custom rods, r they worth the cost?

Keenfisho · #1 28-09-2004, 10:39 PM

the reason i'm asking this is that, i'm really starting to getting into fishing and while on a recent fishing trip i met my mates mate, who makes his own rods.

so what i want to know is, is it worth the extra cost to get a rod made for myself, or would it be better to go to my local tackle store a buy one of the better rods that they have in stock.

if i do go the custom rod, what are the addvantages i can expect from one of these rods?

thanks

Mark

Shane · #2 28-09-2004, 10:46 PM

It's the same as everything, the more cash you spend the better the performance. You can buy a computer for $500 but it is going to be crap compared to personalised system for $2000.

I assume you will get a better answer from the people who can actually afford nice rods

I would say a custom rod is getting a rod that you can specifiy what you want for for what application. Plus it may have funky colours like Mim's

troy-the-boy · #3 28-09-2004, 11:19 PM

I have custom rods. The advantage is that you can have them built to your specs. ie grips reel seat config. But know I think I would rather a factory rod like Black Diamond as they have done the research on construction and set up of the rods. With custom rods you might be going back to get the feel and action right.
Troy H

CHUNQX · #4 29-09-2004, 12:06 AM

That is if you know what you want for yourself and you might only know that after using a lot of different rods and outting in all those hours.. Example, you might think you'll want a really short butt on your rod (like Nath's modded one) and a one piece for strength... After parting with your week's wage to get that done you might find the balance not quite right because of the super short butt and a one piece is a hassle to carry around especially if its longer than 6'6".
Shelf rods are good in that they're cheaper for the same type of componentry (unless you build your own), because they're built en masse, and also because you can try it out at the shop with a reel on, have a pretend flick, feel its balance....
By shelf rods I mean the Loomis, some Daiwa ones etc not them K-Mart specials...
If you're going to go the custom way, know really well what you want before coughing up all that hard-earned dollars otherwise you might end up with a really good looking, eye-catching LEMON!

eddystone · #5 29-09-2004, 03:24 AM

Hi,

Maybe you should consider a high model rod then step up to a custom rod at a later date.

I have a BD and they are a top rod. Mines only a bluestone (low end model) so you would presume their higher priced ros are better!!

eddy

i_wanna_fish · #6 29-09-2004, 03:37 AM

as a lazy cheapo

na anyway try almost all the shelf rods if you can first, you might find the rod you were going to make...

CHUNQX · #7 29-09-2004, 03:41 AM

I sort of went the reverse way. I got a custom built rod on a loomis blank and found out a few things I didn't like about it... Then I found a factory Loomis which is PERFECT for my use... The custom loomis is sitting at home providing structure for spiders to set their traps...

swoffa · #8 29-09-2004, 03:43 AM

Most of my bream rods are "custom" jobs, some of them just have the butts shortened, but some have the guide positions totally changed. The good rod builders will build you up a custom rod upon request, often at no added cost.
Ian Miller is only to happy to do custom projects, Allen Glover and Adam Royter are another couple that spring to mind.

dantheman · #9 29-09-2004, 07:09 AM

G'day really its not worth it with rods today, well for bream etc anyway. their are so many to choose from,
have alook at the loomis range, daiwa and Ian miller range and i'm sure you will not go wrong, ive got all the ones i've listed and they do everything i want and more,
cheers Dan

swoffa · #10 29-09-2004, 07:25 AM

Even generic Millers are "custom" rods in that they are designed for a specific species... such as a BreamBuster, BassBuster or Jack Extractor... therefore there's really no need to modify them unless you're a pedantic tackle rat like a few of us here...

However, I shorten the butt's on all my Loomis sticks as I find them a lot more comfortable to fish with that way, but the guides don't need to be altered. (not that I've used a Loomis for ages)

Cindy · #11 29-09-2004, 05:21 PM

Interesting thread...
I would like to add to the others that our rods are species or location specific. As you most know, our Custom PLus were designed to offer the customer more options than a standard model. We "tailor" the rod to suit the customer in the area of grips, different reel seats (cork or wood inserts, woven graphite ect.), uplocking or downlocking, hook keeprs, our BD custom colour guides in choice of blueglow, silverglow and goldglow). We build our rods on order so you are not getting just a rod off the shelf but one that gives you some options. Yes, Steve creates the designs and they are heavily tested by our own BD anglers, but we offer options within the parameters of our designs that "tailor" the rod for the individual (particulary for comfort and style).
Happy hunting! You have a few choices offered to you on this thread.
Cheers,
Cindy

AllBlack · #12 07-10-2004, 01:26 AM

Mark, have a look around as mentioned by the folk here and see what the local tackle store has on offer...should be plenty to choose from. I'd also ask myself what is the $500+ rod going to do that a $200 can't, particularly if breamin' is going to be the main use.

Maybe look at it this way, you could buy 2 different rods say a 6'6" and a 7'6" which give you options for the types of places and fishing you do.

As mentioned, last thing you want is an expensive LEMON!!

Cheers,

AllBlack

fatman · #13 10-10-2004, 09:58 AM

Have a crack at building rods yourself. Making your own custom rod can knock a heap of $$$ of the price of the finished product. My 'custom' bream rod is a Pac Comp, high modulas graphite stick with all Fuji components and owes me a grand total of $68 plus some of my own time. Give it a go, i'ts not that hard.

FATMAN

Keenfisho · #14 11-10-2004, 12:18 AM

thanks the replys

you've now given me a lot to think about, including making my own, has anyone got any idea of the cost to set up to build my own rods??

thanks

Mark

CHUNQX · #15 11-10-2004, 12:52 AM

It actually works out to be pretty cheap if you build them yourself. A Loomis blank will go for hundred odd bucks a piece for a rod that will sell for $450 built up.. The flip side of that is time as well as workmanship. As a first time builder you can't really expect it to look anywhere near a Factory built up one let alone a Millerod. Also the cost of some of the tools you need will start to add up... Especially that binding lathe thing..