Rod Building and Guides - Everything You'll Need to Know

When you’re rod building, you need to choose the guide you add to your equipment carefully. One of the advantages of developing your own equipment is that you’ll have full control over what elements you choose to add to your fishing rod so make sure you inform yourself about the options so you’ll make the best decision possible and created a finished product that will make you very happy.

Let’s start by looking at a couple of guides you might need, especially if you are interested in building a fly rod. We’ll also look at the different type of material used for those guides.

Types of Guides

One of the types you might want to consider is stripping guides. If you go with this option, then you’ll want to purchase a couple of them, especially if you the length of the finished rod you’re building is going to be on the long side. You could choose either the two-legged or the three-legged styles depending on your personal preference. Remember that’s the whole point of rod building: personal preference.

You could also choose running guides instead. If you choose this type of guide, it would be wise to go with a variation of the snake guide. These can minimize the chance of your line getting stuck to your blank which can make proper casting a real challenge. You won’t have to worry about friction as much either but they do stand a better chance of breaking. For that reason, you may want to purchase extra running guides.

Tips tops are the third possibility. These come in a couple of styles as well, including wire frame loops and ceramic inserts. The ceramic inserts are slightly heavier which could be a disadvantage if you’re worried about the weight of the product after your finished rod building. However, because these provide reduced friction the casting is much quieter. That reduced noise can be a huge advantage when you’re fishing.

Guide Materials to Consider when Rod Building

Choosing the best guide for your rod building is only part of the issue. You’ll also need to pay attention to the material you pick. The materials are used for plating and that’s important because it is responsible for ensuring the longevity of the guide itself. In many cases, the plating you choose can also have other benefits, such as reduced friction.

You can choose hard chrome plating which is definitely one of the best choices for a variety of guide types when you’re rod building. It provides increased protection over stainless steel but also helps keep friction to a minimum thus reducing noise and wear.

If you’re interested in finding some type of material that will be able to withstand the harshness of salt water while you’re fishing, consider titanium for your guide. It’s also lighter to use than other types of material and much more expensive. However, if you want your rod building to produce the highest quality finished product it could be a good choice.

Rod Building: Picking the Right Blank

An important decision when you are rod building is to choose the ideal blank. There are a number of considerations when you choose these blanks – it is the most important part of your fishing rod. Again, this is one place where you don’t want to skimp on the equipment. Just don’t take the plunge without doing your homework.

Rod Building: Blank Considerations

You definitely don’t want to just start choosing blanks at random. That isn’t going to help you be satisfied with the rod building you end up with. First, you’re going to need to try out as many models as possible to decide which choice is the right one. Test cast the numerous models available. You want to find a blank that is going to work with your specific length and line needs.

Do keep in mind that not every rod you test will be available as a blank. You may want to do research on that before you start testing so you don’t waste your time or fall in love with a cast you won’t necessarily be able to build.

If you’re looking for a good place to do some test casting, don’t rule out dropping by your local sporting equipment store. Of course, you probably won’t want to make your rod building purchases there before of their poor selection. Instead, you should visit several stores and also try out the rods used by your family and friends who are also doing fishing. If you have friends who also do rod building, you may want to ask them about their recommendations and ask if you can test drive their custom rods, too.

Other Rod building& Blank Buying Issues

When you’re taking some of these rods for a test drive, you also want to remember that you can purchase identical blanks that are designed to be divided into multiple sections for easier transportation. Even these small differences in the blanks can make a huge difference in the way they handle. For example, if you’ve tried the two-section variety but end up purchasing the three-section variety instead you’ll notice a difference and may not be satisfied with the results.

While we’re on the subject of these sections, you should take into consideration how many sections you want for your blank. Generally, there are two to four sections in the average blank. If you haven’t thought about it, now is the time. Two sections are fine but the finished rod will still be rather large for transportation. Three to four sections generally works better for rod building, even though it does require a little more effort.

Finally, you don’t want to make a purchase without checking the warranties on the blanks. Today, the majority of blank manufacturers do offer warranties but these aren’t all created equal. When you’re rod building, you want to make sure that the components you purchase are going to be protected and that you won’t end up having to replace something as soon as you finish your rod building.

