If I was let's say advid bass fisherman and I'm interested in geting some new rods. I run into you at a local tackle store or even a gas station. What would be your words as to why I should look into or buy a custom rod?I'm one of those who shop the big department stores but I but the high end rods off the shelf.How would you sell yourself and your rods?

I would first ask what you believe is the most important aspect of a fishing rod. If your answer is price and I can't change your mind, then I would advise you to go ahead and keep buying from the big box stores.

However, if your answer had anything to do with such things as sensitivity, ergonomics, custom components or anything else that you can only get from a custom built rod then we can have a conversation. There are so many options that you can only get from a custom built rod that it would be hard to mention them all. But here goes...

Blanks - using information that you provide a custom builder can choose the exact blank that will meet your needs. If one does not exist another that is close can be lengthened or shortened.
Handles - You can have your choice of different styles of full grips, split grips, fore grips, no fore grips, etc.
Handle materials - cork, wood, carbon fiber, casting resin, EVA and others.
Guides - Zirconium, aluminum oxide and other types of rings. The guide styles and colors are endless but a good custom builder will recommend the right ones for your rod. Also available are micro guides which generally speaking are guides size 5 or smaller. These provide the advantage of even less weight at the end of the rod and this means more of the blanks sensitivity is retained.
Guide trains - With spinning rods you can get guide layouts that are spaced based upon the size of the reel spool you are using. If you search on this forum for the New Guide Concept you'll learn a lot about its advantages. With casting rods you have options such as the various types of spiral wraps. These make the casting rod stable as a spinning rod. You can search on this also for more specifics.
Personalization - Graphics are another area that give a custom builder an edge. If you want your name or anything else on the rod, it can be done. (Copyright laws should be observed)
Performance - By combining the right blank with the right size guides (not to big not to small but just right) and using the right guide train you can have the best rod possible built for your specific need.

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/2011 08:36AM by Chad Huderle.

If you buy from a good rod builder you will never fish a store bought rod again. I bet you spend top dollar for your reels right? Well they deserve to be fished with a top notch rod. Look at advid golfers they buy custom clubs. Why because the fit them not like store bought clubs. I am not the best builder there is but every customer I have ever sold a rod to has bought atleast two rods from me. Give one a try and I bet you never look back. Just my two cents worth!

I try to tell a person of all the benefits of a custom rod and that I can make a rod to his specifications and that person does not have to hope he can find one in the store. We can select what materials best suit the person for the rod they want. One thing though that Chad said holds true very much around here, if the person is more concerned over what he is paying for a rod, you will not get them to buy a custom rod most of the time.