Buying a custom rod from a rod builder isn’t a complex process. It can be easier than buying a store-bought or manufactured rod. Store-bought poles are made for many types of anglers and are mass-produced. Mass-produced rod dealers aim to sell as many rods as possible. That’s not the case with custom rod builders who care more about the craftsmanship and care it takes to build the perfect rod for each angler.
If you’ve ever thought of buying a custom rod but don’t know where to begin, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you buy your next custom rod, with everything from researching types of rods to matching with a Rod Seek builder, providing your information and receiving your custom pole.
Before you start your custom rod order, understanding the differences between a custom rod and a store-bought (or manufactured) rod can help you realize the benefits you’re getting. Custom rods have many advantages, but perhaps the biggest difference is personalization.
A custom rod is built for you and only you. The level of personalization you get from a custom rod can’t be matched by a store-bought rod or a rod sold at a big box store.
Custom rod builders make your rod with custom components and add logos, brands, signatures, custom colors, custom thread wraps, and intricate designs that take years to master.
For more about the differences between custom and store-bought rods, including timing, price, materials, and components, check out our article “Custom vs. Store-Bought: What’s the difference?”
1. Know what type of water you fish in
Whether you’re a saltwater angler or freshwater angler will determine the type of custom rod you order from your rod builder. In short, saltwater typically refers to the ocean or large body of saltwater. Because the catch is often bigger in saltwater, a saltwater rod is sturdier and heavier than freshwater rods.
Freshwater fishing refers to lakes, rivers, and ponds. The poles vary in taper, length, and flexibility. The best freshwater rods are stiff enough to provide hook-setting resistance and flexible enough to absorb the pull of a fighting fish.
2. Decide what type of rod you want
You can choose from many types of rods like casting, spinning, fly rod, ice rod, etc. These rods have their own set of characteristics. For instance, casting rods are made to have the reel sit on top of the rod with the spine underneath the rod and are a better choice for experienced anglers. Spinning rods are considered more accessible for beginners because of the combination of casting ease and performance when throwing a wide variety of tackle.
Once you’ve determined the type of rod you want to be built, you can narrow down your builders by their level of expertise for each rod type.
3. Does location matter?
Rod Seek has a network of rod builders from many of the most popular fishing regions around the country, and we are continuing to grow our marketplace. Our builders are experienced in building rods for all water types and locations. But if you’d prefer a rod builder near you, you can filter by region.
4. Choose the right builder for you
Please take a look at our rod builders to find the builder that suits your rod type, rod material, experience level, and other criteria you feel are essential to building your custom rod.
Each builder in the Rod Seek network has unique building and design capabilities and different backgrounds and stories about how they got started in rod building.
You can take some time to browse their profile, view past work, evaluate their price ranges, read reviews, and learn about each builder to see which one is right for you.
5. Get in touch
Contacting your builder on Rod Seek is easy. Fill out the form at the bottom of the builder’s profile page, and they will be in touch shortly. Can’t decide on a builder? Based on your responses to a few questions, we'll match you to a builder.
6. Be as detailed as possible
When your builder responds to your message, they will ask for more information about your project. It will help your builder determine the next steps if you are honest and detailed about what you want and about your expectations.
“Some of the best work I’ve done has been for clients who know what they want and are detailed in what they ask for,” says Forrest Peters, builder for Lone Wolf Rods. “And if you don’t quite know what you want or need guidance, I can help point you in the right direction, too.”
Ultimately, the more communication with your custom rod builder upfront in the building process, the better it will be for you and your rod builder throughout. Many builders in the Rod Seek network will send you pictures of your rod as they build so you can see your creation coming together in real-time. When you receive your rod, look it over and let your builder know it arrived so they can mark the project complete.
Happy with your new custom rod? Please leave a review for your rod builder to help them get more business and to help other anglers match with expert rod builders for their best fishing experience.
Rod Seek has a mission to connect as many rod seekers with rod builders as possible and bring to light the amazing custom work being done by skilled, independent builders here in the USA.
