I've mostly gone with supplying rod components for rod builders in the past few years, more than building and selling custom rods myself. Though I like to build rods I'll use fishing or the special ones for locals that appreciate this.
Of late on my slate is to build another Walleye custom rod that will be displayed and put up as a prize draw for a river walleye tournament. The organizing committee sells tickets to the public on the top 10 prizes to be drawn. Last year this custom package (with reel) was item #6 on the list and it brings attention for the selling of tickets that helps the tournament along and recognition for my business and the craft of custom rod building.

I'm using the new SCIV St. Croix blank next for a fellow that is retiring and his crew wanted it personalized, etc. That blank is the most beautiful cobalt blue I've ever seen, and it's the tournament performance level for a rod I think deserves custom acoutriments such as Titan guides which is probably what I'll use to bring it up to 'state of the art'. It helps get the craft out there for what one can get in custom. This will be walleye in this case. The bass rods using this blank should be nothing short of fantastic.

The other just lined up is a memorium rod that a group of hockey players want for a recently passed away member. They will put it up for a contest to the winner. I guess it has to do with the game of who plays better hockey. Anyway, they want a way to remember their past friend or relative. What I like seeing is that people are out there who like the idea of something special for a gift, and a custom rod comes to mind. They won't mind paying for it, as they collect from a group and know you will do a good job to present the rod they want.

Keep that in mind for some ideas on your custom rod building. There are opportunities if you get known by those what you will do for them on a custom rod. Personalization goes a long way, and it's simple with weave and lettering...add some choice in your mind to make the rod better appearing along with assured performance and it can lock up a sale for you that you'll enjoy doing and become memorable.


Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

(St. Croix.....American Tackle...and more....Rod Supplies for the rod builder with personalize service)

email: info@rodreel.com

807-486-0514