoxy behaves as it sets. In addition to components you'll need a razor blade, masking tape, rod building thread, rod building adhesive, tip top adhesive, finish epoxy with syringes, cheap craft paint brush, denatured alcohol for clean up, paper towels, a rat tail file/rasp to ream the grip, a fine file/emory board etc to prep guide feet. You can cut the making tape into strips to hold guides for wrapping or as I often do use a couple wraps of elastic thread with a half-hitch. You can buy mixing cups if you want, or use old medicine measuring cups. You can get by with these supplies to get your feet wet and see if you like it and probably have a lot of it around the house already.

FishinDaddy reply :

On 1/8/2015 at 8:21 AM, Batson said:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC86UVTgjyVmqEhUBD-Qb71A

Also check out our complete line of products: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com | www.alpsforecast.com | www.northforkcomposites.com

Why is pricing on the blanks not available online?

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

You have to purchase from a dealer, they'll have prices posted. Utmost tackle is the biggest one and I believe connected in some way business wise.

BeckieC reply :

Wow! Nicole's is gorgeous! Taylor's too but if I was picking parts I would have picked EXACTLY what Nicole picked. Beautiful job Lee!

Hi Salenity reply :

Beautiful rods! One thing, on the butt of your rod you may want to sand the edge off the butt cap. I had DVT build me a rod with the same grip and butt mine is a jerkbait rod and with a jacket or long sleeved shirt that "edge" catches.

It's not a big deal but it's something you may want to address...

Darren. reply :

This is a baaaad thread.

Beautiful rods, folks. Amazing work.

Batson reply :

On 1/10/2015 at 9:05 AM, FishinDaddy said:
Why is pricing on the blanks not available online?

You have to purchase from a dealer. Any one of our dealers can help you out. Where do you live?

On 1/10/2015 at 10:43 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
You have to purchase from a dealer, they'll have prices posted. Utmost tackle is the biggest one and I believe connected in some way business wise.

This is correct DVT!! Thank you. Utmost is a great shop that is located near our HQ.

On 1/12/2015 at 10:28 AM, Hi Salenity said:

Beautiful rods! One thing, on the butt of your rod you may want to sand the edge off the butt cap. I had DVT build me a rod with the same grip and butt mine is a jerkbait rod and with a jacket or long sleeved shirt that "edge" catches.

It's not a big deal but it's something you may want to address...

Looks great!!!

Bumpboard reply :

What type of guides are best to use for braided line?

Thank you for your time

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Sic or Fujis new Torzite guides have the hardest rings, but pretty much all the current quality guides are safe with modern braids. The tip top is the most critical. Abrasive sediment and other contaminants do more harm the actual line.

FishinDaddy reply :

Finally found some nice weather and time off...

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Nice job. The abalone turned out well from the looks of it, congrats.

Batson reply :

On 1/24/2015 at 9:30 AM, Bumpboard said:

What type of guides are best to use for braided line?

Thank you for your time

We have the ALPS line. They have been proven time after time one of the best guides on the market. Over 100k+ of guides we sell, we get maybe a total of 10-20 back. Kevin Van d**n even fishes with ALPS guides and has stated that he has never had a ring pop out ever!

http://alpsforecast.com/product-category/gear-components/gear-guides/

Siebert Outdoors reply :

Very nice!!!!!

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