Recommend me a rookie rod building kit

[fisherman-andy]

As it is, I have finally taken interest and want to do start building my own rods for fun. I've looked at some sites such as mudhole etc but have no idea what to buy or what is completely needed to start out. Mudhole has some kits but not sure what to buy. Not looking to overspend but need something decent. I will likely be self teaching myself with provided videos and instructions. May take a free class to if I see one in the county outdoor bulletins. This rookie is ready to build his own rods..

[tonybmn]

Recommend giving Gary a call. Local and will set you up with a good system. Gives classes and will answer any questions. Very knowledgable on the whole process. http://garyscustomrod.com/

[bobbymalone]

+1 on Gary. I took a class at through DCTC(I think it was DCTC) that Gary taught. It wasn't free, but what is? I believe it was about $100-120 for the class and that included the components to build a cheapish rod.

Once you get the basics down, you don't need much other than a rod kit and some thread to get started. I would just get a cheapo rod kit from the mud place. As far as what one, I'd go with a spinning rod (less wraps) and whatever you want... medium, medium light, heavy, fast, xtra fast, etc etc etc. Definitely go with something simple. I wouldn't go with some ultra finesse ultra light and definitely not a powernoodle ice rod for your first build.

All my rod support thingies and thread tensioners were built by hand out of some scrap wood, about $5 worth of nuts/bolts/springs, and other junk laying around the house. I bought a dryer motor/chuck from hsolist for about $10 and built that on scrap wood.

[18 inch Crappie]

You tube videos is how I learned, look at all the Mud Hole videos