Building a Custom Rod

Blank selection- One of the most important aspects of a great custom rod is the blank. It is what all of the components are connected to. It has to be light enough to cast all day without your arm falling off, but also tough enough to horse in whatever fish is on the other end of the line. There are many different blank manufacturers, and all of them have their pros and cons. In most cases, you get what you pay for, but there are some manufacturers that have great products that can be purchased without taking out a second mortgage. When building a custom rod with South Texas Custom Rods, I can make a recommendation for a blank to fit your fishing needs and your budget.

Handle-Another important aspect of the custom fishing building process is the handle. Most handles are built using cork rings that are glued together and shaped on a wood lathe. There are different grades of cork with the highest grade having fewer pits and imperfections. Another option for handle material is a synthetic foam material that can also be shaped on the lathe to best fit the rod blank. The rear grip can be one piece or split in to two to create a split grip that exposes some of the blank. Split grips are mainly used to decrease the weight of the blank, but can also be used to expose a section of the rod where a thread weave can be applied to dress up the rod.

Guides-Along with the blank, the guides are the most important aspect of the rod. There are many different options and manufacturers to choose from when selecting the right guides. For saltwater, you need corrosion proof guides that will stand up to the harsh saltwater environment. Whether you want titanium, recoil, micro guides, or something completely different, I can help you select the right guides for how you want to fish.

Threadwork-This is what really makes a custom rod stand out in comparison to a production rod. Thread is used to wrap the guides and hold them in place, but it is also used to dress up the rod and make it unique. Whether you want the colors of your favorite sports team or want a unique "tiger" or "mono" wrap, let me work with you to come up with a combination that you can be proud of for years to come.