Rod swap
 

Swaping plugs is one of many cool insentives to get into plug building. You can't put a price on a custom plug the same can be said about custom rods. All my rods are built my me, I take pride in building them,, I was thinking it would be cool having some rods built by some other builders on S-B. Two builders could agree on the same blank and components then build for each other even 3, 4, 5, could get in on that. This doesn't have to cost alot either. There are proably other good ways to have a rod swap to....

Your Thoughts Please :)

Intriguing idea.

One way you could do it, is assign each person a number, and all but one number goes into the hat. The guy who still has his number picks first, then puts his number into the hat. The guy with the number that got picked picks next, and the person whose number just got picked then picks and continue till the end. This way no one picks their own number, and if you do this before the rods are built, you can get measurements for reel seats etc...

rod swap sounds interesting, i build all my own rods too and would be cool to do a rod swap.

I like the spirit of it but question if its practicle with rods do to the dollar values involved.

I know I would not swap a rod I wouldn't want to own myself so quality components are needed and cost money.


A fly , jig or plug swap might cost you $30 total and you get a big variety back , some of which you will probably really like and some you might not like. At least you know you'll get some nice ones out of the batch. If Your gonna swap for one rod you could be disappointed depending on the builder , the layout , the type of rod , etc.. Even a "cheap" rod will run about $100 for quality parts.

I don't want to come across as being against the idea. Its an interesting idea . How can it be done without such a high risk of someone being disappointed in what they get back after dropping real $$$ on the one they are giving away.?

Goose, I'd be in.

Saltheart, just a thought, but doing a plug swap really isn't any cheaper when you figure in wood, sealer, paint, lips, wire, grommets, epoxy, etc... Building a rod might actually be cheaper.

Mike, I hear what your sayin about money being an issue. This is what I had in mind. The last couple years I've built on Amtak blanks, these where 7'graphite I use for flukein. For guys who haven't fished amtak's they are light and very durable, I can't break that SOB. I wrapped 4, guys luv them. The blank is about $35 if I'm not mistaken and compontes run approx. $30. There are proably other blanks out there which are in that figure also. Obviously everyones skill level is different, I think in order to keep everyone happy and get more people to swap would be to pair up builders whos work compare.

I'll swap with Drumcorpfan.....He can build me a tricked out "MV DerbyWinning Marbelized Special" on the components I supply him, and I'll wrap him a rod with components he supplies me. There has to be some good MOJO in one of Leos rods!

I'll be doing one of those NERBS gatherings late March/early April. A "Rod Swap" for those interested , would be cool and probablly generate some great discussion on assembly and guide set ups....food for thought.

Hi Mike, looks like i have someone to swap with. i have some scales from the fish i got on mv was going to add some to the epoxy for some extra mojo dam things are like finger nails, will have to talk this up i think we can make this work. most of us build rods over the winter anyway so really what we need to do is decide who to swap with and what rods to build, set a cap on what to spend and have at it
we have all manner of styles as builders and can get some insite as to what each builder goes through building a custom rod. plus we have an excuse to get to meet up and :buds: :buds: :hihi:

Looks like only 4 are interested...do we still want to do a small swap? I hope rod building isn't as trendy as some have said. I'ld hate to rewraping my own rods.:rolleyes:

I am not a great builder!!
But have just built a:
7' ST Croix F70M-BK,
lure wt 3/4- 3,
line weight 10-20

I use 2 of them for Fluking and love them!! I have one I made a buddy as a xmas gift 2 years ago and he loves it for schoolie action!!

What ever happened with this idea?