MyFishFinder Forum

MyFishFinder Tips and Techniques => Fishing Equipment => Rods Reels Tackle => Topic started by: Mac Attack on Sep 29, 2017, 03:09 PM

Title: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Sep 29, 2017, 03:09 PM
My son Jeff has been building custom steelhead rods for over a year now and he's gotten pretty good.
Anyway, he is building two new high end rods for me as a present.
I am paying for most of the materials and he providing all of the labor and some of the materials.

I deserve it.   ;D

The first rod will be a 7' walleye jigging rod.
Northfork blank model HS 701-2
Ultra-fast action.
I'm mating it up to a Pflueger President XT model 30 spinning reel.

The first rod will be a 8' slow-trolling/casting multi-purpose rod.
Northfork blank model St 865-2
Fast action.
I'm mating it up to a Pflueger President XT model 35 spinning reel.
This rod I will use for a lot of different types of fishing.
Drifting/trolling bottom bouncers for walleyes up in Canada on my annual trip with the guys.
Also for casting spoons and bucktails for pike up there.
Also for local steelhead fishing.  Jeff has been bugging me to go with him.  I stopped years ago because of the neuropathy in my feet.
Also for our trip to Alaska planned for 2020 or 2021.  Should be a good rod for up there.


These are Gary Loomis rod blanks.
Very expensive, but we got 50% off using a recent Labor Day sale code they didn't advertise on their website.
Jeff said the sale code was sent out to previous customers in an email.
It took them a long time to finally ship, but they arrived today and look very nice.
Sent me a nice T-shirt too!!!
Jeff gets that to wear at the tackle shop he works at part time.

The Pflueger reels I bought a week back from an old friend that owns/runs a local tackle shop where Jeff works occasionally.

I'll add more on these rods, including photos, as things progress.

Mac
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: fishnmachine on Sep 29, 2017, 04:01 PM
Sounds like a couple of pretty nice rods.   :D
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Sep 29, 2017, 06:47 PM
I'm hoping
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Oct 23, 2017, 06:58 PM
Selected the reel seat clamps today.
Shiney Gunsmoke


(https://s1.postimg.org/85oo1xl5zf/8288-_MMS-1508794083000-attachment1-reel-seats.png) (https://postimg.org/image/85oo1xl5zf/)
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Jan 28, 2018, 09:29 AM
It's been a long time and really not much has been done on my rods.
Jeff has been working on everyone else's rods over the winter.
But yesterday I selected the wood to mate up with the reels seats and also for the accent next to the but cap.
Jeff will also turn a few rings of the wood to go in 2 places on the fore and aft pcs.
The wood now goes out to the guy that impregnates it with the dye.
I selected red as that is my favorite color.
No photos for a while.
I am glad things are moving again.
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: sisabdulax on Feb 02, 2018, 09:49 AM
Would love to see the final products!!!
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Feb 02, 2018, 11:01 AM
Would love to see the final products!!!

I’ll for sure post pics

A very long time coming
Jeff told me the wood for the custom reel seats is running $157
These rods are costing me a ton
But because my son is building them for me they will be priceless

Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: rgfixit on Feb 02, 2018, 06:47 PM
OYE!
I think I know a guy........well.......never mind.


Rg
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Feb 02, 2018, 07:35 PM
OYE!
I think I know a guy........well.......never mind.


Rg

Yea........I know Bob.

Leave it alone.

 ;)
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Feb 14, 2018, 07:04 PM
My new blanks for the reel seats, accent rings, and butt cap.
I also ordered the eyes for the rod.
Titanium - ouch!!! $$$
We are finally making progress.


(https://s13.postimg.org/xddnivu37/IMG_2248.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/xddnivu37/)
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: rgfixit on Feb 15, 2018, 04:47 AM
Very pretty. Titanium guides are worth the investment. I used them on most of my fly rods.

Rg
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Feb 15, 2018, 09:41 AM
Very pretty. Titanium guides are worth the investment. I used them on most of my fly rods.