Rod Building Basics, Because Basics are Important

Rod building is one of the smartest moves a fisher can make but it shouldn’t be undertaken without careful consideration and planning. You’ll want to make sure you understand what you’re getting into before you start spending time on your rod building activities.

Rod Building Advantages

First, you need to understand the benefits of rod building. In some cases, people make the assumption that creating your own fishing rod will be a more affordable option. Technically, it could be because you might be able to choose lower priced components. However, that should not be the main reason you choose for creating your own.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t any advantages. In fact, the primary benefit of is that you can build the best fishing rod possible. When you purchase ready-made rods, you often have to make compromises regarding what you purchase. You might, for example, end up with one element that you really want but you might also get stuck with a lower quality reel seat or some other element. That’s not what you want if you’re serious about fishing.

When you start rod building on your own, you can pick all of the elements you want. You can pick the top of the line pieces you want and you don’t have to make any concession. That’s the best benefit of rod building.

Preliminary Steps

Before you invest a great deal of money in purchasing these elements for your fishing rod, you should practice on creating a few early versions. You want to make sure that you know exactly what you want and understand how to put everything together effectively in order to create a fishing rod that will meet your needs.

You also should do some research. Don’t just go into the first fishing equipment store you find and start buying the highest priced components. That won’t necessarily earn you the best fishing rod possible Instead, you need to devote a considerable amount of time to figuring out which materials will be the best for your needs. There are major differences in materials and in equipment so you want to make sure you’re getting what you want. Again, this is a good reason to build a few practice fishing rods before embarking on the one which will be your best.

Creating Top of the Line Fishing Equipment

Once you’ve developed the fishing rod of your dreams, you’ll never want to purchase another rod out of the store. It’s that simple. Just remember that you want to get some practice first using lower quality equipment before you start purchasing the components you really want.

The only potential drawback of your rod building activities is that you might not have access to enough selection locally. That’s why online stores can be a better choice. You’ll find a much wider selection of components from additional manufacturers on the web sites, such as Sea Isle Tackle. At the end of the day, a great selection is key to the best rod building possible.

Starting a Custom Rod Building Business

Do you enjoy rod building as a hobby? Have you ever heard other people compliment the finished result of your rod building? If you answered yes to either question or if you are just interested in testing the water, then starting a custom building business could be a good option for you.

Basically, to get started there would be a few considerations you would have to keep in mind. Those are listed below and should help you decide if a rod building business is in the cards for you.

High Quality Workmanship

If you’re serious about starting a rod building business, you’ll need to be very confident in your skills. Don’t start such a business if you’ve never crafted your own fishing equipment before or if you’ve only used kits to develop the finished products. The more experience you have going into the industry the more capable you’ll be of satisfying the needs of your customers.

Another good idea is to have built several finished products that can be showcased for potential clients through a web site. People respond well to photographs and to testimonials so build some for your fishing friends and get their feedback for your site.

Setting the Price

Another good reason not to jump into custom rod building as a business without plenty of experience is that you won’t have a good idea of what to charge for your efforts. Although the actual building process doesn’t take much time, you may need to do some shopping and some research to make exactly what the client wants. You also to keep in mind that you’ll charge two prices: one for parts and one for labor. It’s the labor price where you’ll have the most flexibility.

Setting the right price is important. If you don’t charge enough, you’ll be wasting your time and will have nothing to show for it. If you charge too much, you won’t get any business. It’s a delicate balance.

Finding Customers

When you’re starting a rod building business, you’ll need to figure out how to attract new business. You could focus your initial efforts on local customers but eventually you’ll end up wanting to expand. The Internet can be a good source for customers if you do some marketing, such as writing a blog or submitting articles to submission services.

Another idea for finding rod building customers is to create some pieces and sell them on online auction sites. You’d be surprised at how much you could possibly earn for your efforts. Plus, it could be a good way to attract attention to your site and to your services.

Having Good Rod Building Vendors

An essential part of being successful in your rod building business is the vendors you choose for supplies. Obviously, you’ll need to buy components and all of the other elements that go along with rod building so having a place you trust and a place that you can reach conveniently to place orders, such as Sea Isle Tackle, is going to be important.

