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Muskie Fishing -> Lures,Tackle, and Equipment -> Custom Made Rods

NOFEAR

Posted 5/1/2009 9:16 PM (#375670)
Subject: Custom Made Rods

I'm looking to have a rod custom built (9') for throwing big blades and medium size rubber baits (8oz). I'm looking for something that you'd love to throw all day long! If you were to have to one built, who would you have build it and what blank would you have them use. The max you can spend is $350.

I'd appreciate any good suggestions.

SK

muskie24/7

Posted 5/1/2009 9:27 PM (#375673 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 909

I got one from Thorne Bros. alittle while back just like you described! Its their C-Series Rod! It cost me $220 to the door! Nicest rod I've ever held! Absolutley Beautiful!

Brian

whitetails

Posted 5/1/2009 9:57 PM (#375676 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 112

Location: algonquin Illinois

All my rods are built by Scott & Sean Bermingham of Dadson's custom rods.
They are in addison Illinois. Give them a call. They will walk you through the process and build you a great rod. They are a pleasure to throw all day long.
1-630-832-4241 for Scott
1-224-535-9085 for Sean

Jsondag

Posted 5/2/2009 12:43 AM (#375686 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

Lonnie at Thorne Bros. is by far one of the best rod builders in the country. I have use all sorts of custom rods from all sorts of builders. No one comes close the the workmanship and the speed that Lonnie possesses.

I would recommend a Custom Thorne Bros. Predator Heavy (It is a ST.CROIX Custom blank just for Thornes). It will be close to your spending limit, but it'll be the best rod for the money - Unless you can bump up your limit to just under 400, get a Slingblade custom from Lonnie. They are sick! For blades and rubber, it doesn't get any better. Call thornes to get exactly what you want!

cast10K

Posted 5/2/2009 10:14 AM (#375702 - in reply to #375686)
Subject: Re: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 432

Location: Eagan, MN

Gotta agree w/ Jerry. Thorne Bros has been at it a long, long time. The heavy predator or steel 25 would be a good starting point. Call them and tell them what you want to do.

KSauers

Posted 5/2/2009 11:36 AM (#375708 - in reply to #375702)
Subject: Re: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 743

Thornes all the way. As matter of fact I just got a Predator XH and Croix TM Jerk in the mail yesterday.

I'd like to try a Professional Edge rod and probably would have if he was in Chicago this year. But since he wasn't I stuck with what I know are great rods.

Fish and Whistle

Posted 5/2/2009 6:27 PM (#375727 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 462

Location: Antioch, IL

Frank's Custom Rods will always get my vote. The number of variables that Frank took into consideration when building a rod for me and multiple rods for many of my boat partners is amazing. The guy truly tailors the rod just for you and the intended application....not to mention they are freaking works of art. His thread work is stunning. He's on here from time to time. You should track him down and talk with him before making a decision.

esox50

Posted 5/2/2009 8:35 PM (#375739 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: CUSTOM MADE RODS

Posts: 2024

I will throw in another vote for Frank's (Bottiglieri) rods. You tell him what you want and he'll build it to your specs. Any other components (i.e., different guide types, fat cork, etc.) he'll help you out with. And as Dave said, his thread work is UNREAL. I have one of Frank's rods and it is my go-to rod for just about everything. If I were looking to get a rod for big blades and mag Dawgs, I'd look at the Loomis Steel 25. LOTS of good reports on that blank (do a search on the forum) and I know Frank is a big propenent of the blank as well. Whatever you get/whoever you go with, YOU'LL LOVE IT. Customs rock!

Mackerel

Posted 5/2/2009 9:39 PM (#375744 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 81

Location: Toronto, Ontario

I love Frank's rods too, they're fantastic. I have one and it's both a work of art and incredibly functional based on all the questions he has for you on your intended use for the rod and his incredible skill as a rod builder. Great guy too.

FishOD

Posted 5/3/2009 8:30 AM (#375772 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 20

I think all of the places mentioned are good, I live close to Thorne Brothers and have had nothing but good experiences with them. They will make you exactly what you want, just give them a call. I just purchesed a 9' Hvy Predator from them, awsome rod.

STUSHSKY

Posted 5/3/2009 8:34 AM (#375773 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 375

i've got three croix legends custom built by keith at proedge rods. great guy, actually listens to you and builds what YOU want / need. all three are built out to 8' 10" with the syncork handles and i will never go back to those "short" rods again. your choice of guides / wrap colors / etc. for the application you are looking for you just can't beat the croix legend built on the XH big dawg blank. i use mine for exactly what you want it for and that blank is just perfect!

NOFEAR

Posted 5/3/2009 8:49 AM (#375776 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Sounds like there are a lot of good rod builders out there! I'm going to stay local so i'll have one built by Keith at Proedge or Thorns.

