Rod Building?

[pikeking]

I was wondering if any of you are into building rods, or thinking of it? I am thinking of doing it as a hobby. Just looking for feedback on your thoughts and experiences.

[DanAKAL]

PikeKing,  I roll my own.  It's a lot of fun really and nothing like making a rod tailored to what you want.  I intend to build a few ice rods this year.  Have a look at this link.  Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about building fishing rods.  Kinda like Ice Shanty but concentrated on building rods.

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/

Dan

[miket.]

thanks danakal, great link.

[Skipper]

The two books that I would recommend to get you going are...

The Complete Book of Tackle Making by C. Boyd Pheiffer
Rod-Building Guide by Tom Kirkman

You will need to acquire some basic tools like a wrapping jig (you can build one if you are handy) and a drying motor. Your wife may have many of the other tools in her sewing kit.

Start out with something simple, and somewhat large. An IM-6 medium power casting or spinning rod is a great place to start. The smaller the rod, the trickier it is to get right. Ice jig sticks are a mucho pain in the butt, especially the noodle thin carbon ones. There are allot of tricks to make things much easier that pay to learn. Those two books will get you the basics, and the forum that DanAKAL posted will offer allot of tricks. Read those stickies at the beginning of each section and it will save you allot of tears and frustration. You may even find me in there from time to time.

[DanAKAL]

Skipper,  Have you got a recommendation for a first ice rod?  I've built a few 4 and 8 wt fly rods and one stand up offshore rod but really don't know what to do with an ice rod.  I have looked at the blanks at Jan's Netcraft and the carbon ones from St. Croix.  I agree the carbon rods look like a tough build.  I have an old Ugly Stick spinning rod that I think I'll make into a Pike ice rod as I very seldom use open water spinning rods at all anymore.  Just seems like a good blank that would be plenty tough for Pike through the ice.

Dan

[Skipper]

Give it a go! A rebuild is still a custom job!

If you don't like the tip section, move down. You can use any length of that rod that you want.

The reason that I caution against the carbon St. Croix blanks is because of their diameter. The butt on a medium-light action blank isn't even 1/8 inch! This becomes a problem when you need to fit the grip. Wrapping guides on a rod that thin is exponentially more difficult than a nice fat blank also. If you are familiar with the basics, perhaps you should give it a try. What fun is a hobby if it offers no challenge?

Nettcraft also offers an IM-6 42'' blank that can be cut to suit, and they offer guides and grips to fit. This blank is a standard hollow rod, so it is much thicker than the St Croix blanks.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/ice-rod-blanks/

Looks like their selection may be limited for the summer season, I hope they bring them all back.

I found your post on that other site, there is not much info on ice rods out there man!

[DanAKAL]

Have a look at this site.  Seems they have much more of a selection for ice rods and components.  I haven't given up on making an ice rod out of the top section of a 2 pc 6 or 8 wt fly rod, I think this would be the ticket.

http://store.seviermfg.com/section.php?xSec=97

[Skipper]

Glass?!

I am having too much fun writing names and such on those skinny dang ice carbon blanks! I just finished a rod for my best friend. He wanted it written on the blank "Custom Built for Joesph Smith" (names changed to protect identity), he ended up with "CBF JOE" I'm a slacker!

The rod is a 24'' Medium Light power perch-walleye rod, the weight is .7oz! If you think you can manage one of those skinny darn carbon blanks, you will like the results.

I dont know the first thing about fly rods,  not even the weights. Good luck!

Hey Pikeking, I hope this hijack offered you some info!

Sorry!

[mud_n_fun]

Just sitting here looking at the carbon fiber blank I got from Jans along with the stuff I bought that I built a rod out of last year. You guys are giving me th itch to start working on this tedious little project.

[Neptune]

Have you guys ever tried these guys?

http://www.mudhole.com/

they have a great selection of blanks and they have their own brand that is pretty inexpensive(comparatively).

[Skipper]

Yes, I have discovered Mudhole!

They are a top notch outfit. They have everything under the sun and great customer service too.