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Posts: 2024
| I'll likely be having a custom rod made up and want your input on things you like or dislike on your custom rods. Things like guides (cermet vs. SiC, do they really make a difference?), cork, etc.
Thanks in advance! |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | For my Professional Edge rod, I like the thick cork and the length of the handle/foregrip. You can get them longer too if you just request it from Keith, but the standard lengths are plenty long even if you palm the reel.
I also like the light weight of the rod. Mine is an 8-6 heavy power and it's nice and light. I can throw Mag Dawgs and the 12" Dunwright Lifelike lures with ease.
I also like the options you can get for the thread colors, wraps etc. You can make it look as fancy (to match your boat maybe) or as plain and simple as you'd like. I like the plain and simple look so mine is dark colors.
You will not be disappointed with a custom rod from Keith. |
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Posts: 2089
| Sean,
Are you sure you want to go custom???? There's no turning back, and you'll have a tougher time buying from the rack again. Why custom??? Why not. I've gotten a hard time from others regarding my custom rods over the years. A rod is a tool, and I want to use what I perceive to be the best tool for the job. I ask them how much their Matthews Bow or the Benelli SBE cost. Funny, the custom rods don't seem that expensive after all. LOL. I've been using/having built custom s for about 25 years. The quality of components has come full circle. Night and day to what was available back then. Lets look at guides first.
Aside from the blank, the most important component in my opinion. I like SiC rings. With hard pulling baits and long days on the water, I have no line wear whatsoever. The rings are harder and smoother, eliminating any friction or heat .I think they also will provide for a little longer cast as there is less friction. I have a couple rods with alconite guides and so far so good. A more cost effective option as well. Frames? When I started having longer rods built(8'+) I began using the titanium framed SiC's. Incredibly light and strong. You can often times bend them back if they get bent too. I 've had a couple with Gold Cermet over the years and just can't justify the cost. The set for a muskie rod is over $200. High performance and beautiful , but really expensive. Save a hundy and do Titanium. Kinda funny talking about saving weight on a long rod that is casting 13oz. baits.Upgrading from standard guides to steel framed SiC's is the most cost effective, usually under $50. The # of guides isn't as important as the spacing. Remember that friction thing? More guides, more friction, shorter casts.I think we're good on guides.
Reel seats. I've only strayed from the standard reel seat a few times. Depending on the diameter of the butt section(with extension), I like the Fuji soft touch. Kinda has a rubbery feel to it. I palm my reels and the grip is rock solid. When I get real dry hands in Summer, I don't have to "dip" the handles of the rods with this reel seat.Nice.
Handles. What's the difference. Handle kits and individual cork rings.Some builders use kits and some use individual rings. Individual rings make it much easier to shape the handle.Truly custom.Kits are fine if nothing special is requested for the handle.There are differences in quality of cork as well.I've watched some deteriorate over time. The better quality is "tighter" with less holes/divots. Now that we're on handles, probably should talk some about extensions. With the race for longer rods, the length of the blanks hasn't caught up yet. Thus the need for an extension. Inside or outside? I think the inside extension is more durable. Basically, a piece of rod is cut and inserted into the butt section of the blank. Glued and wrapped, the extension now makes the 8' blank 9'. Handle length is all personal preference.On my 9'+ rods, I like an 18" handle. Let the rod do the work! This also brings up the next point, balance.What reel are you using. The builder should ask this. It's amazing how the entire feel of a rod can change by adding a little to the back end. Some rods feel like a tank, and when the handle is extended....not so "tankish" anymore. Balance. I've also gone away from rubber butt caps. They catch on my shirt in the warm weather and my jacket when it's colder. Due in part to the handle length I know, but the cork butt is much smoother. Perhaps not as durable as the rubber, so don't drag the rod on the ground!!!
Wraps. Lots of options for butt wraps, so we won't get into cosmetics here. Again, personal preference. Are the feet of the guides "ground" before application. If not, the structural integrity of the blank may be compromised. Like 2 little claws digging into the blank.Fuji guides must be ground. Is the tip put on with hot glue or epoxied? Is it wrapped too? Lots of little differences I've found over the years that can make a big difference when the moment of truth arrives. I hope I've shed some light on the subject, as it seems more muskie anglers are going with custom rods these days. Wait til you catch the 1st fish on YOUR custom. Good times and smiles all around. Steve
Edited by Steve Jonesi 12/27/2007 7:05 AM
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Posts: 75
Location: Aurora, IL. | Steve's comments are right on, once I went custom it's hard for me to consider one off the shelf any longer. If you have them built the way Steve suggested they are priced very competitvely.
Here's another thing to consider; Steve talked about rubber vs. cork butt, not sure of your casting style but for me I cast from my right side and then transfer the rod to my left hand and crank with my right. If the butt section is to long it gets hung up on my shirt or jacket in the transfer, a real pain in the butt if your trying to time lure entry with the engaging of the reel to get the bait moving as soon as it hits the water. I had Keith at Professional edge take an inch off the butt section and this solved the problem.
There are alot of other minor modifications that a custom builder can make and if your looking for a premium rod I'd talk to a custom rod builder directly. Not sure if your going to the Chicago show but Keith will be there, great guy.
Joe |
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Posts: 134
| Call Keith at Professional Edge, he's like a Tailor for muskie rods. He will build you a rod that fits you, he can turn your dimensions and wants into a real muskie rod. Rod length, cork size, guide choice and thread; the combinations are endless. Buy a muskie rod from a muskie fisherman, it just makes sense.
