A rod builder in illinois
shotgunlew
Posted 9/22/2008 11:48 PM (#337331)
Subject: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
A family friend of mine told me the best rod builder in Illinois was a man named tom cooney. I cant trakc the guy down, does anyone know if the guy is still building rods? Or has anyone had one of his rods?


chris
shotgunlew
Posted 9/23/2008 8:44 AM (#337349 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
31 views and no responses, can someone suggest another rod builder then?
Pete Stoltman
Posted 9/23/2008 8:48 AM (#337352 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 663


Franks Custom Rods by Frank Bottglieri (probably botched the spelling) or Dadson's from Scott & Sean Bermingham. Both builders do excellent work but have different styles. Both are in the Chicago area and avid musky guys. They'll set you up right. Don't have the contact info at my fingertips right now but if you need help pm me and I'll dig it up.

Edited by Pete Stoltman 9/23/2008 8:50 AM
Wetdog
Posted 9/23/2008 10:13 AM (#337374 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 1


shotgunlew
Hope this is who your looking for.
Tom Cooney
8356 W. Bruns Road
Monee, IL
[email protected]

Gene
esox50
Posted 9/23/2008 10:37 AM (#337386 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 2024


If you are looking for another rod builder in IL, Frank Bottiglieri produces some fantastic rods. He can be reached at [email protected]. I purchased my first custom from him and am extremely happy I went with him, though I'm sure you won't be disappointed with whomever you choose.
MuskieMike
Posted 9/23/2008 11:27 AM (#337392 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: RE: A rod builder in illinois





Location: Des Moines IA
Another vote for Frank. I personally don't have one of his rods yet, but it's the first rod I reach for in Slamr's boat
muskyfvr
Posted 9/23/2008 11:44 AM (#337394 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 223


Location: Minn.
http://www.proedgefishing.com Keith does a good Work. I will be using some of Franks this week on a guided trip.
Fish and Whistle
Posted 9/23/2008 12:57 PM (#337407 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 462


Location: Antioch, IL
Frank all the way. His rods are fully functional works of art. I have a hard time putting his rods down.
Slamr
Posted 9/23/2008 1:19 PM (#337408 - in reply to #337407)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 7038


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
I don't know about outside of Illinois, but I can say hands-down, based on skill, craftsmanship and an ability to translate your needs into the rod you're looking for, I'd recommend Frank Bottiliergi. Yes, I throw Okumas and other brands but for my go-to rod I am yet to find a rod that compares to the Diamondback that Frank built me a few years ago. As I tell people, it is "the greatest rod ever forged by the hands of man". But that's just my opinion...
shotgunlew
Posted 9/23/2008 8:26 PM (#337474 - in reply to #337374)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
Yep thats him, I foudn him through another site, sadly he doesnt make rods any more...

Wetdog - 9/23/2008 10:13 AM

shotgunlew
Hope this is who your looking for.
Tom Cooney
8356 W. Bruns Road
Monee, IL
[email protected]

Gene
shotgunlew
Posted 9/23/2008 8:31 PM (#337476 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
How much do frank bottiliergi's rods run?


chris
esox50
Posted 9/23/2008 8:41 PM (#337478 - in reply to #337476)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 2024


Depends primarily on the blank. He offers several different blanks from the "Wicked Series" (what Thornes call the C-Series, I believe) on up to the high end St. Croix blanks, Diamondbacks, Loomis, and Calstar. He can tailor anything you want - guides, cork length, reel seats, etc. Not to mention the "artwork" and innumerable choices of decorative wrappings!

Attached are a few pictures of my custom.

Edited by esox50 9/24/2008 9:48 AM



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shotgunlew
Posted 9/23/2008 10:38 PM (#337505 - in reply to #337478)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
What would something like that cost?


esox50 - 9/23/2008 8:41 PM

Depends primarily on the blank. He offers several different blanks from the Edge Series (what Thornes call the C-Series, I believe) on up to the high end St. Croix blanks, Diamondbacks, Loomis, and Calstar. He can tailor anything you want - guides, cork length, reel seats, etc. Not to mention the "artwork" and innumerable choices of decorative wrappings!

