How Clean is Clean Enough? Over-Obsessing on Finish Perfection
If you spend enough time around custom rod builders, eventually you’ll hear someone point out a tiny speck of dust trapped in finish that nobody else would ever notice. Maybe it’s a micro bubble ne...
Setting Up a Spiral Wrap Guide Train
In the world of custom rod building, few techniques generate as much curiosity and debate as the spiral wrap guide train, often referred to as the “acid wrap.” At first glance, it looks unconventio...
Fishing rod guides are often treated as a small detail, but in reality, they play a major role in how a rod performs. Every cast you make and every fish you fight is influenced by how well your gui...
Micro Guides vs. Standard Guides: Performance Gain or Trendy Myth?
Spend any time around rod builders or serious anglers and you will hear strong opinions about micro guides. Some swear by them, claiming increased casting distance, better sensitivity, and improved...
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
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?
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
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...
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 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...