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Posts: 980
| If I wanted to begin looking into possible options for rod builders who would you guys recommend? I know of Elk River Rods but was wondering if there were other that are recommended? |
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Posts: 743
| I have had Elk's build a walleye rod for me and it is nice. Mostly I go to Thornes. They can't be beat for quality. I have 1 by Elk River and 7 from Thornes. There's another one pretty good,think it's Franks Never had one done by him but I think there are several people on here who have. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Frank Custom's are the best I've thrown. I can't afford them, but I love using Slamr and Jonesi's!!!! He is on the board. I can't remember his user name though?? |
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Posts: 208
| I have 3 customs (2 predators/1 big nasty) from Thornes and love them all. Like mentioned Franks is also highly recommended. Who ever you choose when you fish a custom stick you will never go back. |
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Posts: 380
Location: Michigan | Franks is a great choice in my opinion. I have 6 rods from Frank. He does the nicest wraps that i have seen. You pick the thread, wraps, cork, seat, etc. Totally custom! |
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Posts: 112
Location: Nielsen's Fly-In Lodge, on Rowan Lake | Just a suggestion save a ton of money and have a great time doing it build your own and it will be exactly what you are looking for I can help you out if you would like
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| Thorne Bros. is the only way to go. There Predator rod are by far the best you can get.
Last year I had two of there glass trolling rods made and they are great.
I have them made with the syncork over the regular cork handles and would highly recomend that as well.
Great service and Lonnie knows his stuff when it come to building them right. |
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Posts: 112
Location: Nielsen's Fly-In Lodge, on Rowan Lake | Bill s
Has just said it all they are the best and their for you after the sale that's for sure you can't go wrong |
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Posts: 144
Location: Loves Park, IL | One more plug for Frank's Custom Rods. Beautiful rods and qulity built to your specifications. You will NOT be disappointed. He usually has a booth at the Chicago Musky Show.
Jeff |
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Posts: 321
| If you don't mind spending a premium Dadson is about as good as it gets. If you want a standard custom rod I think the choices listed above are good. H |
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Posts: 944
| Chuck Divito of CUSTOM X RODS builds a kick ass rod. They are the strongest i have ever used, caught some huge fish on them last year. He has them at the shows in the Big Game/Custom X booth check them out.
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | Can someone explain why these predator rods are very desirable. I have heard a ton of good things about them. What does a 9'er run at thornes?? |
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Posts: 752
| The Predators are proprietary blanks built for Thorne Bros by St Croix. They are built to specifications by rod builder extrodanire Lonnie. They load up a bit differently then the standard Legend Elite St Croix Rods but are essentilly made out of the same matertials they are just designed a bit differntly. They tend to ultilize a deeper load kind of like an old school Loomis wallye rod VS a St Croix rod if that means anything to you. I have one of each kind and really like them. I also have a Sling Blade too and think they all have great qualitites. From a price point they are the same (roughly) as a Legend Elite rod if you get them stock. If you want to get better guides they can run more expensive. |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | I have 3 Predators, 2 Calstars, and 4 trolling rods all built by Frank. The craftsmanship is incredible and his attention to detail is second to none. I also have rods built by Thorne's as well that are also very high quality. Cant go wrong with either one. |
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Posts: 83
Location: Antioch IL | I have three Frank's rods. They are the best. |
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| Are there any builders that make a telescoping rod? I like TI and Okuma rods, but I would like a higher-end model that would be better suited for a Tranx. |
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Posts: 180
Location: Elgin, IL | Yes. Good question. Which of these rods mentioned ( Thornes or Franks) would be best. And what length. Heavy or XH. I'll be one of the lucky ones getting this reel |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | Guest,
I'm not aware of any manufacturers that offer telescoping musky blanks. Lots of rods, but no bare blanks. I assume what you're asking is 'can a builder take a regular blank and make it telescopic?'. I believe the answer is no. I've never heard of any builder making a rod (musky or otherwise) telescopic without it being designed that way by the manufacturer.
jeremy |
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Posts: 501
Location: S.Wisconsin | One name....Joel Wick. His workmanship is top notch and he is a good guy. Can post pics of some he did for me if you want to see some |
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| What Cochran said. |
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Posts: 2089
| I've been using custom rods since reading about Thornes in an In-Fisherman article in the early 80's and have owned probably 25 or so, from Thornes, over the years. The 1st time I met Frank and saw/used his rods, I was hooked(pun intended). Not to reiterate what's already been said, but his personal service(before and after the sale) and attention to detail is phenomenal. He builds on all blanks(including Predators) and only uses top quality components. Not all custom rods are created equal as some here have discovered in the last couple years. Standard Custom Rods? Not applicable with Frank. Each and every rod is built to YOUR specs, thus the term Custom. I'll agree that there are some builders that cut corners and churn 'em out. Little details make a big difference. Are the guides "ground"? Are they underwrapped? I could go on, suffice to say that there is no "best". I use Franks because he produces a PREMIUM product with the service to match and more importantly, he's my friend. I still have and use my Sages from Thornes and am very thankful to those guys for teaching me the rod business when I worked there. Do your due dilligence and talk to people. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Frank will have a booth in Chicago and will have several examples of his work on hand. Check 'em out and chat. I just might be there too! |
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Posts: 493
Location: midwest | I use Dadson's Custom Rods as a builder. They will be at the Chicago show and have a booth. Grips are built to your preference in legnth/diameter using extremely high grade cork, guides are ground as well as underwrapped. You pick the thread colors and design the rod with them to fit your needs and they build it to your specs. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Just an FYI but I will have my Tackle Industries (TI) blanks available in Feb. Already have a few custom rod builders ready to get them. Once I sell/ship the blanks I will post who has them and the contact info for each builder.
James
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Custom Rod Builders