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How Hard is it to Build a Fishing
Rod?
By Ian Hugh Scott
Step by step instructions for building a rod wrapping
jig can be found here.
If you are like me, you may be thinking that building
your own custom built fishing rod would be a difficult
endeavour. When I first discovered that it was possible
to custom build a fishing rod, I put off the decision to
do it. I thought I probably didn't have enough skill.
Probably special tools were needed. I thought it might
be a complicated task that would take up too much space
in my home.
When I finally decided to get more information, I was
about 18 years old (30 years ago!) and was surprised to
discover just how easy building my own fishing rod could
be! Not only that, work space requirements are not much
at all. All you really need is space that is a bit wider
than the section lengths of the rod blank you choose to
build your rod on. For example, if you are building a 7
foot rod that comes in two pieces, all you'll need is a
bit more space than 3 1/2 feet wide.
Custom building fishing rods can get complicated
depending if you want to even make your own reel seats
and cork handles, but for most of us, purchasing the
components is what we'll do. Generally, for fly and
spinning rods, you'll need to purchase:
The fishing rod blank.
Cork handle (spinning rods require a "butt grip" and a "fore grip."
Reel seat.
Guides and tip top.
Nylon rod wrapping thread.
Epoxy.
Rod wrapping finish epoxy.
Winding check that is put on the rod at the tip end of
the fore grip.
Hook Keeper if desired on your rod.
Butt cap
The basic steps to building your own spin fishing rod
are:
1. Determine where the spine of the fishing rod blank is,
and mark it on the blank. This will be used to determine
on which axis of the blank the guides will be secured.
2. Enlarge the pre-drilled hole in the cork grip(s) to fit
the butt of the blank, if required.
3.
Fit the butt grip onto the blank after applying epoxy to
the blank where the butt grip will be.
4.
Fit the reel seat to the blank by building up the area
between the blank and inside of the reel seat, using
strips of masking tape and then apply epoxy to secure
the reel seat in place. Align the reel seat correctly
with the axis of the rod that the guides will be on.
5.
Fit the fore grip to the blank after applying epoxy.
6.
Set the rod aside to allow the epoxy to cure for 24
hours.
7.
Determine the spacing of the guides - a beginner may
want to refer to a general guide spacing chart and make
minor adjustments depending on the rod blank being used.
8.
Using a file, grind down the feet of the guides so they
taper thinly where the thread will be wrapped over.
9.
Attach the guides to the rod blank using a strip of
masking tape. The use of the masking tape is temporary.
10.
Using the thread, wrap and secure the guide feet,
removing the masking tape as the approaches the tape.
11.
Secure the tip top with hot melt glue.
12.
Make a decorative wrap above the fore grip if desired
and attach the hook keeper in the same way the guides
were attached.
13.
Apply rod wrapping finish to the threads.
14.
If you have a slow RPM (7 to 20 RPM) motor that you can
attach the rod to, that's perfect for ensuring there is
no sagging of the finish while it is curing. If not, you
can turn the rod by hand for the first half hour and
then 25 degree turns every 10 or fifteen minutes for a
few hours after.
15.
When the thread wrap finish has cured, attach the Butt
cap to the butt end of the rod.
Some of the above steps such as wrapping the guides with
thread may take a bit of practice, but is not difficult
to do. Once you've built your first rod, you'll want to
learn more about all the different components that are
available to you, finishes, and probably increase your
skills in making decorative thread wraps.
One thing for sure - you'll be very proud when you catch
your first fish on the rod you've built yourself!
Step by step instructions for building a rod wrapping
jig can be found here.
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