FIRST ROD BUILD; Building & Testing My First Custom Made Fishing Rod 

The first few minutes are an overview of the rod build starter kit, skip to 5 minutes if you want to go straight to the start of the build. Thanks so much for watching!

Wow just seeing this out of the box ru-vid.comUgkxQr1yd4Zc6qJF-scTB6Zb9dQbVpviuRxB recommend I have yet to fish with this set up, but based on the first hands on appeal, I can tell this is going to change the way i pack and carry to a whole new level. If you fish like i do, you know the smaller and less stuff the better. I’ve added a photo of just some of my gear so you can see how serious i am about fishing.

If your ever in the Paris TN area feel free to spot by my shop and I'll show you correct ways to build a rod.

I’ve been making lures for about 7 months now, and got a random call a few days ago from one of my dads buddy’s that he wants to give me all his custom rod building tools and materials for free! I’ll be picking up the rod building tools tomorrow, 16 year old fisherman’s dream lol!

I keep wanting to offer tips, but then I realized this video is 10 months old and you probably have learned a lot since then if you got addicted like I did.

I think its great that you are willing to show everyone while you "learn as you go".

Dont keep moving your handles on and off. Tape off front edge of handles to keep epoxy out of pores of the grips. Start your guide wraps on the 180 degree side of the rod. You must pack your thread starting from the second turn around the rod. Otherwise you end up looking like you did.

Great job! You will only get better the more you do it. Just finished wrapping up some prototype black hole nano 300 gram and a 400 gram 8’6” rods for fighting bluefin tuna. Those rods super strong used the new titanium alloy guides from AMERICAN TACKLE . I was able to run smaller guides to keep the action. These rods had #3 tip and the other #4 so I double wrapped the A thread and two coats epoxy. Super strong 💪. Didn’t compromise the parabolic bend of the blank. Set up for spinning. Glad to see you building rods. Mud hole is a great outfit. My best friend owns American tackle so I get to play with all the fun new stuff. But would love to see you build a slow pitch 120 gram rod and fish it. I’m setting to build one now for myself. Just called my buddy on the parts for a sweet slow pitch. Use the Bushido diamond weave blanks. You can lift a house with them. If you can afford it stick with American Tackle titanium the guides so much stronger than stainless. And they don’t corrode. Or distort so ring pops out. Use nonolite rings as well. Have fun.

I must say, this was one of my favorite videos you’ve put out. I love how you teach the DIY angler how to build their own baits AND RODS!! Nice work man. Can’t wait to see you progress through the rod building process and make us all pros.

Well you just started a new hobby for me ordered like 4 kits

My favorite part of the hobby is building my own rods it's been rewording and when you hook fish on your own rod and see the deck of your boat full of your rods it's fulfilling!

My son Cole just got the kit (and he & I together got three additional rods worth of equipment). We're 3 rods in and loving it. We spined his first rod with the raw blank and a china marker, then I saw you on Terry's channel and how easy it is to spine it with the end cap, handles, and reel set already on. Thanks so much for that tip. As an impatient craftsman, taking a minute with the burnishing tool (little yellow thing in the kit) definitely helped me keep the wraps clean. Love the channel... Cole & I should be getting our first molds, injector, glitter, and plastic tomorrow - redirected my Christmas gift cards from clothes to lures!. Thanks a ton for all the inspiration.

Outstanding job! I thought about taking on this task months ago, but didnt because it looked difficult. Now, I'm going to make my own roads from here on out!!!

Awesome that you built first rod on camera. You’ll be a pro in no time. I started last year. I was lucky enough to have a friend who has been building for awhile to help me out. It can be overwhelming at first with all the different components, guides sizes, etc... mud hole offers rod kits in very length and action to get started. I built rods for friends and family for cost to practice. A St. Croix legend tournament sells for around $300 I can build with quality components for about $115.

I am building my first rod right now. I’ve been very picky with my wraps. Learned how to do a lot of my wraps from watching mudhole “live” videos on RU-vid or Facebook. They will teach you exactly how to do complex wraps perfectly .

Hello from south FL, Great video my son and I love watching your videos. Keep up the great work.

