I finished my first rod a while back, but have been too busy to take it out so far. It is a 6 ft 6-12lb test spinning rod in matte finish with green and gold threadwork. I finally got to take it out a couple of days ago and it was great! It casts nice, and pulled in the largemouth and smallmouth bass like a dream. I really appreciate this site. I haven't posted more than a couple of times so far, but am reading everyone else's questions and suggestions on a very regular basis. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to help everyone else out. You are helping more people than you probably realize. BTW, my second rod is 75% and I am saving what is left to get me through the Kansas winter. I can't wait for spring since we're probably done for fishing this year.

Greg ....
Sure --- but then there are all those other rods that probably need a little attention... Don't know about the fish out your way but YOU'RE HOOKED! Glad that your first foray was a success.
Ken

You've got that right! I think that the only thing keeping me from building 2 or 3 more immediately is $$. Kids tend to take priority for some reason! :)

Greg, Sounds like you are hooked! This is definately the "go to " place for the Rodbuilder. Hang in there and hopefully you will build many more rods before you throw the hook.

Tight wraps,

Pat Barnard
www.patscustomrods.com

You fellows bring up nice points about getting absorbed in the craft as a winter past time. Since there is less time fishing, unless it's ice fishing, that can give you a bit of extra time to work on custom rods for the next season. One may not feel as rushed, and perhaps approach some things that take a little more time, like threadart.

It's a satisfying hobby where you don't need getting carried away with 'quantity' as much as your quality. Of course complete building of one rod can easily move with interest towards the next. A suggestion to stretch interests out about the craft is take up further study through books or videos or special techinques, contact with other builders, and keeping in tune with this site.

The satisfaction of catching a fish on your own cusom built rod can truly be a memory. Don't forget to take picutes of your fishing outings. Often the picture taken will bring more attention to your pride in the the custom rod than the fish! Showing that special bit of extra handle or thread work will give it a distinguishing character. We have a few hanging in our shop that relates to this idea.

Remember, having the winter ahead for rod building can give someone you know for hinting about that 'just right' christmas present to keep you going for the next rod or two.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel
www.rodreel.com

Boy its hard for me to imagine not being able to fish during the winter. Here in S. Fla. the bass start going on the beds in December and fishing is the best of the year from then until April. I tend to build more rods during the summer when the days are longer. (Gets too hot to fish sometimes.) But the with the summer comes the great saltwater fishing. I love building rods, but have to make sure it doesn't interfere with the fishing..................

Ray