Learning the Basics of Rod Building

When you’re first rod building, you might feel like there’s too much for you to grasp and there’s no way you’ll ever be able to put together a finished product that will make you happy. Looking at all of the options available can be scary but it doesn’t have to be intimidating and you shouldn’t let that fear deter you from rod building. It’s one of the most rewarding activities – apart from fishing – that we can engage in.

My recommendation is to get involved in learning the basics of rod building now so you’ll feel more prepared for what’s ahead. Below are some recommendations.

Rod Building Kits

You may want to test the waters by using one of these kits first. They are usually affordable and include anything you would need to make a very basic fishing rod. You’re not going to end up with your dream fishing equipment from any of these sets because all of the components are generally fairly cheap. However, if you want to get a hands-on experience this might be the easiest and most affordable way to break the ice.

Step by Step Rod Building by Flex Coat

One of the must-have’s of rod building is a good instruction booklet. Step by Step Rod Building is one of the best books of its kind on the market. It was written by the president of Flex Coat himself and is a thorough explanation of the entire rod building process.

The guide contains 50 pages so it’s definitely a manageable read but also 100 illustrations which show you exactly what needs to be done at each step of the process. The book completely takes the guess work out of rod building. If you’re serious about rod building, you’ll want to get this book. And at under $5 it’s a huge bargain.

How We Do It DVD by Flex Coat

Flex Coat really is one of the leaders in producing how to materials for rod building. This DVD is one of the best examples. It covers everything you need to know, including choosing materials, shaping the handle, and more. The footage is divided into 20 chapters so the information is easy to access when you need it. The DVD costs around $20 which is a very good deal as well.

The best way to use the DVD is to watch the entire thing first to pack everything into your mind and to get you familiar with the basics. Then as you get started watch each of the chapters again so that material will be fresh in your mind but will also make sense with the rest of the process.

Going Online

Another way to learn more about rod building is to ask professionals. The staff at online sites, such as Sea Isle Tackle, is very knowledgeable about this topic and can answer questions you might have. Most of them can be contacted at your convenience through email which makes it easy for you to reach them and get the answers you need.

Rod Building: Cutting Costs 101

One of the most common questions people have about rod building is how much does it cost. Most fishers dream of doing their own rod building but many never try because they are worried that it would simply cost too much. To some extent, these concerns are warranted. The good news is there are some ways to achieve your dream without draining your wallet.

Practice Cheap First

The first thing you should always do if you’re new to rod building is to practice using the cheapest equipment you can find. While it isn’t difficult if you have everything you need and also have some good instructions, rod building can seem a little overwhelming at first. You should be prepared for that feeling. Think of it this way: if you’re just learning how to swim you don’t climb the diving board and jump into the deepest part of the pool. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Instead of jumping ahead and building your dream rod as your first project, practice using a few inexpensive rod kits first then gradually start working your way up to the type of fishing rod you’ve always wanted. It will save you money because you won’t end up wasting those expensive pieces you’ve purchased.

Think like a Computer Geek

Some people are as passionate about computers as we are about fishing. Those folks are also interested in building their own units in order to create a “dream machine” that does exactly what they want. However, the costs for such a system can be pretty exorbitant when compared to getting a computer right out of the box. It’s the same story with rod building, of course.

One solution used by many of these computer people is to purchase the equipment they need one piece at a time as the money becomes available. Sure, they need more patience but they are able to get exactly what they want for their system and don’t have to make compromises just because of cost. In the end, they are usually more satisfied with the finished results.

Make Concessions if You Must

One of the nice things about rod building is that you do get to create the fishing rod you want without some manufacturer deciding which components should be used. All of the decisions are completely yours. That means if you are on a budget you do have the option picking and choosing your components and making compromises somewhere if need be. For example, you may want to spend more on your guides but you may be willing to choose a cheaper blank to compensate. You get to make those choices when you’re rod building so you have more control over costs.

Shop Online

Another way to save money is by purchasing your components online at stores such as Sea Isle Tackle. You’ll generally find lower prices because these stores have less overhead costs. Plus, price and selection are two of the key ways they sell themselves. At the very least, you’ll save on gas because you won’t have to travel to the store to make your rod building purchases.

Our Thoughts on Common Questions about Rod Building

If you’re one of the many fishers who have wondered what it would be like to do some rod building, but you always had some unanswered questions about the process now you can the answer you need. Below we’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked rod building questions and supplied the answers so you’ll finally have access to enough information to decide whether you’re ready to take the customization plunge.

