Rod builders will have various skill sets depending on the types of rods they specialize in and the services they offer, like their experience, design capabilities, the materials and components they use, and reviews.
Experience
A builder with more experience than another doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a better builder or the better builder for your project. But it is a good indicator of how many rods they have built and how much direction they can provide you if you need help making decisions.
All of our rod builders have years of experience building custom rods, so whoever you choose, you know you’re getting a leader in the industry.
Design is a subjective and personal attribute. You may like one builder’s design capabilities or ideas over another, and that’s okay! That’s why it’s important to browse images of different builders’ rods and design work. This will help you get a sense if you’re a good fit.
Materials and Components
With custom-built rods, each one of these components are built from materials for the type of fishing you prefer. Your custom rod builder will want to know lure sizes, the type of water you fish and how often, how you transport your rods, and other information that helps them determine the components you need. This gives the custom rod builder direction on optimal rod length. From there, they’ll look to understand more about the locations you like to fish and if you have any issues with grips causing blisters or not being placed correctly for leverage.
Materials and components make up a majority of the build, so be sure to ask about the types of materials your builder uses and the type of components you want on your rod.
Reviews
There are few better ways to understand the quality of a custom rod builder’s work than hearing from other customers like yourself. All of our rod builders have reviews on their profile pages. Be sure to read through the reviews before choosing a builder.
Building your fishing rod is a good alternative to buying a store-bought rod. And for those who have experience building rods, it probably is! But custom rod building isn’t something anyone can jump into and get right the first time. It takes years of practice and skill to master the art and craftsmanship needed to design and create a fishing rod that will last you years and hold up in all conditions.
Josh Peters, the owner of Perfect Choice Custom Rods, has been building and selling precision custom rods for over 5 years. As a tournament angler, Josh was unsatisfied with the rods offered by big manufacturers, so he took matters into his own hands. “It took me years to truly refine my craft,” Josh says. “I’ve grown my customer base by providing expertly crafted rods with intricate thread wraps alongside acrylic and cork grips.” Josh's skill at blending and shaping acrylic brings a completely new dimension to custom rod building.
You might think that finding a rod builder in your region makes for a better rod, but that’s not the case with our rod builders who have experience building for all types of water. If you find a builder you like but they don’t live near you, that’s okay! We facilitate communication and ensure you and your builder are on the same page during the entirety of your project, from when you first contact them to the moment you receive your new custom rod.
That’s one of the many benefits of ordering a custom rod with RodSeek. You can find the perfect rod, no matter where you live.
Featured Builder: Charlie Charlie Customs
Brothers Charlie and Daniel are third-generation rod builders with decades of experience and cutting-edge knowledge of the newest rod components. “Charlie Charlie Customs” focuses on building casting, spinning, and ice rods. They are located in Minnesota and are skilled at configuring both open-water and cold-water rods. The process begins with a casual conversation about your project so they can better understand how to match their rod materials to your type of fishing.
