I have recieved a bunch of emails asking about the Zziplex Bass Rods and Sea Raider II 10 Ditch stick. At the moment Mike at M&d's has one of the Bass Rods. for those that would like to see it make sure to ask when at the shop He will be getting the 10 sea raiders as well. These rods will be available through 2 great builders, Both Saltheat and Mike Best Regards Big Dave

:happy: :happy: :happy:

Yummmmmmmm

:bgi:

:kewl:

There's only two models I'v eseen. One 10 footer which i think is the best canal candidte i ever held. I'm switching to it from my Arra 1205 a soon as I can get one made. the other is an 11 foot 'beach" rod. It looks like it will cast a mile and weighs almost nothing. i was very impressed with these blanks at the MSBA show.

Is it true that these blanks are priced higher than an "Arra"??

If this is the case are we looking at a $400 custom?


Just tossing this out there!

should only be 60 percent of that price [400.00] finished. for 400.00 it better come with a reel on it.

Totally agree with ya Steve!

But in this day and age there arent many builders who will build a nice 1205 for Less than $300.(MikeCC is one). Plus if you go by the thought processes of some of the builders I met at the Rodcrafter's seminar! Total material cost x 3= finished rod price!!
Your looking at some astronomical prices even if you do get all your components wholesale.

Not trying to highjack this thread!!!

Whats the going rate of these blanks anyway? Have heard rumors that due to the lousy exchange rate of the US dollar they will cost more than they should?

should only be 60 percent of that price [400.00] finished. for 400.00 it better come with a reel on it.

sorry sams at your 60% it would be way over $400. anybody selling at 400 is not making much. blanks are $300. alone than you got to figure SiC or alconite Guides ant Thread work $400 is a steal:eek:

well! sence I'm not trying to make a livin off rods I won't post on the price of the blank. let's just say I can get them alot lower then that.just so we're talkin about the same blank////sea raider II

sorry not the Sea raider . The Sea Raider only lists for 155. it's the 11' forget the model name but Dave can jump in.


If you can get it lower and sell it and warranty it great for you but I think you will loose huge. not possible for you to supply and build for under 400. If so I'll take 2 myself:D

Between the exchange rate being high 1.85 US to the UK pound, import tax based on converted value and UK shipping priced in UK pounds again converted to 1.85 US Zziplex and other UK products get a little pricy. But still when compared to Lami and all star the are a great value for the money regardless. Importing rods is more a labor of love than one that brings financial rewards thats for sure. In comparison to fishing rods. the avg tournament rod is between 550 to 600 beans depending on the stick. Zziplex rods may not be in everyones budget. But they truly are an oustanding valuve when you consider performance and quaility. Regards Big Dave

Sea Raider rods, do they come in silver & black ?;)

Quality costs. Between gas , food , jigs , etc , i spend about $25 to go fishing (throw in the fact that I'm wearing out a $26K SUV too). It also uses up my most valuable commodity , spare time. Compared to those weekly costs , the cost of a rod , even the best , is nothing.

Anyway , like Mike T said , anyone who can supply me (delivered into my hand) with a Custom Made Zipplex Sea Raider II with fuji components for 60% of $400 , I want to get many many from you. How about even just one???

Mr. Hi-Ho Sylver must work for beens. :hihi:

this could lead to world war three. You know as well as I do that custom's don't need to cost all out doors. If rod builders would stop putting these up on a white horse an flim flaming everyone, more people could enjoy them. But hey! If it doesn't cost alot it can't be any good,,,right?.....I have to laugh because my poor old beat up[100.00] rod catches just as many fish[if not more] than any 3-4-500.00 one does. IT's the person using it.......I got bridge you can buy:laughs:

I guy I talk to in New Jersey says a custom 1205 down there is 475-675 bucks depending on guides and wrap :eek:

-spence

I can drive a Yugo to work each day or I can drive a Mercedes. Its all up to personal preference or budget, but in the end your getting to the same place.

Long Island prices are high compared to New England, too.

Got a local builder here who charges 350 clams for a finished 10' GSB Lami custom.

I buy the blank elsewhere, bring it to him, he wraps it and it's $100 for the wrap job :confused:

They're making a killing on the blank when they charge 350 beans.

"If rod builders would stop putting these up on a white horse an flim flaming everyone, more people could enjoy them."

