Upgrading Rods - Buy Or Build? 2024
junyer357 reply :
i am currently in the process of beginning to upgrade pretty much all of my rods across the board. Most of mine are either cheaper ($70-100ish) or older (12+ years same price ranges). Since upgrading a couple to better rods i am convinced to upgrade the rest. The better ones i have (2 avids) and have used are simply lighter, more sensitive, and resposive. I can tell how much the weight matters more now in my shoulders around midday depending on what im using. Lifting and working my avid worm rod all several hours doesnt work my shoulders like my bass pro jig rod does, since it feels like a broomstick in comparison.
So here is my concern/question. Would i be better off in long run just saving up and buying a good quaility high end rod one at a time as i currently am, or would i be better off in long run learning to build rods and building them?
I am looking to upgrade 10-12 rods total spinning and casting. 5 cranks, 1 jig, 3 spinner/buzz, 1 frog, as well as a spinning crankbaits and a spinning for senkos/shakeys.
Batson reply :
The avids are great rods.. But saving up and getting better rods is always the best route! Ever think of getting them custom? They aren't as expensive as you think and you can get the rods built however you want them!
And to prove the cost factor.
Medium priced rods = $200-$250 If you built them exactly the way they appear, your cost would be in the $125 range..
Expensive rods = $400-$600 If you built them exactly the way they appear, your cost would be in the $200-$250 range..
You do have the costs of equipment etc.. but this is amortized in how many rods your building. If your going to build 10-12 rods or so.. I would say the setup for rod building would cost around $400 with a decent power wrapper and your supplies. So over 10 rods that means your equipment costs is about $40.00 a rod. But this allows you to build anything at any time in any fashion! FYI, Where rod building gets expensive tends to be upgrading your components to higher end since now you can afford it.
Ask away if you have any questions. Also go to our https://www.youtube.com/user/BatsonEnterprisesfor info how to build. If you see this video, even our President and CEO build rods!
HoosierHawgs reply :
What "low end" rods are you looking to replace?
junyer357 reply :
Some bps pro q's and extremes, on old daiwa samurai (prob close to 20yo), american rodsmiths, castaway, and lastly some blue ethos from acadamy. Thats what i can remember off the top of my head. The ethos will probably be later on since they are not bad for what i gave and may also end up becoming my gf's rods if she continues wanting to fish. I have a st croix premeier spinnning i bought a month ago my dad called dibs on as well but its a much later change out as well.
FishinDaddy reply :
Batson is dead on the money when it comes to cost savings for your personal use. You can build a $300 (retail) rod for $150 in parts. Less if you shop around and are not in a hurry.
I built my first 10 or so rods on a hand wrapper with a basic start up kit and a few extra tools that will cost you under $200. That's $10 a rod for ten rods.
This is one example http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Supply-Kits-Tool-Kits/All-In-One-Rod-Building-Supply-Kit
Custom built (but not crazy custom) rods are in the $10 - $15 per foot range to have someone else build it for you. Still under the cost of a higher performance retail rod.
FishinDaddy reply :
Another thing I forgot to mention is the supreme self satisfaction of catching a fish on a rod you either designed or built yourself.
Be warned though, it is more addicting than crack.... 
junyer357 reply :
I would agree that making them myself would potentially save money. I try to do anything i can at home myself for this reason.
My concern is sinking several hundered dollars into another hobby and then ending up with mediocre performing rods due to my skill level at it and wishing i had either bought a custom or off rack instead.
junyer357 reply :
On 7/1/2015 at 3:39 AM, FishinDaddy said:Another thing I forgot to mention is the supreme self satisfaction of catching a fish on a rod you either designed or built yourself.
Be warned though, it is more addicting than crack....
Yea i understand. I already have been making/painting lures on n off for a few years now.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 7/1/2015 at 3:42 AM, junyer357 said:I would agree that making them myself would potentially save money. I try to do anything i can at home myself for this reason.
My concern is sinking several hundered dollars into another hobby and then ending up with mediocre performing rods due to my skill level at it and wishing i had either bought a custom or off rack instead.
If you can tie tie your shoes and follow a few directions you can build rods equal to or better than 90% of the rods on a shelf. The main performance factor is the blank you start with.
For example. Last month I bought a discontinued, new old stock blank for $38. It would have retailed around $90 a couple of years ago. I have around $10 in the handle and reel seat. I put a used set of guides that came off an old BPS rod. I wrapped the guides all crooked. I have maybe two hours total build time in it.
The reason I did this was 1. I was bored and 2. I wanted to see how much performance difference the build makes. Not as much as you would think. It fishes equivalent to a St Croix legend that I gave to my nephew.