Just built my first ice rod this past weekend. Love it ! Didn't buy any tools just the rod, handle , blank, and a spool of thread wrap. used tools I already have .Super sensitive for like $30 ! Mudhole is great can't wait to build more

Best to spline the blank first because the butt is perfectly round, do it on level ground or get a bearing tool. Use a wax pen to draw a line up the blank so you can line up everything easily.

You were supposed to use the stepper motor to turn the rod for you while you wrapped the guides. It allows you to use both hands to do your wrap. While you apply pressure with one, you can tighten and snug with the other. You just stop it when you need to if things go a tad too fast for you. Funny enough, I used this exact technique to repair my graphics pen which is absurdly expensive. It fractured down the seam and it would begin to separate as I worked with it, but I gave it 3/8" worth of wraps and then coated/saturated it in superglue and it's perfect! You see kids??!?!?… the lessons learned in Fishing can be used and applied for every day things. LOL Great vid bud, keep them coming!

Loved the video! Great looking rod, love the colors and it seems fairly straightforward! Thanks for sharing!

Great job for your first time. I just might have to give it a try

I’ve build a few rods and always spined the blank first, but I like how you did it, seems to be more accurate for the grip then marking the blank, great video! New sub for ya here :)

Pretty kewl glad you picked up on the single layer wrap pretty quickly.. Also hope ya cut the first wraps off n rewrapped em lol.. Yes that price point is the best reason to build n roll your own anything!!!!

I know my grandfather made rods 50 years ago or so. I'm sure it's changed a bit with the grips and reel seat. Awesome video and cool to see your first attempt.

Great video 💯 now I want to try building my own. Thanks for sharing

😂😂😂😂 34° wind chill. I’m not in the north but I fished a tournament last month on Table Rock, and the actual temp was 16°F when we put in. Guides were freezing solid every 4-5 casts, and the spools on my reels with braid to leader froze solid after a few casts too. Those days dropping the money on good insulated bibs and tops is so, so worth it

Great video, thank you. Please more on rod building, and any pointers on eye alignment..tips,tricks...

I realize this comment is three years late, but just wanted to say that this is a great video. I really like that you showed us your first attempt at a custom built rod. Like any new skill, getting the cosmetics perfect will come with experience, but as someone who is interested in building my own custom rods I appreciate the fact that it is very possible to get a perfectly functional product that will last for years on your first try. Great job, I'm anxious to try a build for myself!

nice job plan on making mine here shortly thanks again

Great work looks good always enjoy watching all ur vids

Great video man just the video I was looking for

Awesome! I just started building my first rod.

Another great video Chris! Again thank you for sharing! Always look forward to your next video! Great job on your first rod build! Where did you get the WWF stickers for the rod? I am still working on my bait making skills that I can truly say that you were definitely my mentor being able to watch all your videos multiple times and learning so much! Again thanks for sharing your great videos and being a great inspiration!

Bro! Just did my first rod with this vid! A question tho, where did you get the tubing for the guides??

I didn't know about how to test for the spine. That's interesting. I just tested my two casting rods. I have a Duckett Ghost and a Duckett Green Ghost for my casting rods(both 7ft med-hvy general use casting). They are made from the same model blank, but the Green Ghost has a different style of grip and slightly larger eyelets. The Ghost is right on spine, not a bit of deviation. The Green Ghost is slightly off. It is barely noticeable, but comparing the two rods, which are identical blanks, you can tell that the Green is off. It looks like only 1 degree, maybe 1.5degrees. This is something I am going to use whenever I buy a rod now. thanks for that bit of information. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

A good tip is to scuff the blank where you will be applying epoxy. I use a grey scratch pad 3M which is a finer grit than green or burgundy pads. Will give better adherence.

That part that you showed us about the spine wS great tyvm

Awesome! It looks awesome! I need to try my own! It's been cold here in Alabama too. We had 24° last night. It's good for hunting though! Got a big buck last night! It scored in the upper 120s! Great video!

Just a friendly tip here :) If you find yourself in one area for a long time thats hard to focus on, ex: @24 minute mark and before, get focus on what you want then switch it to manual focus on the lens. It will hold that focus and never re focus.

You can use lacquer thinner to help slide on the handles and to clean up the extra epoxy after, it helps so you can make the grips tighter to the blank.

