Why the Details Matter—and How a Pro Approach Sets Your Custom Fishing Rod Apart
By Kris Kristufek, Professional Rod Builder
Most fishing rods sold today are built for the “average” angler…One who enjoys being on the water and hopefully will catch a fish or two. Commercial manufacturers focus on this “average angler” to mass produce products that appear on sporting goods shelves and racks. They basically are all the same… especially within a particular product line of length, action, power and maybe, more importantly, with the materials used to construct these goods.
A custom fishing rod from yesteryear used to be more of a sign of affluence. A ‘mine is better than yours” snob appeal. Today all of that is exceeded by form and function. A true custom rod will never be found in a sporting goods store. Each must be built to the exact specification of the angler, not the “average” as noted above. One would never consider purchasing a pair of “custom” shoes without first being interviewed, then measured, and ultimately choosing the materials that will be used. A true custom fishing rod is no different.
Some estimate that there are close to 300,000 custom fishing rod builders in the USA. Of those, there are only a very few professional rod builders who have taken extra time to educate themselves on what the differences are, and how to produce a product that will out-perform every single time. Most of the custom builders are hobbyists who are searching for the secret formula to make something different. Many of them are nothing more than assemblers of parts and use published charts/instructions on how to assemble these parts to make a rod. A true custom fishing rod is much more than glitzy artistic colorful aesthetics that attract the attention of the angler.
A true professional custom fishing rod builder is one who has educated himself, has years of experience and has surrounded himself with the knowledgeable industry experts relying on their professional engineers. He then chooses component parts with consideration to making the very best product possible. Choosing a builder of your custom fishing rod should not be greatly different than choosing any professional for a needed product or service. Choose wisely. Compromise Elsewhere!
There are several hundred if not a thousand or so rod blank models manufactured in domestic rod factories in North America and a boat-load more made off shore. Each of these rod blanks becomes the start of what we call a fishing rod. Further, each of them, mass produced and basically constructed by hand rolling a fabric around a mandrel to form the shape we have come to know as a fishing rod. The processes used vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and the quality of the raw material, the fabric of the rod, varies widely. Sure there is some specific machinery used in these factories, but the start of the process is always done by hand! The process of tacking the scrim material to the mandrel is one that no machine can accomplish. The cutting of this scrim material is another variable where some factories use a straight edge and a box cutter to make the parts. Others use computer operated cutting machines to make redundant identical parts. Resin formulas and curing systems likewise may vary greatly.
Because of this intricate start of the process, differences in quality are huge, as is the market price of high-end produced products. It takes exactly the same amount of time to build out a rod on an inexpensive poorly built blank as it does to build on one that truly will outperform anything else.
Experience has proven that approximately 70% of all manufactured rods found in sporting goods stores, are not built with consideration to the spine or backbone of the rod. Again the reason this occurs, is simple it takes additional time and as the rod is built for the average angler who probably never even knew that there was a spine inherently built into the rod blank to begin with. A rod built off spine is one that will not cast straight, will twist and turn with torque as when fighting a fish, and will not “feel” good in your hand. If we return to the analogy of custom shoes, a size 10 shoe will not fit everyone and will be uncomfortable to many!
Before we begin to weigh in on the, “why does a custom rod cost more,” let’s make one thing clear. Both manufactured rods and custom rods will help you catch more fish. The differences in these tools is great, however. Let’s dive-in to these differences.
Quality raw materials simply cost more. The engineering processes used to produce high modulus, light weight carbon fiber scrim materials, then the bonding resins to keep the fibers in line continue to be refined by demanding chemists and engineers. Measuring tools to prove these differences so advertising claims can be verified, for example “50% lighter and 100% more durable” are not subjective statements. Today’s carbon fiber materials are produced from space age aeronautical demanding materials. The fishing industry is fortunate to be the benefactor of this industry. The same is true with the bonding resins, where microscopic small silica marbles are impregnated into special resins to take up space, but yet have the bonding properties necessary to make a structurally solid light-weight part.
There are only 4 or 5 blank manufacturers that pay special attention to their high end product line with these ultra high quality,very expensive raw materials. And fewer of them have the necessary testing equipment to maintain increditable tolerances and measure each part against off-specification defects. The end result means that these products or parts will cost more, but the benefits outweigh the cost differences.
