custom rods
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Fat Albert is the only person I would go to. He delivers what he says, when he says.
beetlespin
Well-known member
Be careful. Custom doesn't mean better. You need to get the right blank and components to get good sensitivity. Get a GLX jig and worm blank and let someone customize it for you if you have to have a custom. The Rainshadow blanks most use are not sensitive when compared to Loomis. I will sell you some Kistlers but they won't be cheap. They are light and sensitive but a little brittle.
G LOOMIS is the best blank out their castaway use to use GLX blanks now they are junk but I still have several of the old castaway rods and I had joe refinish them for me and he did a great job I own probably 6 of joes rods that he made and he uses G LOOmis blanks and I only have broke 1 and he replaced it in a day for me
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Very good point.
That may not be the best or even a good choice, it depends more on the intended use. The user may want a crappie or catfish rod or...
You need to compare apples to apples. A low-level Rainshadow/Batson is never going to compare favorable to a high level Gloomis/Shimano but when one compares high level to high level then that gap narrows or even disappears (depends on which particular models you are comparing). One can't make blanket statements across the entire spectrum of choices in one model series.
and rumored to be made of Rainshadow/Batson blanks. Personally I can get a custom builder to build even lighter on similar blank but with a power or two heavier, for less than what Kistlers charges.
Davo
Well-known member
Fat Albert is making me a rod and it is sweet. For a 7 footer to weigh under 4ozs. is crazy, but I like it. He also does some things other custom builders around here don't do, extra wraps on the guides for instance.
ArmySarge
Well-known member
fat albert ......quality and service are unmatched, of course I have not used anyone else. None the less, If you are "around" here in the chattanooga area. in my opinion he is the best.
CherokeeRidge
Well-known member
Did anyone ever try the 2 for 39.95 Rods that came up on a previous thread? I got a flier and order form from them, they looked pretty good.emoScratch , I Can't remember the brand name
arcadia is the brand you are looking for. They have some really good reviews on some other forums. I don't think they are going to be on the same level as a gloomis but you won't have to take out a second mortgage either
Dropshot
Well-known member
My wife bought me a dropshot rod from Joe Rogers for an anniversary gift five years ago and it is very nice. On the other hand, FA repaired/refinished some rods of mine and he does a great job. Plus he is a good guy...emoSmile
adamwstewart
Well-known member
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- Mar 7, 2006
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My own preference in custom rods is a combination of St. Croix blanks and fuji components. I've used batson components with no complaints, but I think Fujis have better fit and finish with comparable pricing. No rod feels like a St. Croix to me. But it doesn't mean Batson's aren't serviceable. And they do have some blanks that will probably rival Loomis' best.
I can personally testify that custom rods can be built MUCH lighter than production rods. One of the reasons I'm gradually downscaling all my production rods...
AWS
I can personally testify that custom rods can be built MUCH lighter than production rods. One of the reasons I'm gradually downscaling all my production rods...
AWS
FishingBen
Well-known member
John Miles rods in Cleveland, TN are hands down the nicest rods I have ever seen or fished. and he personally is the kind of guy I would want to spend my time and money with. He will build exactly what you want or even better yet exactly what you need. Tell him what your doing and what your expectations are of the rod and he will custom fit you like a tailor. Also his turn around time is about a week or two and he will spend as much time with you on your decision as you'd like to take. I did not have the same experience with Joe Burns. And to disspell what that other dude said, no you cannot get a factory rod that fishes as good as a Miles Custom. There's just NO WAY!!!
beetlespin
Well-known member
Custom rods use the same blanks, same guides, same reel seats and everything else. The only thing different is the custom color wraps. I have had eight custom rods and liked them but not as good as my Loomis GLX jig and worm. Even my Kistlers are far more sensitive than the customs I have seen and used. They just break too much. Now, can the custom builders build a GLX jig and worm rod? Of course they can. But they have to get the blank from Loomis, probably get the guides from Fuli, probably get the reel seet from fuji but they can customize the look of the rod or change the handle or something like that. Its a nice touch and I like dealing with someone local who does it but I don't think the rods are better.
I have mostly older Castaways and Allstars from back when they originally started. I am not set on custum, but just really want the lightweight and sensitivity that Ive been use to. What about Falcon rods and some of those other companies? And are the castaways really junk now?
flip1up
Well-known member
</p>
If they are junk, well, I like all 9 of my junky Castaways. I would hate to pay 3-4 hundred bucks for a dadgum rod and then use it once a week. But hey, thats just me.</p>
