I agree with Bill. I have a guy at work wanting to start bass fishing and I told him to buy a rod/reel and practice learning to cast it in the yard. Either that or buy a couple spinning set ups and come on. Of course, I offered to build some great rods for him :) Most of the guys I fish with don't use the brakes, or maybe just a little brake on their baitcasters. It's all well trained thumb co
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This is going to bring back a ton of people's thoughts. What it boils down to is how much risk are you willing to assume. When I started a business in 2005, I consulted insurance, accountant, attorney, and my local SCORE group (If unfamiliar, SCORE is sponsored by the US Small BUsiness Admin and is made of working and retired executives and business owners to advise and educate entrepreneurs,
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Tom - Question out of curiosity (generated by your "100,000" post)... What are the percentages of custom rod builds broken out by type of rod (if that makes sense). In other words, what % are fly, blue water, freshwater, etc. I know this would be hard to quantify given you have saltwater and freshwater fly, bass, walleye, musky, salmon... specific rods. I just wondered if the composi
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By "regular" jig I'm assuming you mean a jig n pig. There's a lot of difference. Set up for one. Typically use a finesse type worm on a jig head (round, spot remover, etc) for shakey head and of course you know a jig n pig type set up. Shakey head is very common now and I see folks fishing it all kinds of ways. The most common way of fishing it on my home lake is to cast it out,
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Makes sense... thanks for sharing that info Tom.
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I clicked on the rodexpo.com banner above and saw... "The 2008 event is now history. We set new records for attendance (1620+ custom rod builders!), vendors sales and seminar participation. You can read more about the event in the Volume 11 #2 issue of RodMaker Magazine. Check back here in late May for plans and dates for the 2009 event. " Last thing I heard was it was possibl
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Blankless has already been invented. It's called "noodling".
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I use the regular 5 min epoxy on the tip and heat it and it the tip will slide right off. Once it cools down, it's solid again. I haven't had any issues, but I've heard heating epoxy in that manner weakens it. Not sure of the specifics.
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That's a huge compliment. Thanks Scott! Believe it or not, I used the online web builder tool my provider has and just used one of their stock templates. I monkeyed with it a little (removed stock pics, etc), but that's about all it is.
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Wow! Thank you for all the positive and constructive feedback! I've been playing and laying this out for a while. I want to do it right. I'm still really trying to work through the whole pricing strategy right now. I'm torn and after reading RodMaker, it seems folks are kinda all over the place with how they price. Some are common things, some are variables. Just looking at Vol 8 Issue 4, a
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I'm going to put this "live" for just a little while so I can get some feedback on my layout/look, etc. It's going to be a bit before I am ready to launch this but I'm tinkering with the website. I'd appreciate and constructive feedback you care to share. Please know the pics, prices, etc is all subject to change. It's all really there as a rough draft at the moment. Thanks!
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How many of you charge a flat rate for rod construction? I see a lot of builder websites that say something like a flat $70 for construction, but how don't know how they price the blanks, guides, etc? Retail price? Wholesale? Wholesale + markup %?
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Makes me wonder if the camo finish would chip or wear off with moderate or heavy use.
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You might remember her, she was the blonde headed little girl at the ICRBE. She's only 3, but she can cast using a zebco halfway across the yard already.
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Where can I find how to do one of these? I looked in the library and in the excel file, but I don't know the "official" name and there are WAY too many posts when you do a search in the forums. Thanks. **Issue found... Thanks to Bill Stevens for the help!**
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I got mine in the mail today and saw how it's done. I've been trying to come up with colors for a rod for my little girl. I think this is going to be the answer. I'm going to have Mom go pick out some ribbon at hobby lobby this week. I figure that with a pink blank with matching ribbon ought to be jam up for her!
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Watch using USPS too. They are really failing in my book. Here's why: Sent a letter first class... SC to Idaho... took 2 weeks early February. I knew weather was terrible up there then, so I blew it off. Ordered decals from Decal Connection, TN to SC, letter was post marked Feb 29th and I got it 3/31. (they resent me the order after a week and a half went by and I didn't receive... THANK Y
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Jim - Was having trouble getting them straight, so followed some other advice on another post (from Tom), got them straight on the blank. Now my problem is I crink/wrinkle them when applying. I cannot figure out how I goofed up the one last night, but it is incredibly frustrating for me, which I know is playing into my problems. Basically I pull a corner off, get the decal straight, and start
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Again I goofed up a St Croix label. Done using those. I just can't get them right. (sorry for the frustration) I have another problem. Once I took the sticker off, there is just a ton of sticker goop on the epoxy. What will take this off without damaging the epoxy (I used Aftcote epoxy)? I tried a little alcohol and that wouldn't work. Acetone maybe?
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Thanks. I'm already a huge fan of the SCIII series. I just think they are a great value.
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12 - 15 lb - 6'6" or 7' Bill... at some point I'm going to end up giving in and trying one of your blanks.... :)
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Looking for a good blank for a 1/4 - 1/2 oz double blade buzz bait. Suggestions?
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I just had an idea... I have some flex coat I'm not going to use. I wonder if I mixed it up and poured it over dog food, then let it get nice and hard, how frustrated the dog would get trying to eat his food... LOL.. I may have to try this.
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Thank you very much!!!!!
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Is there anything out there that shows the proper technique for using a spatula? I have difficulties from time to time, and I think it's because I learn best by seeing, and I've never seen anyone or even read an explanation on the technique for using a spatula.
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I had the same issue last night. Applied some diamondite and had some ridges and pits - but only on one end of the rod. The difference? On one part of the rod I had put a lamp over it for it to cure, on the other I didn't. The section that didn't have the lamp had some small pits and was a little wavy. I'm guessing the heat made the diffference. Going to recoat tonight with a space heater
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He teases us like this every month... and we always fall for it... :)
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Maybe it was an old article that I saw quoted Skeet Reese using a Rogue. I'll find it.
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Bobby - Good point about bass being in box. Skeet Reese has been quoting talking about his Rogue rods in several things I've seen. A fish is a fish. I don't see why a redfish rod wouldn't work for bass. When I lived on the coast I caught my redfish (up to about 27") inshore on red shad culprit worms and baby 1- crankbaits, so I used bass rods, not "redfish rods". I never mess
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MIke, How much does the threaded insert and base cap weigh (without any additional weights added)? If I read above correctly, it's 3/4 oz. So right off the bat you're adding almost an ounce to that butt.
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