05-08-2004, 05:46 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]OH OH! Looks like the mad professor is picking up a new fishing hobby.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Hey Lloyd, I echo fishmagnet's sentiments. YES you can save money on making your own rods...or, as he suggests, buy more rod for the money.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have been building my own rods since Herters was still one of the major mail order fishing catalogs. After they left, Cabelas became my primary source of rod blanks and other components. Since then, Janns and Barlows have both added a lot of new rod building items to their lines. There is also Mudhole and Hook & Hackle...and probably a hundred more places to get the stuff.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I do not believe I have ever built a rod just to save money. If so, then I have saved so much money I am now broke. Look at the attached pic for verification. And, those are only my current supply. I have made hundreds for others, sold some and "bequeathed" lots more to family and friends.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When I shop for a blank, and the guides, handle and other components for a rod, I do so to achieve a specific weight, feel, action, etc. While there are increasingly more rods available at a reasonable price, it is difficult for a discriminating angler to find exactly what he or she wants "off the rack".[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]My ego tells me that I can tell the difference between subtle variations in a rod's "action"...fast, slow or medium. My pride tries to convince me that it is worth it for me to spend more on the most advanced and most sensitive blank materials. My experience tells me that I can build a better rod than is generally available at an affordable price. This is especially true in the proper placement of guides, for the maximum in feel and casting efficiency.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]It is not always true that you can build a rod for less than you can buy one. I am amazed at the quality of some rods I have seen at Wally World and in the closeout bins at big discount sports outlets...sometimes for under $30. Most of the rods I build cost more than that just for the blanks. In fact, if I wanted to buy a Loomis GL3 7 foot spinning blank, I would have to pay $90 to $105 these days.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Those "economy" rods are ideal for folks on a budget, or for anglers who do not fish enough to need more than one rod...or who do not appreciate the subtle differences in the different lengths, weights and actions. But, for the terminal fishaholic, there will never be enough rods in the arsenal. There's always that "just one more" you need for some special kind of fishing you do...or would like to do.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Hey, Lloyd, I can do a quick pictorial on the top loop of the spinner for you. It requires a pair of those round nose pliers and knowing how to do the bending. You can make a serviceable loop with a plain old pair of longnose, but it will have at least one straight side. With a little practice you can turn out nice round, neat loops every time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The secret, if there is one, is to bend the wire over at about a 60 degree angle before you make the loop. Also, you can use a nail or some other round metal object to wrap the loop around. I used to make my own wire forming tools by having a series of nails up through a board...with the sharp points filed off. I could whip out loops quickly. Today, there are several tools on the market for doing the same thing, but you can work faster and more efficiently with the round nosed pliers and a little practice.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]Hey Lloyd, I echo fishmagnet's sentiments. YES you can save money on making your own rods...or, as he suggests, buy more rod for the money.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have been building my own rods since Herters was still one of the major mail order fishing catalogs. After they left, Cabelas became my primary source of rod blanks and other components. Since then, Janns and Barlows have both added a lot of new rod building items to their lines. There is also Mudhole and Hook & Hackle...and probably a hundred more places to get the stuff.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I do not believe I have ever built a rod just to save money. If so, then I have saved so much money I am now broke. Look at the attached pic for verification. And, those are only my current supply. I have made hundreds for others, sold some and "bequeathed" lots more to family and friends.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When I shop for a blank, and the guides, handle and other components for a rod, I do so to achieve a specific weight, feel, action, etc. While there are increasingly more rods available at a reasonable price, it is difficult for a discriminating angler to find exactly what he or she wants "off the rack".[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]My ego tells me that I can tell the difference between subtle variations in a rod's "action"...fast, slow or medium. My pride tries to convince me that it is worth it for me to spend more on the most advanced and most sensitive blank materials. My experience tells me that I can build a better rod than is generally available at an affordable price. This is especially true in the proper placement of guides, for the maximum in feel and casting efficiency.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]It is not always true that you can build a rod for less than you can buy one. I am amazed at the quality of some rods I have seen at Wally World and in the closeout bins at big discount sports outlets...sometimes for under $30. Most of the rods I build cost more than that just for the blanks. In fact, if I wanted to buy a Loomis GL3 7 foot spinning blank, I would have to pay $90 to $105 these days.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Those "economy" rods are ideal for folks on a budget, or for anglers who do not fish enough to need more than one rod...or who do not appreciate the subtle differences in the different lengths, weights and actions. But, for the terminal fishaholic, there will never be enough rods in the arsenal. There's always that "just one more" you need for some special kind of fishing you do...or would like to do.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Hey, Lloyd, I can do a quick pictorial on the top loop of the spinner for you. It requires a pair of those round nose pliers and knowing how to do the bending. You can make a serviceable loop with a plain old pair of longnose, but it will have at least one straight side. With a little practice you can turn out nice round, neat loops every time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The secret, if there is one, is to bend the wire over at about a 60 degree angle before you make the loop. Also, you can use a nail or some other round metal object to wrap the loop around. I used to make my own wire forming tools by having a series of nails up through a board...with the sharp points filed off. I could whip out loops quickly. Today, there are several tools on the market for doing the same thing, but you can work faster and more efficiently with the round nosed pliers and a little practice.[/size][/#0000ff]
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