Joe Wishin |
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Posts: 159
| Pro Edge rods are the way for me. I have 6 of them and I could never go back |
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Posts: 31
Location: saint paul, mn | between thorne bros. and professional edge, which is prefered |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | jerkmybait - 12/27/2007 12:02 PM
between thorne bros. and professional edge, which is prefered
I can only comment on Professional Edge since I don't have one thru Thorne Bros. I love my Professional Edge! I've got pretty much the same sentiments as the others who've commented it would be hard to go back to any other. I decided to spoil myself a little bit and get a custom Pro Edge for my birthday last year and I'm glad I did. Beautiful looking rod and just as functional as it is purty! 
Edited by gtp888 12/27/2007 1:20 PM
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Posts: 2024
| Yes, this would be for one of Keith's rods. Been in contact with him and I am stoked to get one!!! If I like it, look at the Buy, Sell, Trade board for listings for the rest of my rods!!
Thanks, gents! Any more info/input would be appreciated. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | sean, nothing to add on the technical end, but you will be very pleased with your pro edge rod. once you get one, you will find yourself getting more...ive ordered my 4th musky rod, and second walleye rod and really dont even use the backups anymore. i need to clean house one of these days. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Definately a vote for the extended butt end. The thick cork keith uses is also very nice. |
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Posts: 401
| Steve has given a bunch of good information.
I prefer Zirconium guides to SiC. There are so many options but at some point the benefit of a certain guide is not worth the additional cost. I currently use a standard harloy and also an upgraded Zirconium guide. Zirconium is very close on the Vickers hardness scale to SiC. Some of the higher end St Croix rods are using this guide as well as some bass rods that retail up to $500. Zirconium performs well, it is durable and I think they look better then SiC.
It is all about preferences.
Keith
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Posts: 85
| I have both Thorne and Pro Edge customs, and am pleased with both. Almost a Ford vs Chevy debate, or in this case Ferrari vs Porsche, both are high end rods. That said, my first two were from Thorne, next three were from KT, so I think my preference is seen in my actions.
Personally, I prefer the fat cork Keith uses as it's less fatigue and for me easier to hold in cold conditions, and the Dback blanks are second to none. My Thorne is a Croix blank, so I can't compare Dback to Dback. I do find myself using the same 8'6" heavy KT Dback more though over the Thorne 8'6" heavy Croix; weight (lack of I should say), balance, and overall "feel". So many of us are all about the heavy stuff, but I have an 8' med Dback and it's hands down my favorite rod. Had it tied with pink wrap for the Mrs as a rod for her but I absolutely love it and am not embarrassed to use a pink wrapped rod...... Another is a 8' jerkbait/topwater rod, makes a Weagle "dance" with no effort. Love it. Some will say 8' is too long for a topwater presentation, but not at all with the right stick.
Mid-level, as I'll call it: KT Edge series is in my opinion well above the Thorne S and C series blanks. I don't have one but used my buddies a bit and was very impressed. Netted several for him on that rod. This is based on the prior Edge blank, not this years Edge blank. The new blanks sound pretty impressive. I have an S series Thorne, and it's now my "partner's" rod, as I never use it. Feels like a pool cue compared to a Dback. Still a very nice rod, but once you go to the higher end the other's feel foreign in your hands.
Price: I think a Pro Edge is more bang for the buck. He's not going to get rich off this gig, but if there are issues, he's done competing in the market.
Above all that, there's a certain personal feel and sense of craftsmanship to the KT rods, as you're dealing with the rod builder one-to-one. Heck, I even had two rods hand delivered to me at a dock while I was out fishing! Can't beat that.....
Chris
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Posts: 814
| Before you spend your hard earned cash on that production rod....Everyone make sure you check out Franks's Custom Rods at the Chicago Show! With the push towards longer rods (9 footers +)This is a real chance to see some of the BEST custom rods out there...He builds on everything under the sun...Dback,ST.Croix,Kelstar..etc. Cost is very comparable to factory manufactured rods except its built to YOUR specs. These rods truly stand above the rest when said and done, check them out for yourself...he will have a bunch of display rods there as well as many to sell. Be sure to check out his thread art!! You can't miss it. hahaha here's his # if you have custom rod ?'s1-630-483-8055
Mike Leombruni
Edited by mskyhntr 12/30/2007 4:09 PM
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Posts: 136
Location: Chicago | After talking to Frank from Frank Custom Rods, I'll be getting my first custom rod. I told him what I'm looking for and the reel I was using (700te) and the problems I had with my current setup. (7'6'' st. croix classic cat - not long enough, line rubbing on the first guide, and handle too short) After that I decided to go with a 9' st croix tournament legend big dawg rod with a 17' handle. Since I didn't live too far from his house, he told me to stop by with the reel and go over the components for the rod. After going the following weekend, he showed me some of the custom rods he's made. One was a st croix tournament legend top & tail with a curado 300dsv on it. From there I knew store bought rods aren't an option anymore. His rods are the real deal and his wraps are unbelievable with 3d & fish scale patterns to name a few. Can't wait to see the rod at the Harper show and others as well. I know I'll be ordering a top & tail rod after the show.
Thanks to the person who posted Frank's # a few months back. |
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Posts: 76
Location: Bartlett IL | Mike & Rob
Thanks for the kind words.
Both of your rods will be ready and at the booth in Chicago. Steve Jonesi & I are in Booth 84 near the boats & seminar hall.
Stop by and we can take a walk to the pool on Saturday or Sunday to try them out. I'll also have that St Croix SCIV Top n Tail rod you can you can try them out.
See you guys this weekend. I'm really looking forward to the show. |
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