When you, as a custom builder build a rod, how long do you expect it to last and how many years of use to you expect the rod to see?

Roger

With proper care and use I plan it to last a life time with some maintenance on the guides along the way. However the way I see most people around here treat rods I would give it 6 years max. It all depends on the type of rod. Mine are 95% salt water , They tend to take a lot of abuse.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

For those who know the actual value of a custom built rod, I think it would be many years of use since most are above average fishermen. However there are still many above average fishermen who a custom rod may not last very long for. One would have to know how that individual takes care of their fishing equipment. I'm thinking a custom built rod would be better taken care of than those who just buy them off the rack due to the uniqe nature of the tool. I thought I heard somewhere that St. Croix thought the average buyer bought a rod every three years but could be wrong on that. Unless one knew how many rods were produced each year it would be difficult to get a handle on. I'm thinking every two to three years might be right for off the rack rods, but it would be harder to put to actual numbers for custom builders and fishermen. I know of a custom builder who has built rods for his kids and grand kids and they are well into their adult years and the rods are still going strong. I expect my personal builds to last a lifetime but even then stuff happens. I hadn't broken a rod for many many years until two years ago, I broke a very nice Shikari due to my own negligence. Hard to put to numbers I suspect for the custom guys.

I've built rods that are in use with over 20 years of service and others that are only good for about 5-6 years. Strange - the people who use them the most / rely on them for charter fishing seem to not care for them as much as private individuals. As Freddy has already posted with reasonable care - simply rinsing in clean water - will easily double the useful life of a rod. I also build mostly saltwater rods primarily for trolling and they get beaten up pretty badly - of course they are used almost every day from April to December so there are some things that are expected. The main problems are fading on thread, corrosion/salt build up on the guide frames and occasional loosening of nylon gimbals on Stuart Tuff Butts (caused by anglers not fish twisting the rod in rod holders).

Rods i build for others i sort of assume 4 to 5 years life.
There are some folks so careless i just stop building for them.

For what it's worth - most commercial manufacturers view the life of a fishing rod as being 3 years. I suspect custom builders hope for much longer than that.

...........

I'll say maybe 6 years. Custom or not about 3 weeks out of the door and customers treat them just like any other rod they bought in the store.
Then again they are made to fish and fish hard they should be. Thats what we want.

I warranty my work for 10 years and the blank warranty is up to the manufacturer. To me 10 years is the lifetime of a rod that being used. I do however primarily build freshwater rods.

I have a Herters glass fly rod that I made in 1963 with the materials that were available at that time. I haven't used it much recently, but it appears that everything on the rod is as built except for the windings. It looks like the varnish has aged and failed in some spots. This tells me that if one takes care of a rod, especially one made with materials we have today, it should last almost indefinitely. Of course the more you use it the more opportunities for mistakes, like stepping on it in a boat or snagging it on some trees, or breaking it putting it into and out of a car.

I expect the rods I have made for my son and grandkids will be around and useful long after I'm gone.

I guess the question is how long will the finish and thread wraps hold up. We know that exposure to UV rays has an effect on the finish. I know some guys that store the rods on a porch and they get sun light every day,others like myself store them indoors away from sunlight. The rods on charter boats are hopefully out in the sun daily. This all has a bearing on the longevity of a rod.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Roger,

I immagine that the life of a rod is really going to be up to the user. I have rods that I built 30 years ago that are still is great condition. I have had to re-wrap the guides over the years but as far as the rest of the rod, I still have the same hypalon grips on it and the same real seat. Granted I am very anal regarding the care of my rods I always wash off after use no matter if I blue water fish or fresh water fish. I use mild soap on the entire rod after every use and and rinse off thuroughly. Most of the work I have done for my customers over the years are re-wraps and new builds. Just my two cents Roger. I have many Cal Star, Sabre, Lamiglas, and Fenwick rods that are at least 12 years old that are just like new, a few dings here and there but work just fine.

Tight Lines,

John Hernandez
SoCal

I take good care of my rods and my saltwater inshore rods still tend to show some corrosion and stress on the finish/wraps after 3-6 years. My freshwater bass rods are all in great shape after many years - some 20+. Keep them inside in climate control and don't ever bang them around and they should last a lifetime. I have repaced a few old varnished wraps.

Rod life depends on a few things:- How much time they spend out in the elements. How well they are cleaned and how they are stored. Saltwater rods need to be cleaned really well on return paying attention to guide frames and they need to be stored out of sunlight. I've got a couple that are 30 odd years old and still in good condition. Guys that realise how much work goes into building one probably look after them better than guys that don't.
ESFNEM Col