Is Rod Building Time-Consuming or Difficult?

The answer to both of these rod building questions is no. Generally, constructing a fishing rod once you’ve gathered all of the materials takes just a couple of hours. You will have to let the finished product set for a while to let the finish set but we’re not talking about an all day or all week activity here. It’s something you could easily start doing on the weekends.

As far as difficult goes, it’s not as challenging as you might think. In fact, some Boy Scout troops have start doing rod building activities. If you’re worried about the challenge, get some guides and see for yourself how simple it can be. You’ll probably be surprised.

Is Rod Building Expensive?

That’s a difficult question to answer because it really depends on you. Because you have full control over what you add to the finished product, you are the only one who decides how expensive it’s going to be. On average, most builders do spend more on their equipment than other people but that’s because they want the highest quality components they can get and that does add to the price significantly.

The first time may also cost a little more because you’ll need to purchase a few pieces of equipment, such as a utility knife and a brush for applying the epoxy that will be used repeatedly for all of your rod building.

What are the Benefits of Rod Building?

The biggest benefit is that you’ll end up with a finished product that is exactly what you want. If you want something a little heavier, you can make it happen. If you prefer ceramic guides, you can have them. If you want silk thread instead of nylon, you can have it. That’s the beauty of the process – you make all of the decisions.

Another benefit is that you should also see an improvement in your performance and you’ll have a fishing rod you can show off to others. Plus, going through the process can be fun, especially if you’re working on the project with other avid fishers.

How can I Get Started?

The best way to start rod building is to by a guide. You can read through the steps and see what is required in the process, including the specific materials you’ll need to purchase for the project. Once you’ve done that, you’ll just need to start buying the items and preparing your work space. A good place to purchase the equipment is an online store, such as Sea Isle Tackle, because of their selection and convenience.

Four Reason to Start Rod Building in the Fall of 2008

Reasons to Start Rod Building

While we all understand the magic of casting your line into the water, feeling that sharp tug, and reeling in an outstanding catch, not everyone who loves fishing completely grasps the good reasons for rod building. Some people wonder why it’s worth all of the trouble. They say the time, energy, and money used to create a custom rod could be better spent actually fishing. Of course, they wouldn’t say that if they understood some of the good reasons to get started in custom rod building.

Let’s look at some of those reasons.

Reason #1: Customization

Today, we are obsessed with personalizing everything from our cars to our laptops to our bodies so it’s no wonder that some of us don’t want to walk around with the same fishing rod as the person on the other side of the water.

Rod building allows you to have complete creative control over the process. You can choose each specific piece of equipment. You can mix and match manufacturers. You can pick different colors. You can add decals, lettering, colored thread, and more. The sky’s the limit when you’re doing rod building and that’s a huge part of its appeal.

Reason #2: Higher Quality and Rod Building

Because you do have total control over what goes into the finished product, you’ll probably end up with a piece of fishing equipment that is superior to nearly anything you could find pre-made and for sale at your local sporting good store.

With that said, you’ll probably also end up paying more for that higher quality because pre-made rods keep prices affordable by cutting corners. If you’re not interested in saving a few dimes and nickels here and there then you’ll be able to produce a first-class piece of fishing equipment that you’ll be proud to use for years to come.

Reason #3: Higher Performance

The characteristics of our fishing equipment can determine our performance at the water. For example, if we are using a rod that is bit too heavy for us then that could be just enough to throw off our cast and reduce our ability to catch the fish we want. That’s definitely not conducive to good fishing.

With rod building, you can construct a rod that is custom-designed to fit your needs in terms of weight, action, friction, and more. You’ll be able to choose exactly what you want for your rod and have complete control over designing a fishing rod that will let you truly show off your fishing skills.

Reason #4: Rod Building as a Team Effort

Fishing for many of us has always been a family affair. It’s a time when we bond with our kids or our friends or our parents. Rod building allows for a continuation of that bonding, even off the water. While the actual construction of the rod only takes a couple of hours, you’ll have to spend time researching and buying the different components, as well as on deciding what to include in the product. That can give you plenty of time to enjoy being together and bonding over fishing.