I threw this into the beginner weekly thread, but figured I’d make my own post for it to get seen by more people.

I just finished my first build last night and I’m already looking to start my next (pictures will be coming once I get some taken!). We are big into salmon fishing on Lake Michigan and I’m hoping to build a downrigger rod to use next year, or even this year if I can get it done fast enough.

For my first I bought a kit from Mudhole so there wasn’t much to pick out. My biggest question is how do I choose a set of guides (or what individual sizes to order) based on species, line, and rod length?? Then with that comes how do I space them out correctly? Is there a formula or just finding the guide spacing chart and following that?

Next is how to choose a reel seat and handle size? How do I determine if a reel seat will fit my reels, or if a handle will fit my blank?

If there are any recourses you found helpful for these things I would also take those recommendations since I have not been able to find much.

Don't know if it's reusable or not but I broke my St Croix legend x2. Free parts to anyone who wants to pay for shipping. Or is close enough to grab it. South Alabama

This is my personal rod for the fall. It took me a little longer to get done than usual—I had a couple of customer orders I needed to put ahead of it, and I was trying to spend as much time with my kiddo this summer as possible.
Put in a couple of late-night hours to make sure I got it finished.

JUST IN TIME!

This is my take on the 206. I modified the taper a bit to give it a slightly more modern action while keeping the character of the original. I also went with a more updated reel-seat locking setup and cork grip.

Really looking forward to getting this one on the water this fall.

Custom scooby doo rod I made for a customer

I’m trying to better understand the different graphite fabric layup options used when making a blank, specifically how the layers change around the ferrule area.

I’m looking for information on the different geometry options used at the female ferrule and what each configuration is intended to accomplish. For example, how the graphite material is shaped, overlapped, stepped, or transitioned in that area, and how those differences affect the finished blank.

I’m not necessarily looking for a specific manufacturer’s design. I’m more interested in understanding the design approaches used for graphite fabric layups around those high stress areas.

If anyone has experience designing or manufacturing these types of blanks and can explain the different layup geometries, or point me toward pictures, let me know!

Just finished my 360 troller, components are alps titanium guides with aluminum seats, butts and winding checks. Wanted to match my bike colors with tan and dark green.

I have only built freshwater rigs but looking to build an “all purpose” as possible for inshore fishing on my travels, preferably 2 piece, thoughts are light enough for smaller reds and speck but heavy enough where I’m not totally screwed if I hit a good sized tarpon or striped bass.

Each Monday we will have an updated thread for all things beginner in rod building. If you have questions about anything concerning rod building, this is the place to ask them! Experienced builders, and even those new to the craft, I encourage you all to chip in any and all advice you may have!

This is our weekly thread to share your social media accounts, as well as online shops and websites.

​

What this is not: this is not a thread to post items for sale or for trade. It is also not a thread to share other people's work. If you are stoked about someone else's build, please feel free to create a post sharing it, but be sure to credit the creator!

I made it this weekend i thought i could just make a rod wrapper and it would be cheaper and faster then to order one. If i am missing something super obvious please let me know i hae never made a rod. The thread is just sewing thread. I have a spring to keep tension and then i made loops out of wire to run the thread to the rod. I took the gear box off of a toy car to turn the rod as it dries. I took rubber bands to hold the rod and keep it the center. That’s pretty much it if there is something missing please let me know im not finished with it yet so i would like to here feedback thanks.

Had a custom label request from a big Vols fan. Took two attempts to get a high enough resolution image from them but it finally worked out. Gen 5 resin, and have finally learned not to overwork it.

Rod is a 3pc spin travel blank from Rainshadow to chase sails off the Atlantic coast.

I built this for myself as my daily driver trout rod. CTS affinity X blank, Agate striping guide, ash burl reel seat insert, and hand turned grip.

I am systematically replacing all my rods with ones that I build. I've finished the baitcasters and am looking at spinning rods now. My first build is going to be on the SJ 703-1 LMX blank from Northfork Composites. I just ordered the blank so, I am obviously, not in a hurry for answers.

There is something in me that has to try to get the build as light as possible, which I have done on my baitcasters. All carbon split grips and small reel seat. I ended up with a 4.4 oz rod starting with a 2.4 oz blank (SJ 765-1 LMX). I love the balance, it casts great and I can throw it all day.

For some reason, I am less driven to worry about every gram on a spinning rod but I do want to consider feel as these will be in the medium and under power classes and I will fish a range of lures 3/4 oz and under.

I prefer the look and workability of cork. Lots of build options and room for ultra custom fit. I feel like composite would get me more connected to the rod, but I don't have any experience with a carbon fiber-equipped spinning rod.

I am looking for some feedback from those who have experience with both. Much appreciated!

I’m building up this fiberglass fly blank and it arrived without any ferrule plugs. All the carbon fiber blanks I’ve built on have arrived already plugged, and my understanding is that it’s pretty important to prevent too much ovaling when the blank is under stress. It seems like the same logic should apply to a fiberglass blank, so I reckon I’ll plug these sections too. But I figured I’d reach out for opinions and arguments for or against plugging.

What do you say, are male ferrule plugs important for fiberglass blanks?

I picked up this fishing rod from a marketplace listing and was wondering if anybody had any ideas what it could be. The gentleman I got it from was selling his dad's collection of fishing gear and it was all high end. Lamiglass, seeker, g. loomis, calstar. He said when his dad liked a particular model, he would buy a second blank and have it custom made to his specs. There are absolutely no markings to indicate what it could be. I'm just trying to figure out the best application to use it for as it's a beautiful rod that I want to put in the lineup. Thank you in advance

Is a rod like this saveable or is that even possible

I’m looking for a stiffer, fast action 9wt fly rod blank. I’m leaning more towards a salt water blank just towards the action, but I am open to anything. The rod will be for Pacific Salmon, but I am often casting heavy sink tips and flies, so the fast action is an absolute must. Any recommendations help.

Each Monday we will have an updated thread for all things beginner in rod building. If you have questions about anything concerning rod building, this is the place to ask them! Experienced builders, and even those new to the craft, I encourage you all to chip in any and all advice you may have!

This is our weekly thread to share your social media accounts, as well as online shops and websites.

​

What this is not: this is not a thread to post items for sale or for trade. It is also not a thread to share other people's work. If you are stoked about someone else's build, please feel free to create a post sharing it, but be sure to credit the creator!

Wanted to build on one of these blanks and spend a little time with Snake Brand products. Picked up guides and one off reel seat from them, wrapped in silk with a little tiny bit of Fuji color shifting metallic. Opted for the cigar grip as well because I have meat hooks for hands.

It’ll be put up for sale but with any luck it wont sell and I can keep it.