It's been a cooler than usual summer here in Minnesota. A guy asked if I built ice rods and having not yet built one, of course I replied "Yes". :)

I wanted it to be lighter, comfortable, funtional and yet unique. I used a St. Croix carbon ML blank, Batson Double Black chrome guides, and a Batson Pipe Style seat.

I modified the seat by first shortening it an inch. I created a pine shim on the lathe and grooved a channel along the top of it to accept the rod blank. I then rounded the front to give it a more custom look. The rear of the shim projects slightly from the back and is rounded. After the shim and blank were epoxied into the reel seat I masked off a portion and painted it metallic blue. The rest of the reel seat was flocked black.

I shortened the reel seat and offset the blank higher in the reel seat to allow easier access for the ice angler's index finger to rest on the blank. Another benefit was reduced weight. The finished rod weighed in at 1.1 ounces.

I also created a custom decal with Gudebrod pearl white underwrap.

The gentlemen was very pleased with the final result and ordered one for himself.