I am looking for a rod blank. I wrapped a trout rod a while ago the blank I bought at Fred hall for two bucks, then I went over too Rod crafters and thirty dollars later I had some Fuji guides and reel seat.
I gave it to my son age five, it was the only way I could get him to give up his Snoopy rod, he was pretty stoked to use it, and caught many Mackerel and Ronkie’s (SP) Sunday on the way to the beach, the dog stepped on it. There is nothing sadder than watching a kid try to fix a fishing rod with Duct tape…. I have cut off the guides and I think I can salvage the reel seat. So I am looking for a cork handle and some epoxy.
Could some one recommend a place to buy another blank CHEAP? You can’t imagine what a kid and dog can do to a nice rod.

Matt W

Don't know where you live, with that in mind... Tackle Town in Oceanside, and Squid Co. both have some cheap blanks.

Amish Ed

Thanks Ed,

I live in SB. But I have changed my mind about making the rod for him. He really is tuff on things, so I am planning on finding something at Big Five or Sport mart for him.
But I would like to build another rod for myself. Can anyone recommend an online store I could buy blanks from?


Matt W

Try Badfish.com. Louis is a great guy and very helpful. You can find his posts about rodbuilding on Allcoast's Rodbuilding Board.Or Mudhole, or Dale Clemens site, or Cabelas,or Barlows...
Amish Ed

Thanks, Ed

So many cool sites. now I'm thinking about a bait casting rod also. I will post a report on begining rod building later in the year. I should know a lotabout what not to do.


Matt W

It's a great hobby, but very dangerous to start doing. I've spent way too much money on rodbuilding stuff. I've done 12 rods now, I've got huge list of what-not-to's. The list grows after every rod. But things get better also. Good luck

Amish Ed

share your list. We need a good laugh and we might learn something.

Tight lines,
Wade

Here's my list:

Rule #1- Do not add melted plastic to flexcoat.

Rule #2- Do not spill flexcoat on yourself.

Rule #3- Do not tip over alcohol lamp, letting alcohol spill all over the table.

Rule #4- If you do spill alcohol all over, don't wait until the next day to notice.

Rule #5- When mixing flexcoat, do not vigorously swirl, as in egg beating. This results in many many bubbles.

Rule #6- Don't use Classic Coat.

Rule #7- Have hair dryer, or other heating device ready BEFORE you apply flexcoat.

Rule #8- Portable foot heaters do not work for heating flexcoat.

Rule #9- ALWAYS listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers while wrapping rods. This is the most important rule...

Rule #10- Use a smaller sized thread for the underwrap. It's WAY easier.

Rule #11- Immediately strip any rod you've had wrapped by Ed and re-wrap it... (not amishEd, a different one)

Rule #12- Rod wrapping machines are very useful for stripping line off of reels.

Rule #13- Do not set up your table outside, in the dark with a single light overhead. This immediately attracts all mosquitos and bugs to land on drying flexcoat.

Rule #14- Keep your table as messy and unorganized as possible.

Rule #15- Do not put masking tape between a gimbal and the rod butt, and then try to adhere the gimbal to the masking tape. It doesn't work...

There it is. Follow these easy 15 rules, and you're on your way to building a successful rod.
-Brian

Good thing you figured all that stuff out before you wrap my new Rainshadow SW967! Do you need any Chili Pepper albums, I can download and burn you whatever before I come down.

Sure, if you wanna compile me a cd that'd be super. I don't care what album. Did you see the SW1207??? I WANT IT!!! 10', 15-20, .800 butt, 6.5 tip, Mod-Med. Is that the 6" swimbait calico kelpin rod or what? To give perspective, the 900XL is a butt of .880 and a 6 tip. Sounds like a sweet light jig/heavy plastics rod. This may be the one for those A1's. Go back to that shop and pull on one for me...
-Brian

ahhhhh, that sounds nice. No 10 footers there unfortunately. Too much of a pain to get them shipped. Where are you seeing the available blanks at?