Just replaced 2 guides and cleaned up a little Spinning rod that appears to be from the early to mid '80's. It has the builders name on it, " Bud Earheart " from Mountain Home Arkansas. Just curious, does anyone know this builder ? I am always interested in the builder or manufacturer of some of these rods I get in for repair.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

There was a fellow by that name who for some years built spiral wrapped rods as a large part of his "custom" rod line.

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Have you spelled the name correctly? Try a google search using Bud Earhardt.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/2013 01:07PM by Jim Upton.

googled his name and all i can say is wow

Yes. Jim I did spell his name wrong. I wil google it and see what I come up with
Thanks guys.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

I bought my first spiral wrapped rod from Bud himself at a Bass Masters Classic in the early nineties. I then started selling his rods in my store shortly after. He then sold out to someone else in the early 2000's . The eventually went out of business some years after. Most of the rods were built with gold plated guides and the Blanks were brown or burgundy in color.

Hi Lance. This rod is an ultra light, 6 ft graphite spinning rod with 6 gold frame Hardaloy SF guides. The smallest guide is a #10 and it has an 8 ring tip on it. The blank is a grayish purple gloss finish , reminds me of an earlier All Star blank. Has a Tenn. handle. The handle had gray foam residue on it . Some type of foam tape used for fastening the reel on ( I read something to that effect also when I goggled his name). It has an inscription near the handle. "Bud Erhardt Fishing Stick" . It also has a silhouette of a casting rod on the side of it. This must have been one of his originals.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Bud Erhardt was a Resort Owner, Fishing Guide, Dock Builder, Fishing Rod Manufacturer (he did not build many himself, but had a local manufacturer build probably thousands of various casting and spinning rods), among many other activities.
His were the first quantity produced spiral wrapped casting rods that I ever saw.
Bud sold them at Sport Shows accross the country, and also by Mail Order.
He was also active in local fishing clubs, and involved with the Sportsman's Dinner which raised funds to enhance local fishing.
I first met him in 1981 at his resort on Promised Land Road located on Bull Shoal Lake.
Bud was a real fun guy, and many of us have very fond memories of him.
He passed away a few years ago at his place near Mountain Home, Arkansas

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Thanks a bunch Ron. It's always interesting to me to know the history of some of these rods i get in. Especially interesting when someone knew the builder or manufacturer. Thanks again Ron and Lance.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY