I was a better cop for 28 years than a rodbuilder for the last three, so let me draw on that police experience for my advice to you. Go to the guy's shop or business or whatever, sit down and tell him the things you have heard. Tell him that you can't believe that those things are true, but just wanted to let him know what people are saying about HIM, as you understand how hurtful that can be
Forum: rodboard

I've been building rods for about three years and have now been asked by a local tackle shop to do their repairs. I haven't done but a few repairs before and now have two problems: 1. The first rods the shop gave me are old and each needs a guide replaced. All are the same rod model and thread wrap (triple wrap) design (boat rods for a local sport boat). The top wrap is orange (Guidebrod #
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Emory, My answer would be, "Yes". They are both custom, because they are not what one can buy off the rack. I have just had it suggested tom me that I build some rods "just like the manufacturer, but use some different colors and sell them as "Custom". No soap radio. I agree with you that a specific aplication rod is custom, as well as a "fancy" butt wrap
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Emory, I have been asked by several people to make a number of "custom" rods for them to resell. I have always told them, "no", because, to me, custom means CUSTOM and each rod is made to that fisherman's specifications. So, I make them one at a time with that person in mind and measurement. I don;t know what this guy has in mind as far as taking the custom orders, ref
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I just got a call from a local shop that wants to develope a "relationship" with me for building custom rods for their customers and complete repairs. I have been building rods for a little over a year and have sold a dozen or so -- but always directly to the end-user. I have reviewed the pricing articles in RodMaker Magazine (I couldn't find one of the three issues on pricing, but di
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My mentor says, and it is true, it doesn't matter how much you put on, but how much you take OFF. Gob it on, put the torch to it and wick the excess off the bottom. Works for me! JC
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I am building a 13', 20# -- 40#, 6 oz. rod. I used 16s for the last three, because that was the smallest top I could find to fit the rod. I test-casted it the other day on a local football field: 61 yds. I thought that was pretty good. JC
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Only about a year and a half. It takes me a LONG time to build a decent rod. It would take me a lot longer had I not had a mentor who has been in the business over 15 years. I can sell rods now and be proud of my product, but am still so inferior to the masters! JC
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I am building my first surf rod and . . . so far, so good . . . but here is my question: I want to maximize visibility of the rod tip for night fishing. My ideas are as follows: (1) Use a (clear) glow-in-the-dark finish on the top wrap prior to final finishing, (2) Use silver metalic thread in the top wrap (3) Clip on a small chem-light when fishing Any input and ideas are appreciated!
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Tom, It will be for a spinning outfit. All of my conventionals are spiral-wrapped! JC
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I've built some long (fly) rods, but never a surf rod. I am starting a '13 surf rod, ATC E-Glass, rated for 20 - 40 #, 6 oz. I know the number of guides should be minimized, as lack of friction = casting distance, which is important in the surf. Surf rods I've looked at seem to have fewer guides than say a fresh water spinning rod. Any advice and direction would be appreciated. JC
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You may tryu to contact U.S. Customs and/ or U.S. Fish and Wildlife to see what they do with confiscated ivory. They may "legitimize" it and @#$%& it(?) Just an idea . . . and most of my ideas get me into trouble! Good Luck! JC
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I have noticed a "J" size notation when buying guides. What is it? Thanks in advance, JC
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Not to disagree with anyone, but I recently had a customer want his reel seat on a bass rod downlocking instead of uplocking (turns out it made good sense). Anyway, I put the propane torch to it and firmly twisted with pliers. It came off. I did not have the guides on yet, so running it up the blank was not an issue . . . though it was a little messy.
