To EVERYBODY, Thank you very much for enlightening me with your wisdom. I really learned alot from your suggestions and will definetly have to take them to heart and use them to pick out a blank. THANK YOU, Tony
Forum: rodboard

Dear Everybody, I've tried to do a search on this subject on this board and the only thing I come up with is Butterfly jig rods, which I know the difference, and Ice Jig rods, like the ones that you fish with when you're sitting in the wood shed on top of a frozen lake. Not the kind of ice jigging I am refering to, due to the fact that here in California that's not too popular. I'm looking
Forum: rodboard

I was thinking of building a different handle on my bass rods and was walking through a local bass store the other day and noticed "Kistler's" BLACK handle material to be very light and very sensitive. Does anybody know what this material is and how I can get my hands on some? What are some helpful tips on working with this material? Thanks,
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking to make some bass fishing rods for the upcoming season and wanted to know some of your inputs and reasoning behind it. Here on the West Coast Hypalon is really popular due to the use of it on most Saltwater custom rods. What do you feel is better and please explain your reasoning? Which is more sensitive and/or lighter? Thanks, Tony
Forum: rodboard

Mr. Kirkman, I will be looking forward to that article as I am currently a subscriber to your magazine to learn as the reason why I post on this website. I learn alot and I am an avid bass fisherman. Keep up the awesome work. You have a great magazine and very informative site. Now that I've given my props to Tom. I would like to say somethings about some other comments from others here on t
Forum: rodboard

I've been hearing alot of great things on this board regarding CTS blanks plus a local and an East Coast rodbuilder referred me to build on them. I would like to know what is your opinions for CTS rod blank suggestions on the following applications: Dropshot Crankbait Topwater Frog Pitchin' Flippin' Wormin' Shakey Head Darter Head Spinnerbait Swimbait (small) Swimbait
Forum: rodboard

I was thinking more along the lines of engraving a pattern. Like a picture or something along those lines. Thanks, Tony
Forum: rodboard

I saw pics of a custom made rod that had lines engraved into the foregrip. I was just wondering how you do this. I was told by a local wrapper that "BILLY VIVONA" would be the expert on this. But wanted to ask ALL of you on your input on this and How the each of you would answer this. How do you engrave into EVA and Hypalon? What is the best way to engrave into EVA and Hypal
Forum: rodboard

I need help on the following. I've heard some really great things regarding the Graphite USA blanks, a.k.a. G-USA blanks, here on the west coast regarding Saltwater and some freshwater. Just wondering if any of you have experience building on G-USA blanks and if you could help me out on some suggestions of blanks on the following applications? What G-USA blanks would you suggest for the
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking to make some split rear handles on some freshwater bass rods and need some help on the following. I don't know if any of you has heard of a japanese company that makes a really awesome rod by the name of "Megabass" but if you have seen their handles you know what I mean in this post. Most split rear grips have a small cork butt cap that is only an inch and a half long
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking to build a Drop Shot Spinning Rod but am looking at doing something different. I want to build the same reel seat on the Loomis Drop Shot Rods. Does anybody know where or how I can build one of these reel seats? Thanks, Tony
Forum: rodboard

I am looking at getting into some SHIKARI blanks and really need some help. I am building only Freshwater Bass Rods and need the lightest blanks and best quality. Here in Southern Cali, Shikari blanks is all most of the bass fishermen that know blanks talk about. I need some help with blanks for the following applications, both SHII and SHIII and if applicable in SHX: Drop-Shot Shake
Forum: rodboard

Hey Tom, Thanks for the suggestions. The Wonder Weaver is a bit out of my price range and I'm not really looking for 3-D wraps. I like the quality of DOC's Weave Looms. The price is very good for a very high quality product. I don't have any experience with the Easy Weave Looms. But have checked out the website and I think I will stick with DOC's weave looms. It's just anything that I have
Forum: rodboard

I am beginner for the most part in this fine art of ours and have recently started decorative weaving because I've written my own pattern to put on all of my rods as my signature amongst others. I purchased "Decorative Weaving" by Doc Ski and I do have to say that is by far the best video you can ever get on the Art and I do mean ART. Because the possibilities you have if you have an
Forum: rodboard

According to Cabelas the foregrip is attached to the reel seat. What can I do to remove it safely without harming the reel seat? Thanks, Tony
Forum: rodboard

I was searching on the net for a reel seat to suit my situation and found a reel seat that was very interesting and thought of buying it until I found out that the seat only comes in a handle kit and to top it off the foregrip is mounted onto the reel seat. That's a problem because I don't like to use cork on my handles and this handle kit comes with cork. Do any of you have any sugg
Forum: rodboard

I recently found a custom made rod with a Titanium butt cap. Any suggestions on where you can find one? Thanks, Tony
Forum: rodboard

Dear Guys and Gals, I'm looking to build a series of Freshwater Bass Rods for myself to test out and market. I'm looking some components that only have to be the lightest possible but also fit my ideal needs. I'm looking to hopefully build these rods and use them so I may showcase my handy work and have more people request similiar builds. I'm looking the the lightest possible graphite trig
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking at building a rod as a gift for my friend in Hawaii. I know he does alot of Ulua fishing. I'm here on the West Coast and am familiar with the fishes of the world and I know what an Ulua is. Just haven't ever caught one and don't know what kind of fish I'm dealing with when building a rod. I have always wanted to because from what I hear from my friend. It is definitly a fish fight tha
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys, The suggestion of the heavier rod is exactly what the doctor ordered. I just got off of the phone with my friend and he told me that he's not really going to be fishing for papeo. He told me which fish and I think it was mentioned on this board. Not sure what was the name of the fish. The only problem I have now is to find out how much shipping is going to be for an oversized package
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys, I just got off the phone with my friend and what he's asking for is the following, you advice is respected: 9 foot spinning 4-6lb test line small to medium plugs Any blank suggestions would be appreciated. If you have any "Batson" blanks that you would recommend would really be greatly appreciated, since I like the "Batson" line of blanks for the quality a
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys, Thanks for all of the help and advice................................. Mr. Batson thank you especially from you. I especially like your line of blanks and am glad that you can conviene and suggest some blanks of your line that would work for this application. I have been to Hawaii. I've been to Honululu. That's where my friend is from. He heard from another fellow co-worker that I
Forum: rodboard

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, This student of this fine art has learned alot from the masters that roam these boards. I look to you masters of the art of rodbuilding for much needed information. I have a friend that live on the Hawaiian Islands that requested me to make a "Whipping" rod for him. What is a "Whipping" Rod? What are some good suggestions for blanks for
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys and Gals, Thank you for all of the suggestions on my last post. It helped alot. I thought I could just take your suggestions and compare them with the "Batson" line and come out on top. I've having alot of difficulty with that idea. I have heard alot of things on the "Batson" line and for the money you can't seem to beat it. You get a high quality rod blank with an
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys and Gals, I'm looking to join the Bass Fishing Tournament Circuit and have just began to building fishing rods. I would also like to plug a fellow legendary rodbuilder in my area (southern california) and that is my Sensei Doc Ski. He is the best guy you could ever learn anything regarding Rodbuilding from. My question to you all is: What rod blanks would you recommend for the f
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys, You guys are a really awesome source of information for an up and beginner in this beautiful industry of ours. Doc Ski, your rod building video is hands down the best thing that could happen for beginners, especially for West Coast rodbuilders. The reason for my post is because I am looking at "Batson" for the source of the majority of my rod blanks to build with but
Forum: rodboard