Rods & Gear for Flipping & Pitching

Rods & Gear for Flipping & Pitching

Flipping, pitching, and punching are close range power techniques built for targeting bass buried deep in cover. Whether fish are tucked into thick grass, holding tight to docks, or set up in shall...

Grip Battle:  Split vs. Full Length Grips

Grip Battle: Split vs. Full Length Grips

This one might surprise you. Is there really this much that goes into choosing your handle configuration?  The top options are, Split grip or full-length grip, which one truly gives you the edge on...

Is Metallic Thread OK for Guide Wraps?

Is Metallic Thread OK for Guide Wraps?

When it comes to custom rod building, few choices spark more debate than whether or not to use metallic thread for guide wraps. Metallic thread has long been a staple in decorative rod work, offeri...

Rigging for Heavy Cover Flipping

Rigging for Heavy Cover Flipping

Flipping and pitching are two of the most effective techniques for targeting bass that bury themselves in heavy cover. Thick vegetation, fallen timber, boat docks, reeds, and matted grass all creat...

Choosing the Right Guide Ring

Choosing the Right Guide Ring

When it comes to building or upgrading a fishing rod, guide rings are often overlooked. They might look like simple loops of metal and ceramic, but they’re among the most critical components affect...

The Truth About Rod Balance

The Truth About Rod Balance

The weight and balance debate is always fun and certainly makes anglers and rod builders choose sides quickly. My stance is, I build custom rods to fish. Every component and layout is purposely don...

Why Rod Building Thread Matters

Why Rod Building Thread Matters

Rod building thread has always been something that comes up with new rod builders, and right fully so. They might have a storage bin of colorful thread from a past or current family members sewing ...

Reel Seat Arbors Explained: Form vs. Function

Reel Seat Arbors Explained: Form vs. Function

A reel seat arbor is a crucial but sometimes overlooked component in custom rod building. Its primary role is to fill the space between the fishing rod blank and the inside of the reel seat, creati...

Why Ferrules Matter: Strength, Flexibility, and Performance

Why Ferrules Matter: Strength, Flexibility, and Performance

Rod ferrules are the connection points that join two or more sections of a fishing rod. They allow the rod to break down into shorter pieces for easier transport and storage, making multi-piece rod...

Can Guide Wraps Be Too Tight?

Can Guide Wraps Be Too Tight?

When building a custom fishing rod, one of the most critical yet often overlooked factors is maintaining proper thread tension while wrapping guides. It may seem like a minor detail, but the tensio...