Simple things that cause rejection are blanks that twist when stressed, or have dog-legged tips, or flaws in the taper step down, or worse, the failed straight line when tacking the scrim to the mandrel in the first place. Again, experience has proven that low end, low priced rod blanks may vary greatly with quality and there is no consistency within a model series.
A true custom fishing rod builder has researched the marketplace to find suppliers of materials and parts who produce consistently measurable high quality goods, then purchase these products because of the quality rather than the cost savings. This same professional builder would much prefer to explain his pricing over apologizing for the quality of the finished product.
Before the build-out process begins, a true professional builder will consult and interview the angler for exactly what he wants in his new fishing rod. The time necessary to understand exactly what species and techniques will be used when fishing drive the selection of the parts to be used in the finished rod. Discriminating anglers demand much more than one size fits all tools. Important issues such as what reel will be used determines what kind of reel seat will be necessary. Hand and arm measurements are necessary so the handle system fits like a glove and makes the outfit ergonomically comfortable. Rod length, action, and power enter the discussion, as does thread color, inscriptions and a lot more. It is not unusual to spend upwards of an hour in this interview process alone! A custom fishing rod is not and cannot be built for the average fisherman!
The build out process continues with selection of handle materials with consideration to function, weight, comfortability, even to the personal anatomy of the fisherman’s hands and other special needs. These handle materials are carefully assembled in the builders rod shop, then shaped and finished as appropriate. Elliptical wood or cork inlays, checkerboards, metallic trim bands and more are all possible in handle systems. These are one-of-a-kind handle systems that are not available in a catalog somewhere.
The reel seat comes into consideration as an important part of the rod that holds the (sometimes very expensive) reel firmly to the rod blank. Inexpensive plastic seats are completely inappropriate for any custom rod. Fine CNC machined exotic stainless rust proof metals along with exotic stabilized wood inserts or texalium fiber inserts and more are available.
The builder will have determined in the interview process what kind of line guides will be used, then he will select highly engineered light weight materials with ceramic inserts ground smooth as silk. Likely more guides will be used in the guide train of a custom rod than will be found in a manufactured rod, so there will be no sharp angles when the rod is placed under load. Guide placement stations are determined using tools and charts designed for equal angles between the guides when the parabolic rod blank is loaded under stress, then checked using a static distribution process to prove the locations. Each rod blank is different, thus charts produced prior are only long range guides to be considered. Then fine whipping threads designed for rod building will be used to attach the guides to the rod blank, after which fine 2-part flexible epoxy finish seals the threads to the rod blank.
Finally, if requested by the owner, aesthetic artistic decoration can be added to the rod. Things like metallic tipping, thread cross-wrapping, weaving, colorful thread allusions, feather inlays, exotic snake skin inlays, abalone shell inlays and more, add to the beauty and value of the rod without sacrificing function. Don’t forget that your custom rod will also be engraved with your name or special inscription at no extra charge!
Other issues such as warranty, maintenance education, invoicing, tax collection, packaging for shipping and more also increase the ultimate cost. A professional rod builder is running a small business. It is likely not his hobby, but could well be a result of a hobby.
Each LakeLady Custom Rod comes with its own case! A professionally embroidered protective rod sock with the owner’s name embroidered. No off-the-shelf manufacturer would or could produce such a product.
The end result of all of this is a perfectly built and constructed fishing rod, that is balanced to feel weightless in the hand, casts with accuracy with increased distance with the same amount of effort, and has been built to the exact specifications of the angler. The rod will be built with care, to be Bold, Innovative, and with Imagination. It will be the most sensitive rod you will fish with for the species designed. Compromise Elsewhere.
Bottom line, of course, considering all of the above and more, the finished product will cost more for sure than a similar manufactured rod. Anything custom takes time and expertise. Only a professional custom fishing rod builder should be chosen to build your next rod. It is his knowledge and expertise that you are paying for above the cost of high-end select materials. Be sure to ask your builder for his professional credentials and accreditations.
Contact Information:
29297 Piney Way Breezy Point, MN 56472
www.lakeladyrods.com
rodbuilder@lakeladyrods.com
218-251-2626