Muskie Rod for Fishing Buddy

[Mike Wallace]

I finished a new rod for my fishin' buddy. 8'6", Heavy power, and what I would call Fast action for a muskie rod.

He wanted blue and silver with blue guides, so I used the American Tackle Co. Blue Zirconia guides.

I put in 10 guides (it looked better on the static test with 10) plus the tip-top:

I use an American Tackle Co. aluminum reel seat (size 24, if your wondering):

He also wanted a split grip with a butt cap:

wrapped everything and coated with two coats of Permagloss (let that dry for 4 days) and then a coat of Flex Coat High Build and ramped the cork

That should have been good enough, but I took his red Abu 6600 and painted the sideplates to match:

It's fun to do something for a friend.

[Muskiefool]

Mike will you be my friend super nice work, very impressive.

[HarleyK50]

Mike will you be my friend super nice work, very impressive.

ME TOO! That is beautiful.

[upnorth]

Very nice work Mike!! Nice color combo, and coordination of colors in accessories. The only thing I might have done different is a spiral wrap, but that is a personal thing.

[delmuts]

Very nice! Your freind should be proud of that combo!

[mrklean]

that looks pretty sweet i like the blue

[Mike Wallace]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm proud of how this one turned out.

Upnorth, I agree with the spiral thing but I couldn't get him convinced on it. Maybe next time.

It's interesting to look at what others do and what they like to do. I don't like to do thread work and usually don't do a butt wrap. When you see thread work like Dark Cloud, LakeLady, and Upnorth you really see what talent these guys have.

I like the construction of the rod (handle/guide placement, component selection, and performance testing), not the artistic part of it.

If you haven't tried building one and think you want to, contact LakeLady or Midwest R&R or one of the frequent posters and they will be glad to help you get started. It's a fun escape.

Mike Wallace

[JimBuck]

That is a gorgeous rod Mike. Nice work. I'm sure your friend will be tickled pink (blue?) when he see's it. The aluminum reel seat should be more common...Love it.

[Dark Cloud]

Excellent job! That looks well built and sharp.