Product Details
Our 2-Day beginners rod building class is taught by top professional rod builders with extensive knowledge of all the techniques and components that build today's top-performing fishing rods. Hosted in Mud Hole’s state-of-the-art Education Center, this class will teach you how to assemble your own spinning or casting rod from the handle to the tip.
You will build a 7'0" medium-light power rod, in your choice of spinning or casting. Plus, enjoy your first rod build with personalized instruction from the industry’s best!
Click here to view a list of upcoming dates + locations
Items Included in Beginner Rod Building Class
Over $180 In Products: You will receive over $180 in products including a CRB hand wrapper, rod dryer, rod blank, reel seat, handle, guides, tip top, thread, decals, epoxy glue, thread finish... and more!
You will build your own spinning or casting rod and take it home!
Rod Kit: The class includes the CRB IS701ML Color Series blank, which brings an ideal 7'0" rod blank with a medium-light power and a mod/fast action to build an excellent rod for fishing a variety of freshwater locations and species.
Featured Components:
- IS701ML in Gloss Black | 6-12 lb. | 1/4 - 1/2 oz. lure
- Genuine cork handle
- CRB SSR guide set + tip-top
- Personalized custom decal with your name (or other text)
Meet Our Instructors
Todd Vivian
Todd Vivian has been building custom rods for 35 years.
After spending 20 years as lead rod designer for Lamiglas in Washington state, Todd relocated to Florida to develop complete lines of blanks for Mud Hole.
16 years and 600+ blanks later, Todd is still just as passionate about fishing, sharing his knowledge as lead instructor for Mud Hole's education program.
Buzz Butters
Buzz Butters has been building custom rods for 35 years.
He began teaching high school students about 20 years ago and joined Mud Hole as part of the Teaching Staff about 8 years ago.
His company, B&B Custom Rods is a well-known purveyor of Walleye and Ice fishing rods in the Wisconsin-area.
Cindy McKay
As a school teacher, Cindy McKay first came to Mud Hole with the intention of sharing rod building with her students.
She quickly realized that parents were just as eager to learn, and joined Mud Hole as an instructor in our nationwide on-the-road series of classes.
Cindy has been with Mud Hole Custom Tackle as a regular instructor since 2017.
Curt Baker
Curt Baker has been building and fishing custom rods in the Tampa, FL area for over 35 years.
With grouper, snapper and black tip shark as his favorite species to target, he has built countless rods for them over the years.
Curt has been sharing his knowledge through Mud Hole's education program for over 10 years.
Mike Kosiba
Mike Kosiba has been a rod building instructor with Mud Hole for about 5 years, though he began his rod building career in the late 90’s – bringing decades of rod building experience to Mud Hole.
Mike grew up in Florida but has been able to sharpen his skills fishing in places around the country, for virtually every species of fish… although he still prefers the trout and redfish in the Indian River.
Jesus Peña
Jesus Peña was a student in our very first rod building workshop over 10 years ago!
He flew to Chicago from South Texas to take this class in 2009. Soon after, he began helping instruct Mud Hole classes in Corpus Christi, Houston and Dallas.
Jesus has been with Mud Hole Custom Tackle as a full time instructor for over 5 years.
Class Cancellation Policy
Class Times & Locations
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
2133 Component Loop, Suite 1001, Oviedo FL 32765
Saturday – 9A-6P
Sunday – 9A-12P
Embassy Suites by Hilton Bloomington/Minneapolis
2800 American Blvd W, Bloomington, MN 55431
Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, February 25, 2024 – 9A-12P
Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport
3333 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Saturday, March 9, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, March 10, 2024 – 9A-12P
Crowne Plaza Houston Med Ctr-Galleria Area
2712 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77098
Saturday, April 6, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, April 7, 2024 – 9A-12P
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tracy
3751 N Tracy Blvd, Tracy, CA 95304
Saturday, April 20, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, April 21, 2024 – 9A-12P
Crowne Plaza Edison
2055 Lincoln Hwy, Edison, NJ 08817
Saturday, May 4, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, May 5, 2024 – 9A-12P
Holiday Inn Portland – Columbia Riverfront
909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, May 19, 2024 – 9A-12P
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tulsa South Bixby
8405 E 102nd St S, Tulsa, OK 74133
Saturday, July 27, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, July 28, 2024 – 9A-12P
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orange Beach
3111 Loop Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Saturday, August 17, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, August 18, 2024 – 9A-12P
DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth South Hotel & Conference Center
100 Altamesa Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76134
Saturday, September 7, 2024 – 9A-6P
Sunday, September 8, 2024 – 9A-12P
132 Reviews
I am so glad I took this class. Every part of it was a great learning experience. All the instructors were very helpful, patient and loaded with knowledge. In a class of 25+ people It truly felt like a one on one experience. My every question was answered and I came away with a boatload of tips and tricks. On top of all that, we also walked away with a nice Rod, “that I built” and everything we need for our next Rod build, including the confidence to pull it off. After a few customizations when I got home the rod made a great gift.
I’ve been wanting to get into the rod building hobby. This class laid down a great foundation for me to start. The instructors made the class fun and were very informative. The class is small enough where you do get some one on one instruction from the instructors.
Had a great time learning from everyone over the 4/20 weekend and learned so much I hope there’s a surf rod class coming to my area something in the 10’ 3/4-4 ish range is popular in area for recommendations;) but the basic class is fun and informative and gives you the confidence to take on the craft and inspires to really get creative! Even with the basic knowledge gained I know my rods will perform 100% better than a factory rod! The instructors were friendly, happy to help and give any tips and we’re super knowledgeable about any questions I had. I’m glad I found this class to bring a dream of rod building to reality
This class is a must if you are interested in rod building. Really easy to follow, very informative and amazing instructors. I want to take this class again. You leave with a rod built by you and almost every to build your next rod. I will be back just because I enjoyed it so much.
I just finished the beginner rod building class at Mud Hole's facility in Oviedo, Florida. Everything about the 2 day course was top notch! Our instructors, Todd, Curt, Mike, Buzz and Derwood, were happy to be there teaching us the craft of building custom fishing rods. They are genuinely passionate about what they do. Thank you guys!
I was able to build a custom rod in a day - one that's better than any production rod I could purchase. I also left the class with the basic tools and supplies needed to continue building my next rod at home - this is a great value. If you have ever thought of building your own fishing rod, this class is TOTALLY worth your time and money. I am already looking forward to taking a more advanced class in the future. Thank you Mud Hole!