Hi everyone! I'm Justin Goodwin and I live in Tallahassee, FL. I'm from Pensacola, FL and grew up fishing but now in my mid 20's I've gotten into doing a lot of hobby/hands on things (and I still fish). I just ordered Tom Kirkman's rod building guide off of Amazon because I want to start making rods for myself, and maybe if I have a nack for it, for sale later on.

Where on earth do I start?....obviously I've ordered the "how to" book but it hasn't come in yet. What kind of equipment do I need, what are good/professional level graphite blanks to buy, and what advice would you give to a newbie? Thanks!

Justin Goodwin

Mudhole.com has a new begginers catalog.

It might be best to describe the type of rod you want to build.

Ahh of course...sorry. I fish primarily in salt water for inshore (speckled trout, redfish, spanish mackerel, etc) and offshore spinning (cobia, amberjack, snapper, grouper, etc.)

I could tell you what I want......a nice 8wt flyrod.....

Do you know what you want in a rod? 6' 7' 8', anything in between, casting or spinning, or fly(I'm dobting that is the case though).

There are a few rod builders listed in FL that might give you a leg up. Check them out.
[www.tackleworks.org]

Equipment needed kind of depends on how deep you get into the craft but you can build & wrap rods with very little equipment requirements.

Something to support the rod, as simple as a cardboard box with "v" notches cut out and a bobben to hold & tension the thread.

There is a tutorial for making a good wooden hand wrapper in the LIBRARY section here (see button above).

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

For inshore purposes I love fishing with a 6'6'', for offshore I love anything between 6'-7', but then again...I don't know much.

And I only fish spinning and baitcasting. No fly fishing yet, but who knows.

You're in florida too, Isn't mudhole HQ'd there?

We are about 4 to 4-1/2 hours south of Tallahassee, in Oviedo, FL., which is just east of Orlando. Come down and check out our facility. It is the "Candy Store For Rod Builders".

Bob McKamey
bobm@mudhole.com

Mudhole would be a great place to visit. Meeting Bob is an education in itself, along with Todd and Scott!! You started right by getting Tom's book. Actually, you need very little in the way of equipment to get started. Don't be in to much of a hurry to but expensive equipment until you find out what's available and what will serve your purpose. I've been building for 20+ years and use mostly home made equipment. Register on the Photo page and look through the Equipment. Read the Glossary, FAQ's and Library pages at the top of this page. There is also a LARGE collection of tutorials available at [rodbuildingtutorials.com] Don't hesitate to ask questions here and use the SEARCH function (select ALL DATES as there are many years of posts that are archived.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Justin,
The Mudhole catalog has a list of tools and supplies tbat will get you started.
Also if you have a chance check out the classes that Mud Hole conducts at their facility.
I just attended the class they held in Sacramento and it was excellent.
Consider starting out with one of their kits as all the components are included.

Bill Davidor

I suggest you start by reading the subjects in this sites, Library, Glossary & FAQ's. Also peruse the photos of equipment.

Doing this along with Tom's book should start you along the right path, especially if you meet with someone like Mudhole or others that can offer advice and direction.

On the buy/sell page is a post by william white with some rainshadow and st.croix blanks for sale. I bought three of them for my first builds and feel like I got a very good deal on them. Tom's book will be very helpful in answering your questions about tools ,materials and components.

Thank you all so much for all of your advice! I'm so excited to get started and your input was EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you!

Justin Goodwin

Justin,
About the very best thing that you could do would be to go to a good rod building class, or work under the direction of a good rod builder for the time of building your first rod.
Sure, a person can read, watch videos and learn, but the lessons come so much quicker when you are the watchful eyes of a good builder and teacher.
Then, when you get into an ackward situation, the teacher will have the quick little trick that gets you through that situation.

Also, when you have a question, you only have to ask and the answer will be provided.

Good luck
Roger

Go to Mudhole.Com. Top of the page Rod building 101 lots of info there. try youtube "rodbuilding" more info, also look here on the left RM Library Program