The point is, you can do it. Start with a cheap rod kit available from several suppliers and build your first one. You will see.
junyer357 reply :
Ok. My thoughts on it were that if i did get into building i would start on a few crank rods before i work on a jig rod. This way i become better before i work on a contact rod where feeling is everything. If i decide to purchase custom or off rack it would be opposite and get the jig rod first.
Dwight Hottle reply :
St Croix sells blanks across their entire line up.
Batson reply :
We sell blanks and components as well.
But here is the point. Once you get into rod building and customizing, all of a sudden you start to question the built rods that you were buying. Were they really selling a rod for what it was worth or was a jewelry on a just ok blank??
Im all in favor of built rods too. Built rods make it super convenient to buy. A few built rod manufacturers make amazing rods for both low end and high end rods.. But they are few and far between especially when you get into rod building. If you look at our website: http://alpsforecast.com/products/handle-kits/forecast-handle-kits/
Most of these "handle kits" found on built rods are all the same. Now price: Retails for $25.00-50.00 or so.. So if you buy a rod that is lets say $200 and the "handle" looks no different than the kits we have formed, are you getting a blank that is $150-175?? I can answer it by saying no! Our Eternity2 which is top of the line is in that price range. Some say its the cream of the crop when it comes to rod blanks. But looking at it for performance vs cost. You get both and build it any way you want! Where it gets expensive is saying, I don't want a "handle kit" I want a MVT Toray reel seat. Ok well that reel seat is $50.00 alone.
You get the picture now.
BDfishing reply :
What's the pricing on the Eternity2 blanks
MickD reply :
Batson is right on. I'll just add a couple points. I've built dozens of rods and never used a power wrapper. I just upgraded to what essentially is a power wrapper base and supports without the motor/chuck. So it is possible to build great rods with homemade wrappers.
If you decide to build, I recommend starting with a reasonably priced kit rather than the ultimate blank you aspire to. You will get better with every build, but will make mistakes, and better not to make the mistakes on a $150 blank. One of my first rods was built with the distance between the reel and the butt too long and I had to cut 1 1/2 inches off the butt of a St Croix SCV. Ouch! Still a great rod, but. . .
Another good forum that focuses entirely on rodbuilding is http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2.
I suggest you get onto that forum and see what people there are talking about. It has a good search function so you can search for specifics easily.
Do an internet search for "flex coat rodbuilding videos" to find some really good instructional material.
Rodbuilding is very satisfying and if you enjoy it you will have found a lifetime hobby that will reward you with rods that exactly fit what you want.
junyer357 reply :
Yea. That is my next step is to join a dedicated rod forum and read and learn. I did that when i got into painting cranks. Im leaning more torward getting into it but im still weighing out my options as well. I am checking in on costs to have some built for me instead as well. Im too old and funds are too tight to waste on quick decisions anymore. Nowdays i try to do more research and prethought into purchases and hobbies.
Batson reply :
Agreed with MickD! Do not go and try rod building on an expensive blank as your first build. Go and build on something like our RX6 or even a SPG EGlass blank.. This way you get some experience in building. So much information on how to build, where to build, etc.. Watch as many videos as you can. We will be releasing a good series on how to build.
So far this is what we have: https://www.youtube.com/user/BatsonEnterprises
junyer357 reply :
yea if i do decide to go into building i would start with cheaper blanks and work on crankbait and light crappie/creek floating rods first. Im not as concerned about feel and finish on those as i am a bottom contact rod like I am jigs or worms.
I made the mistake when i got into painting cranks of painting over some of my best lures first. I figured "eh been doing ok on painting cardboard lets give this a shot on and repaint some of my good cranks...". I now have a trashed $15 lucky craft crank that sits on my painting table as a reminder of what not to do.
junyer357 reply :
On 7/1/2015 at 9:06 PM, MickD said:Batson is right on. I'll just add a couple points. I've built dozens of rods and never used a power wrapper. I just upgraded to what essentially is a power wrapper base and supports without the motor/chuck. So it is possible to build great rods with homemade wrappers.
If you decide to build, I recommend starting with a reasonably priced kit rather than the ultimate blank you aspire to. You will get better with every build, but will make mistakes, and better not to make the mistakes on a $150 blank. One of my first rods was built with the distance between the reel and the butt too long and I had to cut 1 1/2 inches off the butt of a St Croix SCV. Ouch! Still a great rod, but. . .
Another good forum that focuses entirely on rodbuilding is http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2.
I suggest you get onto that forum and see what people there are talking about. It has a good search function so you can search for specifics easily.
Do an internet search for "flex coat rodbuilding videos" to find some really good instructional material.
Rodbuilding is very satisfying and if you enjoy it you will have found a lifetime hobby that will reward you with rods that exactly fit what you want.