Really nice build. Congratulations.

Hi Chris. Nice job for your first attempt ! I started out with the same setup you have. If I may share a tip, do your wraps with thread at a slight angle to the left. It will give you more control and a tighter wrap. Also use your burnishing tool to smooth things out. You'll find each rod you build comes out better than the last. Good luck on future builds ! There is nothing more satisfying than catching fish on a rod that you built on a bait that you made. And, it's true what you said. You'll never use a commercial rod again. I know I won't. ;-)

Awesome video. Thanks

One word of caution, go slow on the reaming cause it will heat up the ream and the abrasive tape will come off the ream. So go slow and let the ream cool off.

Congratulations!! Cant wait to do 1 of my own! Maybe 3!!

a quick tip on putting the tip top guide on cut a wafer of the glue then cut it into strips that fit in the tube of the tip top.. then heat the guide to melt the glue then slide it on...

Hell yeahs man that turned out nice, and you showed that is definitely a doable project. A+ Dude and a ⭐️! 🤠👍🏼

Love your channel for soft plastics. But I highly recommend u look into a thread packing or burnishing tool.

I've been making rods for a while. Welcome to the addiction. You can build a high end rod way cheaper then buying on from the store.

I still have a rod i built in 1971, and still fish it. Buy good blanks they last a long time. Have fun

I have been waiting for the video.. It was awesome!!

Awesome video. And the rod turned out freakin amazing 😎

Beautiful bait caster combo 👍🎣🔥

So I gotta ask. How does the rod you built compare to rods you've bought 2 yrs later? it's crazy how from wrap one to wrap 3 how much your wraps improved. I'll be building my first as soon as my blank arrives.

Even though I don't have one yet, I like the hi viz neon colored rods and reels. My neighbor has the Ozark Trail rod and reel and his is neon orange. My Ugly Stick and Shimano are gray and black.. Dark colors. I'm surprised no one has made a neon green glow in the dark fishing rod because I'd buy one.

Chris man Mudhole Live here on youtube will be your daily watching for a while it has become mine when im not here or watching other bass fishing videos lol

I'm subscribing because you actually showed in detail how to tie the thread on the eyes. That's wonderful. I do have 2 question though which I can't find yet in these videos. 1. How do you know the spacing for the eyes? 2. What type of decal and where did you purchase it from? Happy 4th.

Great job. I replaced an eye one time and always wanted to do a custom rod.

Thank you for showing that was really cool. I might half to give it a shout to build me a rod.

Great video - something new and fun. Have thought about making my own rod for years but settled for just making my own baits. I think I'll have to change that. Got a buddy in Titusville I'm going to see so I think a trip to Mud Hole is in order.

Just one layer on the guides unless you are under wrapping them to protect the blank, which you usually only do on a heavy salt rods. You want maybe a 20 degree back angle on the thread so the theead sort of climbs the previous wrap and lines up on the other side. Gaps will happen, but you can feather them out with a burnishing tool or even your finger nail. The hardest part for me is getting the thread to climb the foot. Burnish the wrap before coating. On guides with small feet like microguides, you can wrap the final couple of wraps around the guide itself then around the blank before finishing the wrap. That'll keep the guide from pulling out if a knot gets hung up in the eye. Dont be afraid to reguide some old rods as it's great practice, and - in my opinion - lots of fun.

You did good. I would suggest getting a burnishing tool to help pack the threads. You will soon critique all factory rods because of the attention to detail that you do. Great video.

Another good video man I like the idea of building your own rod I might have to give that a try they sell rod blanks for salt water robs so looks like I might be checking into that I have found one rod that love and it's been used and abused for a long time now

How's this rod been holding up for you. Do you use it to fish with or does it just sit put up in a corner.

I'm not a rod builder but I thought you want an underwrap before the ring goes on, also packing the thread down as soon as you start keeps it neat. I've bought plenty of rods and I'm a fussy bugger. Nice little contraption for whipping though, I really like that.

I like that you specified that this is a "see, you can do it" video. But I hope nobody takes this as instructional.