I'm surprised to hear that you have been flim flaming people Capesam! :)

So you are saying that everyone who buys a custom rod is stupid and just buying prestige? I'm surprised you think so poorly of your fellow fisherman! Is it possible that some people know what they are doing and buy custom rods because based on their experience they think they perform better and are willing to pay for that performance?

The funniest part is that everyone I know who builds eventually comes to the conclusion that you better enjoy the craft cause there's no real money in it as a stand alone business. So who's getting rich on all this overpriced , flim flam equipment???

Well I said I didnt want to hijack this thread but its obviously gone in another direction!
So I am going to chime in with my opinion.
I attended the Rodcrafter's seminar in March in Allentown,PA. While there I was told a story of a rod builder saying that any builder that doesnt charge 3 X's the retail cost of materials is a so called..........."Rod Whore".......??

Well that puts even a affordable blank like alot of guys favorite....
the Batson 1088 at $what????? $250-$275??

This rod can be built with decent fuji components for under $200 by a bunch of builders whose work is just as good as any.(MikeCC, CS, etc.........)

If you have to pay that much for a rod in NY its worth the ride to MA or RI to get one built!!
Now on the other hand if the artwork on the rod is something along the line of a 4 or 8 axis chevron or diamond or some complex weave then yes you deserve to get paid for your work.
But thats not what most surf rods are!

Sell 10 rods at a $75-$100 profit sure beats selling a few at $200 profit in my opinion. Why you ask? The more of your work out there the more potential clients will see it!!

Just my $.02


Russ

I'm a rod whore then and proud of it! I couldn't sell any rods at 3X the retail cost of the parts. That guy is dreaming.

SH,

I think you know who the builder was that said that?

Gotta agree with ya that thats a pretty high priced rod at 3x's retail!!

3X is in the past.
your lucky if you can get 2x more like 1.5

Originally posted by Saltheart
There's only two models I'v eseen. One 10 footer which i think is the best canal candidte i ever held. I'm switching to it from my Arra 1205 a soon as I can get one made. the other is an 11 foot 'beach" rod. It looks like it will cast a mile and weighs almost nothing. i was very impressed with these blanks at the MSBA show.


A rod builder friend from England, that I fish with in Montauk, brought over the 11 foot rod rated for 1-3oz. It is the primary rod he uses there and told me recently,

"I wish more Anglers would buy this rod it is a revelation for Striper fishing around Montauk, as you can do almost all the types of fishing with one rod.Live eels, plugs, metals, bucktails, and bait. "

I got one from him, last fall, and it is a sweet rod. Certainly better than anything else I have.

Anyone interested in getting one from him, I can pm his info to.

you pay for what i know (the rod builder) and what i can do (craftmanship). i would never try and build over 100 rods a year because the craftmanship would go downhill and my time would be zero. now, this is not if it was my only job.

i can catch more fish on my 70s vintage lami blank i rewrapped and cost pennies than some guy with a $500 rod too. but, i choose to fish custom rods. even if i wasn't a rod builder, i could not buy a properly wrapped/build production rod for many of my circumstances. but, i am not the customer that these companies try and attract - they want the "typical fisherman".

if one chooses not to buy a $500+ rod, don't. that's why there are many builders. just like there are many lures, reels, etc. you have choices. to each there own.

All this and I still dont know what the cost of the bass rod blank is or what the specs are.

sounds like a nice american built piece "NOT" !!! WTF:sleeps: :sleeps:

zziplex

Sea Raider II has an overall length of 10' with a 7' tip length and a 3'4" butt length... the tip diameter is 9/64" and the butt diameter is 13/16"..... the blank is rated for lure weights of 6oz


Powertex Bass has an overall length of 12'8" with a 8' tip length and a 5' butt length... the tip diameter is 9/64" and the butt diameter is 7/8"... the blank is rated for lure weights of 1 - 4-1/2oz......

Thank you Leptar any Idea on the pricing.

It all boils down to a "labor of love"....

Why does a custom car builder hotrod his car/truck?

Why does a custom computer builder use all high quality components to pimp out his computer?

Why....

It's all about love.

I'd never be able to afford a Mercedes to drive to work, so a GMC will do. However, if I got the money to blow, and feel like pimpin' out a rod, sure, i'll fork over a grand.

But alas, nope, I'll stick to the GMC/Chevys of the fishin' world as far as analogies go for a rod and reel. :)

-Dan