fishing spot logo
fishing spot font logo



Custom Rod Question 2024


fishing user avatarbassheel reply : 

Is it possible to get a custom St Croix Ltb rod with same details as 7 m/f (stock plastics rod) just made to 6'10 m/f for the same price? I didnt want to bother a builder just wanted a ballpark figure. TW has the 7'1" plastics rods for $260. It will be used for senkos,ikas.


fishing user avatarbassheel reply : 

sorry wrong section


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I doubt it. The blank is $165 alone. Off the top of my head, I'd be about $350 to build that.


fishing user avatarFishinDaddy reply : 

For $260 you can get high performance custom rod built to your specs. Not on an overpriced St Croix blank, but on a equal quality blank.


fishing user avatarMickD reply : 

What blank would that be?


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I'd probably look at a Carbon 4 RodGeeks if you want to stay in an action/power similar to St Croix.

C470MF will save you some money.


fishing user avatarFishinDaddy reply : 
  On 8/29/2015 at 7:45 PM, MickD said:

What blank would that be?

 

Either the HM-MB862-MHX 7'-2" Medium Fast for $104 

or as Scott suggested

RG C470MF  7'-0" Medium Fast for $99

 

In my opinion both blanks are equal to or superior to the St Croix.

 

Add a modest handle system for $30 and Alconite guides for $40, then you're in the neighborhood of $170 for high performance parts.  Most people build  "non blingy" rods for around $11 a foot, add $30 in shipping and you have a higher end custom rod in the $270 neighborhood.


fishing user avatarMickD reply : 

So you're going to build a rod in which you have $200 and sell it for $270?  You are very reasonable.  thanks, Mick


fishing user avatarFishinDaddy reply : 
  On 8/30/2015 at 1:34 AM, MickD said:

So you're going to build a rod in which you have $200 and sell it for $270?  You are very reasonable.  thanks, Mick

 

I'm not talking about a rod with the freaky grips and thread art that Scott and Mike and Lee Smith build.  Those guys have 10 to 15 hours of highly skilled work in a rod.

 

Putting a stock handle system on, static testing and wrapping guides, then finishing only takes a couple of hours to do. Most guys would build a basic rod for $70.


fishing user avatarMickD reply : 

I guess you guys are a lot faster than I.  I'm only half fast.  But I wouldn't do it for $70, anyway.  To enter into the arena of customer satisfaction, idiots mistreating rods, warranty questions, etc, would take a lot more than $70 for me.  I'm not being critical of your practices, just commenting more on me than you.  I think I can have an hour invested in a couple coats of CP then a couple of epoxy.  Plus about 20 hours of cure time on my single rig.


fishing user avatarFishinDaddy reply : 
  On 8/30/2015 at 1:58 AM, MickD said:

I guess you guys are a lot faster than I.  I'm only half fast.  But I wouldn't do it for $70, anyway.  To enter into the arena of customer satisfaction, idiots mistreating rods, warranty questions, etc, would take a lot more than $70 for me.  I'm not being critical of your practices, just commenting more on me than you.  I think I can have an hour invested in a couple coats of CP then a couple of epoxy.  Plus about 20 hours of cure time on my single rig.

 

I usually have 5 or 6 rods going at any one time.  I have two rod benches for handles, a power wrapper, a hand wrapper, and 3 dryers for epoxy.  I don't count drying time because I normally do that right before I quit for the evening and just let them turn over night.  My real job pays well but is extremely stressful.   $35 an hour doing something I do to relax seems pretty fair to me.


fishing user avatarbassheel reply : 

Yes I dont need all the "blingy " stuff just want sensitive 6'10"  m/f rod. Thanks guys for your input. It gives me a starting point.


fishing user avatarBatson reply : 
  On 8/29/2015 at 1:19 AM, bassheel said:

Is it possible to get a custom St Croix Ltb rod with same details as 7 m/f (stock plastics rod) just made to 6'10 m/f for the same price? I didnt want to bother a builder just wanted a ballpark figure. TW has the 7'1" plastics rods for $260. It will be used for senkos,ikas.