I'm hearing a lot of GOOD things about the Sling Blade which is the direction i'm leaning in a 9' H with a 16" handle.

Is anyone throwing that rod and is it everthing it's cracked up to be?

Thanks for all the good feedback!

Jsondag

Posted 5/3/2009 9:15 AM (#375782 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

It is amazing how versatile that XHF Legend Tournament really is. Before the Slingblade that rod was the Go to in my boat for sure!

PIKEMASTER

Posted 5/3/2009 12:37 PM (#375797 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160

DaDson's Custom Rods give Scott or Sean Bermingham a call

MuskieMike

Posted 5/3/2009 1:56 PM (#375802 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Location: Des Moines IA

Franks ..... No Doubt about it ..................

longhunter

Posted 5/3/2009 2:38 PM (#375804 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Location: New Richmond, WI

If you go with a slingblade you might have to wait awile. I have been waiting since January for mine from Pro Edge. Guess he just can't get any in. He said I am one of the top 3 in line right now.

STUSHSKY

Posted 5/3/2009 3:25 PM (#375808 - in reply to #375804)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 375

after using my xh croix big dawg rod from keith at proedge for that medium 8 oz rubber you spoke of i wouldn't want to use the mh slingblade for that. actually i wish the big dawg blank were even just a bit stiffer for that application! i use the big dawg for the db 10's and it is perfect for that application in my opinion...

Jsondag

Posted 5/3/2009 3:45 PM (#375811 - in reply to #375808)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

STUSHSKY - 5/3/2009 3:25 PM

after using my xh croix big dawg rod from keith at proedge for that medium 8 oz rubber you spoke of i wouldn't want to use the mh slingblade for that.

The Slingblade isn't Medium Heavy (MH) it's Heavy. The Top -n- Tail is the MH. And your right, I wouldn't want to use a MH for rubber. The 8'6" Slingblade handles it great! The XH is an awesome versatile rod as well, and requires much less finesse due to it's power. Like I said before, the XHF was my go to rod up until last ('08) summer when I started throwing a Slingblade. The 9' Predator XH at Thornes is a nice in-between rod of the Big Dawg and the Slingblade - Nice rigid backbone and a nice soft tip.

STUSHSKY

Posted 5/3/2009 3:58 PM (#375814 - in reply to #375811)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 375

thanks for the correction jsondag on the mh / h part but even with that being said personally i wouldn't feel comfortable using anything less than the xh big dawg for the bigger plastics. to each his own...

Jsondag

Posted 5/3/2009 4:06 PM (#375817 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

No doubt on the XH - Both are top shelf rods!

bridgeman

Posted 5/3/2009 4:47 PM (#375819 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 529

Location: Not Where I Want To Be

Frank's custom rods without a Doubt. Just got done throwing my 25 Steel Loomis and could not believe the way it felt.
Hence the reason Frank is in the middle of building me another custom for Jerks.

Posted 5/3/2009 5:42 PM (#375823 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

easy choice, 9' Pro Edge Sling Blade...sweet rod.
I have one that I love so far...

DEMolishedyou2

Posted 5/4/2009 9:21 AM (#375937 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 434

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Seems like a lot of people like Frank's and Thorne Bros custom rods. I guess I will have to give both a call. Does anyone know the contact information for Frank's Bottiglieri Rods?

Edited by DEMolishedyou2 5/4/2009 9:23 AM

bridgeman

Posted 5/4/2009 9:26 AM (#375939 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 529

Location: Not Where I Want To Be

Frank's Custom Rods
630-309-8055

just_one_more_cast

Posted 5/4/2009 9:33 AM (#375942 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 76

Location: Bartlett IL

Hey guys, thanks for the recommendations.

Matt, PM or drop me an email.

JohnMD

Posted 5/4/2009 11:53 AM (#375965 - in reply to #375942)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 1769

Location: Algonquin, ILL

Another vote for Franks, As a matter of fact I will be picking up my custom Cowgirl rod on the 13th, I'll post some opics when I get it

just_one_more_cast

Posted 5/7/2009 7:13 PM (#376743 - in reply to #375965)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 76

Location: Bartlett IL

JohnMD

Here are a couple pictures of your rod. See you Wednesday at the FRV meeting. If you can't wait that long, give me a call. We can hook up over the weekend.

Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window

Click to expand / contract the width of this image

(JohnMD-2.jpg)

Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window

(JohnMD-1.jpg)

Attachments
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JohnMD-2.jpg (65KB - 214 downloads)
Attachments

JohnMD-1.jpg (51KB - 233 downloads)

JohnMD

Posted 5/8/2009 7:23 AM (#376830 - in reply to #376743)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 1769

Location: Algonquin, ILL

Frank: The Rod Looks Great, See ya on Wed

run n gun

Posted 5/4/2009 12:19 PM (#375974 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 75

Location: Aurora, IL.