I know it's your first time doing this but my eyes started twitching with that first wrap...lol The idea behind neatly and tight packing of your thread is NIT just for perfection of thread wrapping but if you're doing micro guides and you only need one layer of thread (I recommend two) you need to make sure you have enough tension on the thread and tightly pack the thread to give maximum hold down strength to your guide in addition to the epoxy finishing process.

That was awesome man!! I bet it was a great feeling to use a rod you had built.

i just love it Love it love it

If you ever sold those, count me in on buying one!! 😂 Awesome job it looks great!

Chris you should use Isopurple Alcohol to whipe off the Pro Paste. I use that and haven't had an issue yet with it. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one doing Rod Building here in Tallahassee but I do mine under my Soft Plastic Business. Great first build man. I can't wait to see your next one man. I have seen pictures of the one that Simple Jack built.great work from him to.

When its comes to gluing the tip guide on,use hot glue and not epoxy. So if you damage it you can just warm it with a lighter and easily remove it without damaging the rod tip.Sometimes you have to cut the blank when Epoxy has been used.Its worth carrying a spare tip and a hot glue stick with you while fishing.Then its an easy fix in minutes.

That was GREAT (gutsy move) Thx 👍

Hi bud where is the best place to find some blanks please Top video

Awesome job

That little eye for mount your bait is upside down, rod is nice :)

How did you determine the guide spacing?

What’s up Chris!?!? Love the channel! Just wanted to see about that pricing on that stuff? You mentioned your we’re gonna go over it and then never did.

Interesting, I may give it a try. Looked pretty good for the first one.

Worlds Worst Fishing where did you get those decals made?

That has to be the greatest thread wrap job I've ever whitnessed.

How you decide the Line rating for the Custom Rod

How do you know what rod blank to order? Do they have blanks for worming, crankbaits and flipping? Then with the difference in blanks which one is best to order?

Got a 7' light turnkey kit for Christmas, but don't really want to use the crb handle or guides it came with. Waiting impatiently for a few specific fuji items to be back in stock.

There was one time I found a custom fishing rod someone made it was actually in to parts one in the tree the other part in the water with a bait on it

Nice vid bro and beautiful rod 🤙🏼

Wait does the reel come in the kit

Ive been wanting to do this i think you have convinced me sir thanks

I meant finding the spine. ¿True or false, off center spines effects the accuracy of the cast?

Where did u get your decal sticker from ???

I been watching alot of pro video d.i.y rods and they make it look so hard and pushed me away but with this show you did this was simply easy to understand and thanks... now I wanna get this same kit. With the supplys you got how many rods you think you could make before you have to resupply like the guide thread. The way I was thinking since the syringe of epoxy has 14mls you could make 7 total which is great for me.. what action you think you made and from my looking you got a medium heavy. Also could you use this kit to refit old rods by striping everything and using the rod blank with nothing then doin your own customized because my buddy gave me a 20y old eagle claw which its ok and I just got a lews from a drift store that the eva handle is alil wore out and I wanna customized it as my very own on both poles. But besides that great video and nice build and love that green thread and handle color with the black

Great job! You made that look easy lol.

I haven't ordered my soft plastics kit and yet you post a DIY Rod Vid. My wife gonna be mad I am spending $, CJ!

Maybe if you do another build go over guide spacing and load testing. When I built my first rod that’s the only thing I didn’t do it makes a difference tho. This gave me the itch to build another. Good job!

the shop where i used to work at would build rods from scratch fresh water and pricey salt water ones that would sell to another retailer for $1200 each which would then be sold for $1700 each rod, But had all roller guides and be completely custom

Also noticed you didn't use any winding checks between the handle pieces.

Would say that I'm hoping it's a little bit warmer for you up there in Tallahassee. But I know the weather down here in Central Florida is really really cold and it's supposed to get worse for the next couple of days. But do you know if he has a starter kit with other rods instead of the one in the link?

If you hold the thread slightly back of the wrap it will wrap perfect, once you get the angle.

been wanting to try it. I didn't I could do it now I think I can

Fine thread or not I would definately pack your thread tight as your wrapping to make it nice and neat.(I use a popsicle stick to smooth and pack) And cut you tag ends on the opposite side of your guide. I've had many threads come loose cutting it in the grove where you did. Love the color. Nothing beats the casting and hookset of a custom built rod. Wrap on brother!