News
Key Takeaways and Techniques from The Advanced Techniques Seminar
There is something special about being in a room filled with people who all share the same passion. That is exactly what made the 2026 Mud Hole Advanced Techniques Seminar such a success. Over two ...
Does Price Always Equal Performance?
In custom rod building, one of the most common assumptions is that a higher price automatically means better performance. It is an easy trap to fall into, especially when premium materials and cutt...
Mud Hole's 50 Year Anniversary
It’s hard to believe, but 2026 marks 50 years of Mud Hole Custom Tackle sharing the very best of custom rod building with anglers around the world. What began in 1976 as a small New Jersey tackle s...
Products
Aluminum Butts and Why We Use Them
When you start building offshore and nearshore rods, there is a good chance you will eventually find yourself looking at an aluminum butt. For some builders, it is simply the traditional choice for...
Three Custom Rods. Three Baits. More Fish.
Think you could take just three rods and three baits to almost any bass lake and still catch fish? It might sound like a challenge, but I think there is something to it. We spend a lot of time chas...
Vertical Jigging: Triggering Reaction Strikes from Red Snapper and Gag Grouper
If you’re looking for more rod recommendations, reel pairings, line setups, and technique-specific advice, head back to the complete Main Gear Guide Page for the full breakdowns on your favorite te...
Rod Recipes
When you start targeting bigger inshore fish, the rod you choose becomes a much bigger part of the equation. Big snook, permit, bull redfish, stripers and other hard-running species can put tremend...
Bass are known for their strength, speed, and aggressive strikes, and the pre-spawn and springtime period brings some of the best opportunities of the entire year. As water temperatures rise, both ...
Smallmouth bass are known for their strength, speed, and aerial displays, but their behavior can shift throughout the year, forcing anglers to stay versatile and prepared for changing conditions. U...
Tips & Tricks
Are We Building Rods Too Light
There is a point in rod building where “lighter” stops being a meaningful improvement and starts becoming the goal itself. We have spent years pushing rod weight lower, developing lighter blanks, l...
Should Beginners Start with Premium Components?
If you've spent any time talking to experienced rod builders, you've probably heard some version of this advice: Don't start with expensive components. The reasoning is understandable. Your first c...
Freshwater vs Saltwater Blanks, Is There A Difference?
If you have ever shopped for a rod blank, you have probably noticed that manufacturers often separate their blanks into freshwater and saltwater categories. That naturally raises a question for cus...