I finally completed a much-delayed rod for myself. I have been wanting a baitcasting rod for finesse bass fishing. I ordered a 6-6 blank from CTS, Titanium guides, and Ray Jorgensen (Classic Custom Wood) made some split handles for me. I've got to get some pics of it up as soon as I can. The total weight of the rod comes in under 4 ounces (my goal weight). I am very pleased with the rod. There's nothing fancy about, but it does exactly what I was hoping for. I've had the chance to catch a few fish on it. It handles very nicely. Ray did a great job on the handles. It casts very well--plenty of distance and accuracy. Most of my bass fishing buddies would call it a buggy whip, but I've caught several fish up to 2-3 lbs. I'll see them at the weigh-in. Nothing like playing a mean bass on 6 lbs. line, light action rod and plenty of stuff for the fish to get into.

Thanks to Ray for the handle assembly, Stephen Pratt at CTS, and the guys at Custom Tackle. I hope money allows me to build some more like it.

Sean,

Where's the pictures. With a Ray Jorgensen handles it must be sweet.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

CTS and Ray? Great combination, for darned sure!! Throw Bob with Custom Tackle in there and it only gets better!

Lots of guys had the same reaction to your message as I did. The words "nothing fancy" and Ray Jorgensen in the same sentence is an oxymoron.

I had Ray keep the wood simple. There are no inlays or anything that he would do in his own design. It is beautiful, though.