Yes it is.. Or sorta close to it.. But if you wanted to build it exactly, why wouldn't you just buy the factory rod? St Croix is one of those companies that build a rod correctly?? Just wondering.. 

 

Now if you wanted to trick it out with grips, reel seats, guides, etc.. then we are talking! 

 

  On 8/29/2015 at 7:45 PM, MickD said:

What blank would that be?

Or you can try ours.. Mike Thorson the head of product at St Croix for over 18 years is now our VP of engineering for over 12+ years! I bet there is something in our lineup that would match perfectly and won't break the bank! 


fishing user avatarBatson reply : 
  On 8/29/2015 at 8:50 PM, S Hovanec said:

I'd probably look at a Carbon 4 RodGeeks if you want to stay in an action/power similar to St Croix.

C470MF will save you some money.

FYI, the Carbon 4 is not a ST SC4.. The St Croix blanks SC4 and higher are made in the USA. 


fishing user avatarOzark_Basser reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 12:49 AM, Batson said:

FYI, the Carbon 4 is not a ST SC4.. The St Croix blanks SC4 and higher are made in the USA.

Hmmmm I called up rodgeeks and asked if their carbon 4 was the same blank as st croix's sciv, and they said it was.


fishing user avatarBatson reply : 

The same blank or similar? Is it the blank they build at St Croix? Call up St Croix and ask them. We could be wrong.. But we put our guides on this lineup. 

 

If it is the blank they build the Legend Tournament rod with, Then go buy this blank.. 

 

This is from St Croix

 

 

SCIV / FRS

Exceptional, high-modulus/high-strain graphite fiber featuring FRS. Similar to SCV, but without the carbon-matte scrim.

Featured in Legend Tournament®
Bass/Walleye/Musky, Legend®Trek, Legend® Surf and Imperial® rods.

Produces extremely light and sensitive rods. Not quite to the level of SCV, but very close. Ideal for the angler who insists on fishing only with top-grade rods.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 12:49 AM, Batson said:

FYI, the Carbon 4 is not a ST SC4.. The St Croix blanks SC4 and higher are made in the USA.

Never said it was. However the actions and powers are uncannily similar.

Actully, SCII and SCIII are USA made too, at least the ones they sell and put on the Premiers and Avids.


fishing user avatarBatson reply : 

S Hovanec, 

The actions and powers should be.. But that happens with a lot of companies. We have similarities due to our Designer was the Designer there too. 

 

Just making sure people understand the difference when coming into this market new. Everyone can market however they want. We are concerned with our products mainly, but some of the companies that have been around a very long time and have proven themselves time after time should stand out. 

 

Thats all ;) Carry on. 


fishing user avatarBig Bait Fishing reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 1:08 AM, Ozark_Basser said:

Hmmmm I called up rodgeeks and asked if their carbon 4 was the same blank as st croix's sciv, and they said it was.

same graphite and engineered by St. Croix , but they are similar , not exactly the same ..


fishing user avatarBatson reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 1:30 AM, pgersumky said:

same graphite and engineered by St. Croix , but they are similar , not exactly the same ..

 

FYI, there is only a few places you can get graphite from. And.. To have Japanese carbon fiber vs anything else.. There are very few manufactures that actually make graphite. 

 

BTW, Boeing buys Toray and they seem to have no problems!

http://www.toray.com

Yup thats right.. Hate to break the news to everyone! Now the layups or "Flags" and designs is where it is at. You can mess around with different resins and scrims as well, but it all has to do with the Designer and the designs. Having a designer of rod blanks that actually fishes and knows how he/she wants the blank to perform, that is even harder to find. 

 

And no way am I saying Rodgeeks doesnt make a good product. 

 

Anyways.. Enough said I think.. 

 

To answer the original question. Yes you can buy a St Croix blank and build it up with exact specs. As for building it for cheaper? Probably similar. But why?

 

Can you get different manufacturer blanks? Yes, there are a plethora of companies that have similar blanks to the one your looking for. Just depends on what you want. 

