Ok.

[TeamOso]

Rod building.
If I bought the right blank, and learned a littlle, could I save some money? Do any of yall make your own rods? I think it would be cool If I could save a little money.

[SkeeterRonnie]

takes a little bit of money to get setup, then a good mechanical knowledge to be able to fabricate items and holders. a little electrical knowledge in order to fabricate a variable speed foot controlled motor.. at your age you would save thousands by learning to build your own rods....

[txseadog]

Saving money on custom rods was the reason I started but it can be very addicting. I'll spend much more in the long run than having someone build them for me but there is a great sense of satisfication catching a fish on something you build yourself or having someone said "that's a good looking rod".

You can get all the supplies you need to start for under $40 from your local Academy but count on $75+ for the components needed for a offshore rod.

[TeamOso]

So what do I need? Ive built a light spinning rod, but I had someone kinda holding my hand with it. I wouldnt mind spending as much as I would spend on a nice calstar or somethin, but I think it would be cool to make my own, and save a little $$$ while using the colors and the blank I like.

[txseadog]

For supplies you need something to support the rod (a big box with the one side and the top cut off works fine, finish for the guides, expoxy for the grips, gimbal and reel seat, some thread, finish brushes, color preserver (if you use regular nylon thread) and a razor blade/exactor knife. I would suggest you get a copy of Tom Kirkman's book which I think is titled "how to build custom rods".

Components:
Blank, gimbal, grips, reel seat, hosel/winding check, guides, and a top.

I would also suggest you strip down an old rod and practice on it before buying/using all new components.

[TeamOso]

Ok, doesnt seem as easy as I was thinkin.

[Sea Crappie]

Team Oso,

It really isn't that hard and it's a skill that has tons of rewards:

1. Getting exactly what you want, like a heavy spinner, rail rod or acid wrapped rod which might not be commercially available otherwise. You'll also be able to fit heavy rods to your body size and technique, which is a huge benefit if you run tons of drag.

2. The satisfaction of a job well done and using something you created yourself.

3. Better quality. Once you develop basic skills (which can happen on your first rod if you take your time and focus) you'll build a better product than almost any off the shelf rods.

4. Better knowledge about what you want in a rod and how you expect it to perform.

5. Ain't no better way to tackle ho than with a custom rod.

Other than Kirkman's book, you can purchase Dale Clemens "Advanced Custom Rod Building" book and I HIGHLY reccomend Doc Labanowski's "Custom Rod Building With Doc Ski" DVD available from www.mudhole.com. Doc's video focuses on offshore rods, and long range tuna stand-ups in particular.

Good suppliers are FTU (selection is limited), mudhole, and www.acidrod.com.

Oh, and if you get into rod building, do it for the reasons above, not to save money. It's tough to realize savings unless you can buy components wholesale or build ALOT of rods.

I hesitate to sick you on another forum, but the folks at rodbuilding.org are very helpful (it's run by the aforementioned Tom Kirkman), just really great people.

[Jason_L]

txseadog,when you say stripping down an old rod do you mean just taking it apart? I am going to google info on it after I post this,just curious. I would like to try and put together a rod or two.Think it would be a nice skill to pick up.
*edit*
So I looked up alot of info,its really hard to wade through it all. What would you suggest being a first purchase?One of those kits?I already know what the rod I want to build looks like in my head And I was just thinking about why no stickers,and I saw they have them,well not the ones I have in mind but it can be done,all I need to know. Thanks in advance for your input.

[txseadog]

I meant just taking the old guides off. For me, wrapping and finishing the guides is the most time consuming part of the whole process. It can also be the most frustating :-).

I'm not sure want your looking for but www.Bad-fish.com has kits that more geared to offshore / tuna fishing.

Originally Posted by Jason_L

txseadog,when you say stripping down an old rod do you mean just taking it apart? I am going to google info on it after I post this,just curious. I would like to try and put together a rod or two.Think it would be a nice skill to pick up.
*edit*
So I looked up alot of info,its really hard to wade through it all. What would you suggest being a first purchase?One of those kits?I already know what the rod I want to build looks like in my head And I was just thinking about why no stickers,and I saw they have them,well not the ones I have in mind but it can be done,all I need to know. Thanks in advance for your input.