All the above rod builders are great and have excellent reputations for rod quality and customer service. I use Keith at ProEdge. His number is 612-802-4629

Good luck!

Joe

jnelson

Posted 5/4/2009 6:38 PM (#376045 - in reply to #375974)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 181

I've used Franks, Thornes and Pro edge rods. I personally build my own and buy my materials from Thornes because they are AWESOME to deal with and very helpful. Steve Jonesi uses Franks and I was very impressed with the detail that went into his rods. But you said you wanted to stay local, if you change your mind definately give this guy a call, he may be the best out there!

Personally if I were chosing between Thornes and Pro edge (which you said you are going too) I'd go with Thorne Bros. Pro Edge doesn't use as wide a variety of blanks as Thorne Bros. and hasn't been doing it as long as Lonnie. On a side note my friends who have Pro edge rods seem to like them though and that speaks allot to me because these guys are certifiable about their equipment. I just like Thorne Bros for their people and products and have never had a bad experiance with them. (they built two for me and I purchased the components for two over this past winter)

Loomis Steel 25 is one heck of a blank, but I'm not sure if you can get that in 9' like you want. If I remember Thornes would extend it out to around 8'9"(someone correct me if I'm wrong). I just built a 8'6" on a competitor series from Thornes that would work perfect for what your doing. Retail on that rod will run you 150-200 I believe which is well within your budget. And Thorne bros should be able to extend that to 9' for you. You also may be able to spend some of that extra $ on lures while your there.

Call them and tell them what you want, sure they have more ideas than this thread will introduce.

Be carefull though whoever you buy from that they allow you to pick what YOU want not try and persuade you into something else because that has a bigger markup or is in stock.

Sorry about the long post, this one is close to my heart because of my love of fishing poles. I'd carry a dozen in the boat if there was room...

Edited by jnelson 5/4/2009 6:39 PM

esox69

Posted 5/4/2009 7:44 PM (#376056 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

the berminghams at dadsons- total pros, awesome to deal with, and absolutely amazing rods!
steve

NOFEAR

Posted 5/4/2009 7:58 PM (#376059 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Thanks again for everyones feedback on this subject. It's given me a good starting point for choosing a rod.

Thanks Everyone!

Jsondag

Posted 5/7/2009 11:00 PM (#376802 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

Here are the 2 - 9'6 Predators I had made.

Both have 20" handles - The XH is the one with Syncork. The H has the Split grip.

Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window

(DSC_0006.JPG)

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DSC_0006.JPG (44KB - 279 downloads)

muskie24/7

Posted 5/8/2009 8:10 AM (#376833 - in reply to #376802)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 909

Jerry, Which handle do you prefer? The regular Cork or The syncork?

Brian

Jsondag

Posted 5/8/2009 8:22 AM (#376834 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

Blade rods regular cork and Dawg rods Syncork - I know the XH Predator is not really touted as a dawg rod, just thought it would be cool to have a solid black rod - The Stealth rod.
It's funny, I hated the Syncork when it first hit the market, but after using it on a custom Big Dawg rod in the fall, I loved it.
The reason for that, is it has a lot of grip to it. And in the fall, throwing mags and pounders when your hands are wet and numb, it is much more tacky especially when wearing gloves. I have a couple XH's with Syncork and I love 'em both - Well I loved them both Luke Ronnestrand has laid claim to one of them. If I get any new trolling rods made they will definitely have Syncork on them.

trolling king

Posted 5/8/2009 8:51 AM (#376839 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 83

Location: Antioch IL

I have two frank's rods. I will never buy from anyone else again. And yes i have used other rod builder.

rob.s

Posted 5/8/2009 1:52 PM (#376909 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 136

Location: Chicago

Another vote for Franks!

NOFEAR

Posted 5/8/2009 8:08 PM (#376952 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: RE: Custom Made Rods

AND THE WINNER IS!

H PREDATOR BY THORNBROTHERS!

Ordered it today and can't wait to use it this summer!

I went down to Thornbrothers a few times and looked at some floor samples of the Predator which was my first mistake! Loved it immediatly when I first picked it up. After looking at many great options this Rod just felt right to me and too no ones suprise the service level at Thornbrothers was outstanding as usual.

29 DAYS AND COUNTING

Jsondag

Posted 5/8/2009 9:22 PM (#376966 - in reply to #375670)
Subject: Re: Custom Made Rods

Posts: 692

Location: Pelican Rapids, MN

Nice, I knew you'd make the right choice - I'm so proud!

You won't be sorry!

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