Local Rod Builders

[Dropshot]

I am looking to keep my hard earned money local and buy a couple of new rods. I see a lot of good deals on the China made rods, but am going to look local and then USA made. I have several USA made rods, including an old Skyline Graphite my mother bought for my dad in 1978 for Christmas. I have a mix of castaway, falcon, all-star, etc. I also have one technique specifice dropshot rod my wife purchased from Joe Rogers to give me as an anniversary gift a few years back.

Anyone got any advice about local rod makers?

 

[tso]

Fat Albert (on the forum) is a rod builder. I saw some of his work last night and he does a great job. The wraps were beautiful. He has about 30 years experience and the rods I saw last night proved it.

I also know someone else if you want to PM me.

 

[SpurHunter]

I had Fat Albert make my daughter a rod, and it is awesome! Had him fix a bunch, and "reclaim" a rod caught from below Nickajack that you would not believe from start to finish.

 

[Guest]

In addition to previous mentioned FA, Joe Burns and John Miles both in Cleveland build rods.

 

[beetlespin]

Patrick, for the type of fishing you do either the snoopy rod or the rocket rods at Wal-mart would be acceptable.

emoUpsmile

 

[Davo]

Fat Albert built me a rod this past summer and you will have a hard time finding a better rod.

http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11771&start=1

The pictures don't do the rod any justice, it's awesome.

 

[foodsaver]

I had him reclaim a rod for me and it is a phenomenal rod. Just great looking and a joy to use.

 

[Dropshot]

FA fixed and cleaned up some for me last winter as well and did a phenomenal job. I mean joe burns, not joe rogers when I said my wife had bought me a rod.

 

[m17glock]

i will throw another shout out for FA's rods i had him build me a custom dock shoot'en crappie rod to match the colors on my bullet and i love it emoThumbsup i also have quite a few john miles rods that i love dearly .
if you want a joe burns rod Smokey Mountain Tackle here in cleveland has a good number of those in stock right now

 

[Jmax]

My good buddy FA is the man. I have one of his as well.emoThumbsup He does like to make those dang spinning rods though. It took me forever to get him to build me a casting rod.emoRolleyes But once he did it is a beutiful rod and has some great feel.

I am also going to throw out John The Fisherman (JTF) here on the forum as well. He has built a couple for tournaments and they were extremely good as well. We have some great talent on the forum.emoWorthy Jmax