Why build your own rod?

[ilikefood]

Hello all!

I am interested in acquiring a couple new rods for both ice fishing and summer fishing. I like working with my hands and learning a new skill/hobby. Naturally, I am interested in building my own rods. However, I do not want to buy a lot of expensive equipment if I will only build a few rods. So, what are the advantages to building your own rods? Does building your own rods make financial sense? Or should I just buy a couple good rods and call it a day?

Thank you in advance!

David

[mainbutter]

I'll say this as far as financial sensest r: Rod building is an expensive hobby, and unless you become a professional and sell a bunch, it's just going to suck money out of your wallet.

That said, I've had more than plenty of money sucked out of my wallet when it's come to do-it-yourself-ing fishing equipment, and enjoyed plenty of it. I haven't gotten around to rod building because I'm still focusing on making my own lures, but I may get around to it one day.

[upnorth]

If you look back in the history of this forum there are few threads some of the equipment listed. You can start out very simple to start out.

Why build your own rod? Many reasons. 1 satisfaction of fishing with a rod you built yourself. 2. You can get exactly what you want. 2. You get to pick the components that you want not what someone at a company. 3. You can fit the seat, handle etc to your style of fishing. 4. Colors, decorative wraps, decals, types of materials are all your choice. I am sure someone else can chime in with their own thoughts too.

[sweept]

UpNorth nailed it!!!!!!!!!!

[pureinsanity]

Pretty much what up north said.

For me, I was fortunate enough to have a nice guy donate his wrapper to me. I use a dictionary for a tension on my thread. I am as basic as they come. I actually started building my first rod with two kitchen table chairs as my wrapper.

I do not think rod building is that expensive. You can make it expensive when you start getting customized components.

Ever do a project at your home? Like a renovation by yourself and when all said and done you are pleased with the results? remember how satisfied you were?

Rod building is kinda the same way, when you are are done, you admire your final product and than can't wait to go test it out on the water! Catching that first fish, or a monster fish on something you built by hand by yourself is an awesome feeling in my opinion.

Ive built rods for under 50.00 and over 100.00. It all depends what you want.

I like my 50.00 rod I built better than a st croix I have....

[harvey lee]

I simply enjoy building them and enjoy learning new techniques.

[ilikefood]

Thank you everyone for the input. Rod building certainly sounds like fun. At some point in my life I want to try it. However, for right now, I might wait before I jump into another hobby/interest.

Thanks again!

[upnorth]

The one thing that is really nice about building you can work on this in short intervals too. Got 15 minutes to spare or are a bit bored you can putz for a few and put it down. There are very few things that really required you to work for more than a few minutes at a time.