I've decided to take the plunge and officially get into the Custom Rod business. I will be an official sponsor here at striped-bass.com. Still have to iron out many details but I wanted to let people know I'm in.

My hope is to offer rods with several build levels. Level one would be the lowest price I can offer for simple builds. Level 2 A price premium for fancier builds and level 3 some higher price premium for intricate thread art that is very time consuming , etc. I plan on using only fuji guides and seats. Obviously a build using SiC guides has to be more money than a build using Hardloy , etc.

I'm not going to sacrifice functionality at the different build levels. All rods will be built as if I were going to fish with it myself. I do have to charge more for the fancy thread work as it it just so time consuming.

New Sponsor Special
To get things rolling , for a limited time , I will be offering the AllStar 1265/2 with a basic build using Fuji hardloy guides , Fuji reel seat , cork tape handle with an SiC top , for $220. Pricing for minimum builds on the AllStar 1209-$220 , 1208-$215 , 1266/2-$220. These prices are for spinners or conventionals.

I can also give you a quote for other rods built to whatever level of fancyness you want.I will be offering Lamiglas rods custom built. Send an email for quotes to me. For now , use the Saltheart@striped-bass.com address.

I want to eventually do just fancy rods. The idea of building something both functional and beautiful excites me. Hoever , I have to build up a clientelle willing to pay more for something special. In the mean time , I'm offering some bargains on high performance basic build rods.

Saltheart - Welcome aboard & Good Luck!! And I'm very happy to have you supporting the site, err, you've always supported this site :smash: - wink-wink nudge-nudge

That rod that Slip won is certainy a nice piece of work...

Congrats, I'm sure I won't be far behind you, especially after sitting with John for 2 days at the upcoming show :). Based on the rod I saw at the reel maintenance party, I'd say you should do very well, it look well built. I know a few things about building and the thread work, just getting to old and blind to take it seriously anymore :(.

Originally posted by John R
Saltheart - Welcome aboard & Good Luck!! And I'm very happy to have you supporting the site, err, you've always supported this site :smash: - wink-wink nudge-nudge

That rod that Slip won is certainy a nice piece of work...

Yes, it certainly is :D
and I will gladly show it to anyone who cares to look at it and proudly tell them that Saltheart made it. :)

Congratulations on your leap!
Good luck to you Saltheart.

good luck Mike,//////////////////////////////;) ;) ;)

Good luck Saltheart, I am sure you will do well.

Saltheart, will you be at the MSBA show? I'm planning on going to find a custom boat rod for my Ambassaduer 7000.If you are I'll hit you up first.Let me know.

Mike,
Excellent, I am extremely happy that you have the opportunity to persue a pastime you truly enjoy.

good deal Mike ! Im glad to hear you want to do this . You do build a nice rod . Are you going to set up at the mass bass show with a few examples buisness cards ? I better go and rob a bank for this show . I dont get a pay check till the end of the month . Did I ever mention How much I hate getting paid once a month ? Well I HATE it !

Good luck Saltheart!

I haven't seen any of your work, but if John and Bruce say its sweet, then it must be a nice rod. Maybe you should bring a couple to the show to show off.

Question: Do you make telescopic schoolie rods? ;) You never know when you might be casting underneath a low bridge and need to reduce your rod from 7'6" to a compact 6'... it also helps when fishing around alot of other people. You can pretend you are fishing for smaller game and when they leave, bam, back to normal size.

Hey, speaking of Slipknot's winning fish... what happened to the second place booty of some super duper assorted plugs? Did I miss the awards ceremony?

I'm considering legal action... my attorney will be in touch.

Yah, ok...

Saltheart, seriously, I hope it works out great for you. It should be fun for you to do something fishing related that will bring in some $$.

What do we got now? Saltheart rods, Got Stripers plastic, Bill'n'Juls flies and teasers, Habs plugs (and other less appropriate "toys") ... we used to have a young man who built boats... slap, did he just say that... hey, its friday FRIDAY and I'm ready to get outta this 2-bit popsicle stand...

Thanks everybody. I hope I get to make some nice rods for all of you. :)

I won't be displaying at the MSBA show. I will be there one of the days , probably Sat. Usually we stay a long time. Hope to see you around the Striped-Bass table.

BTW , it looks like the Saltheart email isn't working right now so you can use mwhite4@cox.net .

Saltheart : Please, please tell me that this new venture will not conflict with the time you're devoting to the old venture - SKIN JIGS !! We gots to have those skin jigs.

I'll see ya at the show - thinking about a custom.

Don't worry Jim , Smokey and I spent all night tonight talking skin jigs. We'll be making some soon.

See you at the show. We're going Sat early to make sure we see Stetzko. We'll probably hang around almost all day.

Hey Slip, do you have a picture of the rod you won?I'd like to check out Saltheart's work.

here are some photos but they are not very good pictures.

http://www.striped-bass.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2644

You really have to see it to appreciate it.

Congrads saltheart!!I think its a good place for you to start!!! (my guess would be most of us will be a customer eventually;) ;) ;) )

you should make yourself some business cards for the show...even if your not setting up.....I'm will ing to bet people will be asking!!!

good luck!:D

Thanks Slip.

I have to agree with slipknot ! It really needs to be seen to be appreciated . I appreciate it and all I did was hold it and admire it ! Mike does some nice work on his rods . You can tell he put alot of time and thought in to each one . Look at me Mr Salesman . Ive got the gun somewhere around here . KILL the SALESMAN ! FIRE !!!!! plop