Ive pretty much made up my mind to get into it. Planning to get a power turner, i can also use it when painting cranks. I will probably buy a threader to match and help as a holder. I think i am going to start on a light 6' spinning blank for rooster tails and such.
Forbthose of you who have been doing this a while, where would you say the biggest learning curves are?
MickD reply :
On 7/3/2015 at 12:54 AM, junyer357 said:Ive pretty much made up my mind to get into it. Planning to get a power turner, i can also use it when painting cranks. I will probably buy a threader to match and help as a holder. I think i am going to start on a light 6' spinning blank for rooster tails and such.
Forbthose of you who have been doing this a while, where would you say the biggest learning curves are?
I think that the application of epoxy to the guide wraps gives us more trouble than other areas, so I guess I'd say that. Getting a smooth, even edge, the right amount of epoxy
On 7/3/2015 at 12:54 AM, junyer357 said:Ive pretty much made up my mind to get into it. Planning to get a power turner, i can also use it when painting cranks. I will probably buy a threader to match and help as a holder. I think i am going to start on a light 6' spinning blank for rooster tails and such.
Forbthose of you who have been doing this a while, where would you say the biggest learning curves are?
Since epoxy application seems to give us the most trouble, I'd say finishing the wraps. Attaining the smooth, even, edge, the right amount of epoxy, finding a color preservative that works well for you. Surprisingly, some swear by a brand while others curse it. Some don't use it, and you'll need to know how to determine what the color will be without CP.
Some use brushes for epoxy, others use spatulas. I'll give you tip so you can avoid a mistake that most of us have made: Use syringes every time to measure two part epoxies, exactly the same amounts of both components.
FishinDaddy reply :
Epoxy as Mick said and thread work on smaller guides. Not overly difficult but will take some practice.
papajoe222 reply :
If you decide to build yourself, you can reduce costs even more by waiting until your supplier offers free shipping and then ordering the components for multiple builds. Ordering more than one blank will save on shipping costs, too.
Batson reply :
None of it is difficult... Just watch a ton of videos and enjoy! I think the best quote I have ever heard was from the infamous Docski!! He says: "Its not about perfection, its about progression."
If you need help again our youtube should provide good feedback: https://www.youtube.com/user/BatsonEnterprises
BobP reply :
I never saved money building rods on inexpensive blanks. Yes, I still liked a hand built rod that cost $75-100 in parts (like an S Glass crankbait rod), but I can buy finished name brand rods made in China for that price that work just as well, without the work involved. Where you begin to save actual money is rods that retail for around $125 and more. And you save lots on rods in the $200+ range. It's good to use some inexpensive parts to practice on for the first couple of rods, but keep in mind where the real cost savings begin.
MickD reply :
If you check out the other string of posts on "Advantage of building your own rods?" you will quickly come to the conclusion that building is the way to go with upgrading your rods. Good decision.
junyer357 reply :
On 7/7/2015 at 8:04 PM, MickD said:If you check out the other string of posts on "Advantage of building your own rods?" you will quickly come to the conclusion that building is the way to go with upgrading your rods. Good decision.
Yea. I have been following it as well. Ive made up my mind to get into it. Just looking and researching best way to get into it equipment/supply wise. Looking at getting an "all in one" kit to begin with that includes a threader and turner motor. Then i can see how fast i use what other supplys and order accordingly.
MickD reply :
On 7/7/2015 at 10:30 PM, junyer357 said:Yea. I have been following it as well. Ive made up my mind to get into it. Just looking and researching best way to get into it equipment/supply wise. Looking at getting an "all in one" kit to begin with that includes a threader and turner motor. Then i can see how fast i use what other supplys and order accordingly.
I have built for years using a home made wrapper, just V blocks mounted on a board and a Flex Coat thread tensioner, and have made some great rods. I just upgraded to what amounts to a power wrapper without the motor. I don't think I can keep up with a power wrapper anyway. But what is, IMHO, necessary is a low speed power "dryer" motor. (epoxy doesn't dry, it's a chemical reaction). This will allow the epoxy to harden without your having to turn the rod many times until it sets. Some epoxies, like the American Tackle Pro Kote, seem to take forever to set. Motors can be bought for very reasonable prices from Ebay, and you can cobble some kind of a "chuck" to grip the rod.
junyer357 reply :
Yea. I dont have the budget for a power turner. I was looking more at a simple dryer motor like you mention. I plan to get one i can also add a home made lure drying rod to as well for when i paint cranks. Im looking to keep my initial investment in building under $200, including a turner motor, threading jig, epoxies and such.
BobP reply :
I wrap on V-blocks, a cup to hold the thread, and a phone book as a thread tensioner. Use a home brew rod turner to apply epoxy and let it cure. It has worked on 20 rods so far, no problems. A surplus 4-6 rpm motor, a chuck made from a piece of 2" PVC pipe drilled and tapped for 3 thumb screws works. My expense for rod building equipment is about $20.
