For those that fish a lot this will make perfect sense. For those who are just getting into the sport, pay attention. Every once in a while you run across a rod in those racks of rods you'll find in tackle shops. It may be the odd one in a line of identical rods, or it looks a little different from all the others. Something about it sets it apart from all the others in the racks. You pick it up, check the flex, the weight, the balance. Immediately you know the reel you want, or you may already have, that will go with this extension of your arm that you are holding in your hand. The perfect rod.
Well, I have found a way to make that happen. I went and talked to the guy who fixes my reels and repairs the rods that bust up in my charter business. We talked of that rod that you find on that rare occasion. I asked him if he ever builds rod to which he replied, "every so often." Well, could you building me two," I said, "that could be both a good tubing rod yet I could troll other lure systems. That both adults and young children can handle easily." After some more detailed discussions about which blank I wanted, soft tip with a little meat to the but, extended for grip, long slick-butt, and good porcelain guides for a boat rod, etc. Tom was off to build me "the rod". In this case two of them.
It's a few weeks later now. Tom hands me two light weight, black slivers of composite material with eyelets, reel seats and a gimble at one end. I put a pair of Shimona "800" series level wind conventional reels on them and off to Cape Cod Bay I went. After landing a nice 36 inch striper and a good 10 pound bluefish I knew Tom had both the rod building ability but more importantly the philosophical understanding of what a specifically designed rod should act like. However, when I hooked up on what turned out to be a nice 30 pound bass, I knew. The rod had been forged like a mythical sword. Like having a good putter built for you, now you need a new driver. That's going to be Tom's new mission.
If you know a good rod builder, one with a bit of imagination, bring him a cup of coffee, sit down and talk about what you want built. Be specific. Build that perfect rod, it's worth it. Or, you can come to the Goose Hummock in Orleans on Cape Cod. Ask for Mike, Gerret, Fran, or whoever is there. Meet Tom whos out back. Together with these guys you will truly have that custom built rod.
The Goose Hummock - 508-255-0455
www.goose.com