Is there a good list of questions to pose to the potential customer to help define the custom rod they are looking for you to build?
I came up with the following real quick, but I'd love to see what others have come up with. Thanks in advance.

Baseline questions - Answer as many as possible:

Is this for freshwater or saltwater fishing, or both?
What types of fish are typically targeted (trout, bass, tuna, etc)?
What rod length is preferred?
What type of fishing reel will be used (Spinning, Bait cast, Fly, etc)?
What make and model of fishing reel will be used?

The following specifications can usually be found printed on your favorite rod:

What line weights will be typically used?
What lure weights will be typically used?
What action is preferred (fast, moderate, slow)?
What power is preferred (light, medium-light, medium, medium heavy, heavy)?

Other:

What color or colors are wanted for the threadwork used to secure the guides to the rod?
What name, if any, do you want on the rod?
Is a material other than cork desired for the rod handle (such as Wood or EVA)?
Is there some special decoration wanted (such as marbleizing or a weave)?

RodMaker contained an article on this very topic, along with how to establish a baseline for what your customer wants, in the Volume 12 #3 issue. If you have it, you might want to flip through it and see if you find it helpful. It's based on determining the best rod the customer now owns for his specific purpose and then moving from that point to something that will suit him even better.

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The article in Rodmake is top-notch. Bill Colby wrote it and he did a good job of telling you not only what questions to ask, but when to ask them.

jeremy

Thanks for the reminder. I just got thru finding the issue and reading the article. It is fantastic and just what i was looking for,.

I start by asking the following question:

How will the rod be used? (type of fishing)
Do you have a budget?
Brand preferences?
Do you have a favorite rod? (identify)
What do you like and dislike about it?

I then start discussing the individual specifics, making suggestions along the way to pin down all the choices.

As I only build fly rods (and not cheaply) most of my clients have good ideas about what they want. It is the unknowing customer that can drive you crazy!