Rg

Yea, but more than 2X the cost of stainless steel guides.
Not really sure about worth the investment.
Titanium is more brittle than stainless.
So they are more prone to breakage believe it or not.
Still, I've gone as high end as I have on these two rods, why cheap out on the guides.
We'll see.
I'm excited, but will probably be scared to death to ever use them and break one.
lol

 :o
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: rgfixit on Feb 15, 2018, 04:41 PM
There in lies the dilemma. I have a few fly rods in my collection that I struggle to take out on the stream for the reason that they're so rare and unique.

One is an H. Leonard, 10wt bamboo salmon rod circa 1940. It was gifted to me by a friend who was dying of cancer.
It belonged to his Grandfather, a life long fly fisher. I've never tossed a fly with it.

The other is a South Bend #59 that I painstakingly restored to original condition. It's an 8 1/2' 6-7 wt bamboo. It replaced the second fly rod I ever owned that was destroyed in a basement flood.

One other is a Fenwick FF86, circa 1964, in mint condition. It replaced the first flyrod I ever owned. 3 3/4oz ferrulite rod. Too sweet to describe. Slow casting and smooth. A joy to fish with.

They all get attention, but they don't all get stream time.

Rg
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Feb 15, 2018, 08:10 PM
Jeff says no Bob.
If I break a guide, he will replace it.
The blank is guaranteed for life.
Soooo...................


But still..................
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Mar 01, 2018, 02:03 PM
My new blanks for the reel seats, accent rings, and butt cap.
I also ordered the eyes for the rod.
Titanium - ouch!!! $$$
We are finally making progress.


(https://s13.postimg.org/xddnivu37/IMG_2248.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/xddnivu37/)


Well, they finally showed up today.
Jeff says it will take him a week or so to completely turn, route them for the reel feet, and then finish them.
I'll post pics of them when they are done.

About 1/3 of the titanium guides arrived.
The rest are shipping in a couple days they tell me.
We'll see.


Progress...........finally!
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 18, 2018, 07:55 PM
Well, he's wrapping eyes on the rods.
I bought titanium guides.
The ones he recommended.
But we found out they are too tall.

After I received them.

To the tune of $364.00.

ouch!

So he ordered the correct ones.
They don't all need to be the shorter ones.
But the ones on the top half of the rods do.

The new guides are BO'd.
For a long time now.
Fuji guides.
The most popular guide you can buy.
Back freekin ordered.

And I leave for Canada this Saturday about 4AM.

 :-\

He's wrapping the blanks using the taller guides.
The Fuji guides should be here in a few weeks.
When the new guides arrive he will strip off the tall ones and replace them with the shorter Fuji guides.

I'll take pics later this week when he finishes them.

These rods do look sweet though.

 :thumbup_smilie:
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 21, 2018, 07:58 AM
The jigging rod is almost finished.
He assembled and glued the handle last night.
It looks awesome.
He will turn it tonight after work.
Might get it finished.
I'll snap and post a few pics if he finishes it.

Doesn't look like the longer rod will be completed in time for my trip.
I'm bummed, but it is what it is.
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 21, 2018, 08:09 PM
pics of the jigging rod.
The handle is being turned right now.

Hey Bob - check out the wood in that reel seat and also the but cap.
I cannot wait to fish with this thing next week up in Canada.
Wish both rods were finished, but at least the jigging rod will be done.


(https://s8.postimg.cc/tlsbj2lz5/IMG_2416.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tlsbj2lz5/)



(https://s8.postimg.cc/sji50jild/IMG_2417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sji50jild/)



(https://s8.postimg.cc/7mlwvvsa9/IMG_2418.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7mlwvvsa9/)



(https://s8.postimg.cc/g4vd086ip/IMG_2419.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g4vd086ip/)



(https://s8.postimg.cc/rtzco7cwx/IMG_2420.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rtzco7cwx/)



(https://s8.postimg.cc/ghmr6fbxt/IMG_2421.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ghmr6fbxt/)
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: fishnmachine on Jun 21, 2018, 08:12 PM
Swee!    ;D
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: zwiggles on Jun 21, 2018, 08:46 PM
That has some great color! Nice choice
Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: lowaccord66 on Jun 22, 2018, 08:01 AM
Looks good Mac.  My last custom surfrod was 580.  But its worth it to get exactly what you want. 

Title: Re: Two New Custom Built Rods
Post by: sisabdulax on Jun 22, 2018, 08:44 AM
Looks awesome!!