Attached are a few pictures of my custom.
Fish and Whistle
Posted 9/23/2008 11:47 PM (#337513 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: RE: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 462


Location: Antioch, IL
Here are a few pics of the rod Frank built for me. I can't say enough about the attention he gave this rod. I've had a lot of hand problems and multiple surgeries. Frank took this into account when he set this rod up. He probably talked with me close to an hour about every detail from my main intentions for the rod (baits, reel), my size, my style of holding the rod. Because of is knowledge of rod building and his attention to detail I left the look of the rod up to him. I picked Black & yellow (since I'm a die hard Steelers fan) and said go with it. I could not be any happier with the rod he built me. Love the EVH wrap & the Steelers logo was a nice surprise.


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shotgunlew
Posted 9/24/2008 10:35 AM (#337543 - in reply to #337513)
Subject: RE: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
Wow bro that looks sick! BUT THE STEELERS???????


Fish and Whistle - 9/23/2008 11:47 PM

Here are a few pics of the rod Frank built for me. I can't say enough about the attention he gave this rod. I've had a lot of hand problems and multiple surgeries. Frank took this into account when he set this rod up. He probably talked with me close to an hour about every detail from my main intentions for the rod (baits, reel), my size, my style of holding the rod. Because of is knowledge of rod building and his attention to detail I left the look of the rod up to him. I picked Black & yellow (since I'm a die hard Steelers fan) and said go with it. I could not be any happier with the rod he built me. Love the EVH wrap & the Steelers logo was a nice surprise.
dcates
Posted 9/24/2008 10:41 AM (#337549 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: RE: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 462


Location: Syracuse, Indiana
Frank is the man. Makes a great stick.
shotgunlew
Posted 9/24/2008 9:10 PM (#337666 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
Double Post

Edited by shotgunlew 9/24/2008 9:17 PM
shotgunlew
Posted 9/24/2008 9:16 PM (#337669 - in reply to #337331)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
Now if you where going to have frank make you a rod to throw everything ( I know the impossible ) what would the specs be? IM curious to hear yall's opinions! I want to throw bucktails to double cowgirls.


chris
Smokin Joe
Posted 9/24/2008 10:43 PM (#337677 - in reply to #337669)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 311


E-mail Frank and ask him that question, he will be able to tell you "everything" about the rods he builds. I used his rods last year while I was fishing with Jonesi, and all I can say is "NICE".
momuskies
Posted 9/24/2008 10:49 PM (#337678 - in reply to #337677)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 431


Hey Sean-that's a sweet rod except for the Illinois logo. Unfortunately for you, Missouri is going to own Illinois for the next few years.

Fish and Whistle-What blank is that? The color scheme is sweet.
shotgunlew
Posted 9/24/2008 11:10 PM (#337681 - in reply to #337678)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 254


Location: In the cabbage
Does frank have a site or a phone number I can call him on?
Smokin Joe
Posted 9/24/2008 11:31 PM (#337685 - in reply to #337681)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois




Posts: 311


630-483-8055. I think that is his number. If not, call Steve Jonesi @ 612-799-2034, he will give you Frank's number.
esoxaddict
Posted 9/25/2008 10:23 AM (#337740 - in reply to #337669)
Subject: Re: A rod builder in illinois





Posts: 8781


shotgunlew - 9/24/2008 9:16 PM

Now if you where going to have frank make you a rod to throw everything ( I know the impossible ) what would the specs be? IM curious to hear yall's opinions! I want to throw bucktails to double cowgirls.


chris


Lew, I'm gonna give you some advice:

Before you go crazy spending money on custom rods, spend a few years muskie fishing. Figure out what you want out of your fishing rods. Cool looking wraps and expensive guides aren't going to catch you more fish. There is no one rod that's perfect for every application. Even the same rod for the same application will work for some people and not for others. It all comes down to your style of fishing. But developing a style takes time. Knowing what rods you want initially is something that's impossible in my opinion. You need to fish. You need to fish a lot, with a lot of different people, and with a lot of different equipment. Finding out what you want is a process that there are no shortcuts to. I'd suggest a cheaper mass produced "all around" combo or two for the time being. In my opinion, that will be a much better investment than a high end custom rod.