 

Now the idea with customs is that you can build it however way you want! If you want to build the same but want a shorter/longer handle.. you can do it. More guides, different seat, different grips, colors, etc.. This is the beauty of custom fishing rods!! 

 

Good luck! 


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 1:36 AM, Batson said:

To answer the original question. Yes you can buy a St Croix blank and build it up with exact specs. As for building it for cheaper? Probably similar. But why?

Exactly. When someone wants a price to copy xxxx rod exactly, I tell them to just go buy it. What I do is make what can't be bought.


fishing user avatarBig Bait Fishing reply : 

i must say , St. Croix makes incredible blanks and their customer service is phenominal !! when i cal them ( which i just did before i maid my previous post ) they answer all my questions and go above and beyond to make one feel confident in their products ...

 

another reason i love their blanks is that they have spot on tip actions and serious backbone which i VERY much love !! their SCIV musky blanks are the best blanks on the market , period . i would never consider anything for my swimbait rods then them unless it was a Thorne Bros Predator blank that St. Croix makes for them ...


fishing user avatarbassheel reply : 

If they made the length I wanted I would buy it off self. I think a 6'10" m/f would be custom right? I know I have a multitude of options beyond my question.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 2:53 AM, bassheel said:

If they made the length I wanted I would buy it off self. I think a 6'10" m/f would be custom right? I know I have a multitude of options beyond my question.

Yep. Your request is for something not made by them. I believe they do make a 6'10" M/XF tho.

 

This is where you make a decision.  go with the 4C68MF and extend it 2" or the 4C71MF and trim it 3".  I actually would prefer extending it rather than trimming.

 

Or a Rainshadow ETEC68M extended 2".


fishing user avatarMickD reply : 

I wonder what the definition of "same" is?


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 5:23 AM, MickD said:

I wonder what the definition of "same" is?

www.dictionary.com

 

:Victory:


fishing user avatarFishinDaddy reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 5:23 AM, MickD said:

I wonder what the definition of "same" is?

 

I wondered the same thing.  Then in February I called and talked to Bob at RodGeeks for nearly an hour about their blanks and the similarity to ST. Croix.  What I brought away from that conversation was this...the engineering is nearly the same but not identical.  Their tapers and transitions are slightly different because they think they have come up with a better design.  I happen to agree with it.

 

I have built less than 100 rods so I'm no expert, but for my personal builds I use Rod Geeks 75% of the time.  I like certain blanks from MHX, Batson, and Castaway, but with the option of custom paint on a "nearly" identical rod for less money,  it's hard to pass on the C4 blanks.


fishing user avatarBig Bait Fishing reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 5:23 AM, MickD said:

I wonder what the definition of "same" is?

not the same as St. Croix SCIV blanks but made from similar materials and was designed by St. Croix , so in effect it is not a rebranded SCIV blank ...


fishing user avatarBig Bait Fishing reply : 
  On 9/4/2015 at 6:10 AM, FishinDaddy said:

I wondered the same thing.  Then in February I called and talked to Bob at RodGeeks for nearly an hour about their blanks and the similarity to ST. Croix.  What I brought away from that conversation was this...the engineering is nearly the same but not identical.  Their tapers and transitions are slightly different because they think they have come up with a better design.  I happen to agree with it.

 

I have built less than 100 rods so I'm no expert, but for my personal builds I use Rod Geeks 75% of the time.  I like certain blanks from MHX, Batson, and Castaway, but with the option of custom paint on a "nearly" identical rod for less money,  it's hard to pass on the C4 blanks.

what's the warranty on rodgeeks blanks ????




13283

related Rod Building and Custom Rods topic

Batson Immortal/eternity Review/impressions
Latest Build
Custom Rod built Input needed
My Christmas Present From The Girl Friend
Let's discuss hook keepers
Rod Builders?
BFS Reel Seat
a new stick for Roadwarrior
Sensitivity Of Rodgeeks Carbon 4 Vs. St. Croix Sciv



previous topic
Custom Rods Don't Have To Be Expensive -- Rod Building and Custom Rods
next topic
Batson Immortal/eternity Review/impressions -- Rod Building and Custom Rods