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I was just thumbing through some past issues of Rodmaker Magazine and thought, what if there was a regular feature, "Weave Pattern of the Month"!? It's the best idea I ever had, so Tom, be gentle when you shoot it down! Best regards, JC
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There is an easy fix: Simply have a check box on the order form (net or mail) indicating, "Do you wish only a full order be shipped?" By checking the box, you are agreeing to wait for the entire order to be filled prior to shipping. That is fine with me. I hate paying the extra shipping! JC
Forum: rodboard

There is an easy fix: Simply have a check box indicating, "Do you wish only a full order be shipped?" By checking the box, you are agreeing to wait for the entire order to be filled prior to shipping. That is fine with me. I hate paying the extra shipping! JC
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I've been selling rods for about six months. Handed out cards to "everyone". Donated four or five rods to charity silent @#$%&/ golf tournaments. Showed off a spiral wrap i did on an albacore boat (freaked everyone out until I got hooked up, then I got a lot of positive comments once they understood the concept). I've only sold five rods. Three of those were a single order for matc
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Even though I have made and sold some of these acid-wrapped rods, I had never fished with one until yesterday. I made myself an albacore rod with a Seeker 196H-7. Torium 30 reel. I've got two transition guides beyond the stripper, then four #8 boat guides on the bottom. Took a lot of kidding when I got on the boat, but when I hooked up about a 28 lb. Albacore yesterday morning and the rod was
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Jim, The same bugs are out here in El Cajon, too! Thank you all for the advice. My next one should go easier! JC
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I've been building rods for a little over a year. I have a mentor, thank goodness, who spent a lot of time with me showing me how to (amoung other things) finish. He domonstrated and supervised and finishing is still the most difficult thing about rod building for me. I am using Classic Coat and it takes me about three one-ounce batches to get through a 7' saltwater rod. Here is exactly what
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I am building only my second flyrod, a Sage XP-590-4. The second section has no guide on or near the ferrule. The third section has a guide perfectly situated on the female side of the ferrule. The fourth section is the problem. The tip of the guide foot is about 1/2" away from the edge of the ferrule. What to do?! I think my options are: 1. Move the guide. 2. Lengthen the wrap
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I did 3 USMC rods this year. Use the gold as trim and they are awesome! I used chevrons of gold with a seperation/ background of royal blue and an outline of gold. You will like it! Semper fi, Devel Dog, JC Former Corporal, USMC
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I got a guy that wants a hypalon grip on his flyrod. Problem is, the butt dia. is 0.340 and I can not find a long enoung piece of 1/4" ID. I figured out that 3/8" is too big. Is a 24" X 2" X 2" block my only resort? My appreciation in advance, JC
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Steve, Try taking a black Sharpie marker to a spool of size "A" Orange thread. Clemens, in Advanced Custom Rod Building calls it "Amazing Wraps" (pg. 239). Use the Sharpie from side to side on the spool. It will only penetrate one layer at a time. The resulting wrap is very interesting. JC
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I am going to make two fly rods, both 6Wt, one 8'mod/fast and one 9'fast. The info I have is to use #3 and #4 guides. I am not flyfisher, but, man those look small! Is that right, or does anyone else have suggestions on guide size? My appreciation in advance, JC
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I had a nasty scratch I colored with testors, then epoxied over. Couldn't see it. Hope the scratch is not too long. JC
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Thomas, the design sounds great, but you may want to rethink the color of the star. I believe a blue star is displayed by families with a son or daughter in the military during war time. A gold star is a symbol of something much sadder. I have recently wrapped three rods with a Marine Corps theme. All came out great and I know yours will, too. My son and daughter's boyfriend both are in the
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I will be building a drying box, now. You see, I put the third and last coat of finish on a very nice rod at 1600 hrs. this evening. I went out to put it to bed at 2000 hrs. and realized that the dirty trays from last night calimari had drawn some bar flies, which . . . drawn by the light, had adheared to the not-quite-finished-finish. Tweezers got them off, but now I will be busy with some fi
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Lou, I was using FlexCoat. In the past, I have had similar problems with DuraGloss, but the directions on DuraGloss say not to flame the finish or it will cause MORE bubbles. Tom, I sanded a little with 340, then 1000 grit and put on another coat of finish. All is well, now. Thank you both, JC
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