Ben Eipert reply :
Build them! You will never want to buy a store bought rod again. The quality you can get for the price is crazy good.
sarcazmo reply :
There are some nice off the shelf rods. But dollar for dollar they can't approach the value you'll get when you build your own.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 7/11/2015 at 12:02 PM, sarcazmo said:There are some nice off the shelf rods. But dollar for dollar they can't approach the value you'll get when you build your own.
This is absolutely the truth.
Tim Kelly reply :
Not sure that's entirely true. If you want to build yourself an exact copy of a St Croix Legend for example, using all the same bits, bought retail from Mudhole or somewhere similar, I bet it would cost you more in parts than the cost of the factory rod.
The point of building it yourself is that you don't have to put up with those horrendous factory builds and can build it how you like a rod.
Batson reply :
Just checking in.. What did you decide?
junyer357 reply :
On 7/29/2015 at 11:07 PM, Batson said:Just checking in.. What did you decide?
Im going to build. Im just having to wait a month or so til after i get back from vacation. Seems you need money to order stuff and get started. Haha. Still looking at diffrent starter kits and lurking a few forums reading up on some things. Definitly will be ordering a drying motor pretty quickly into it. Debating on building my own threader.
Batson reply :
On 7/29/2015 at 11:36 PM, junyer357 said:Im going to build. Im just having to wait a month or so til after i get back from vacation. Seems you need money to order stuff and get started. Haha. Still looking at diffrent starter kits and lurking a few forums reading up on some things. Definitly will be ordering a drying motor pretty quickly into it. Debating on building my own threader.
Yes you do need some sort of money to order stuff 
Just remember when buying, you could go and buy a few different drying machines etc.. But its hard to beat a power wrapper with a drying machine built in thread carrier. Just depends on how much you want to get into it and how much you want to spend. Keep us up to date!
junyer357 reply :
On 7/29/2015 at 11:43 PM, Batson said:Yes you do need some sort of money to order stuff
Just remember when buying, you could go and buy a few different drying machines etc.. But its hard to beat a power wrapper with a drying machine built in thread carrier. Just depends on how much you want to get into it and how much you want to spend. Keep us up to date!
A power wrapper isnt in my budget in the foreseable future. Looking at a simple 9-12ish rpm one and using it with a dowel rod with alligator clips for drying crankbaits and other lures i paint.
Batson reply :
No Problem.. Buying a simple drying motor is probably the best for you. Good Luck. Let us know if you need any other questions answered.
Canyon explorer reply :
You are much better off making your own rods because:
1. You can make quality rods 40-50% cheaper than you can buy them.
2. You can build them better than the factory cosmetically,
3. Once you learn to do the wraps well you can repair and rebuild your own rods and in time repair them for others. This off sets the cost of your own.
4. I built my own hand rod wrapper out of a small used TV table having only to buy two thread tensioners
and one book shelf rail for less than $10.00. That was forty years and about 400 rods ago, and I am still using it.
5. Makes your winters a lot shorter.
6 I do the rod and reel work for two large BASS and FLW Federation clubs and some retail stores.
7. Makes your winters go a lot faster.
junyer357 reply :
On 8/6/2015 at 5:49 AM, Canyon explorer said:You are much better off making your own rods because:
1. You can make quality rods 40-50% cheaper than you can buy them.
2. You can build them better than the factory cosmetically,
3. Once you learn to do the wraps well you can repair and rebuild your own rods and in time repair them for others. This off sets the cost of your own.
4. I built my own hand rod wrapper out of a small used TV table having only to buy two thread tensioners
and one book shelf rail for less than $10.00. That was forty years and about 400 rods ago, and I am still using it.
5. Makes your winters a lot shorter.
6 I do the rod and reel work for two large BASS and FLW Federation clubs and some retail stores.
7. Makes your winters go a lot faster.
Yea. Winter isnt a problem for me here in alabama. Actually more the opposite and i fish less right now since its too dang hot. I can fish basicly year round though. Guntersville is a lil over an hour away and goes from decent right now to amazing once it turns cold. I usually make my winter decision to hunt or fish based on weather conditions (hunt after rain and fish before it) and if i already have some deer in the freezer or not.
Ive been painting cranks and have done a few repaints for coworkwrs but jothing to offset costs. Im looking to do the same with rod building eventually. Its something i want to do to get exactly what i want as well as an enjoyable hobby.
Batson reply :
Check out a custom rod builder in your area that can help educated: http://www.tigerodz.net
related Rod Building and Custom Rods topic
previous topic
next topic
most viewed Rod Building and Custom Rods topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.