What do you need to get started building rods? 

We used to build our own fishing rods when we were kids in Boy Scouts. My dad was our troop leader and he got us into rod building. We used to shop for blanks and supplies from the old Herters Company, and we still have all of that gear and equipment (and even some blanks). It's a fantastic hobby and there's something that's super cool about catching fish on rods you built yourself. Pretty darn cool that you are into rod building too, Matt, and that you're sharing this info with your RU-vid followers.

My wife hates when I watch videos like this - all she hears coming out of the speakers is cha-ching! 🤑

I highly recommend the Mud Hole rod building course. I've been doing high-end repairs for years. However, their course was very well presented in a great refresher. I recommend it to anyone who is wanting to learn how to get into building. There, I just got you your mhx plug. Lol!😁

Rod building is a great way to help pass the long winters. I am grateful that I took the plunge and got into it. Very rewarding hobby.

Matt thank you. You gave me the taste to build my own rods.

Great video as usual man! Ive been kicking around the idea of starting to build rods, this helps a lot. Appreciate the heck out of your content, thanks for the work getting it out.

I have started this journey thanks to you! Thanks for the recommendation and the help!

This is very encouraging and is something I always wanted to but as most, had fear. After watching this video, it definitely makes me realize that it can be fun, isn't really that difficult to do and rewarding in the end.

Building a rod is an enjoyable way to spend a cold winter night, and it really isn't that hard! Thanks Matt, this is good stuff!

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing! Definitely going to get into it once they get settled in the new place

This was a very cool and unique video. Are you going to start building rods for sale? I would appreciate a 2nd and/or 3rd part where you discuss the different components in more details. Cheers

Matt what a great video. I was in a store looking at purchasing a Rod. Looked it over and left without buying it because I wanted to build one. I had been looking through the Mud hole catalogs before and didn’t think I could do it. Well 15 rods later, I love building my rods. The feel and confidence is amazing. I don’t have a spine finder, but I just roll my rods. Built a hand wrapper and a dryer. Again great video and I enjoy looking through the catalog like the old bass pro catalogs.

I’m ridiculously interested in doing this.

Hey Mr Stefan I watched a video on how to find the splin of the rod blank that white piece of tape is a reference point I got it now and I watched more videos but once you mark the blank with the white pencil you now witch side of the blank to put the guides on . Thanks so much Matt I appreciate your help because what you said in this video is true . Every time I look at or pick up a ride there's two or three things that you don't like about the rod. So I think it's time to call mudhole soon . Thanks for this awesome video on rod building . God bless you and your family your pal fisherman Mike.

Great content as always! I really appreciate all the tips and info you provide. Unlike a lot of other channels that just try to get you to buy merch. I used to watch tactical bassin a lot but I’m tired of them showing footage of them catching big bass and then recommending $300 of equipment you need to buy in order to be like them. Don’t get me wrong I have learned a lot from them but it seems to me that understanding the patterns and locating the bass is the toughest part of fishing. While lure and rod selection is important, they are only 2 variables of many.

Great video, great information

A true master of the craft.

I have just started; It’s a slow process for me. Wish I had a guy (like Stefan) close to me in N. Tx. Mudhole vids saved me from missteps. I think this would be a fun “workshop” building rods and sharing beers with some folks. I’ll drive to you if you ever have the time. Got plenty of relatives up there I need to visit. 🎉🍻cheers

Such a great video!

Great video, keep up the good work.

I just got into building, mostly because I have this amazing Phoenix spinning rod and I wanted the same exact action in a casting rod. So I ordered a couple of the spinning blanks and built them into casters.. so happy mud hole carries Phoenix blanks..

Gary Loomis puts the guides on the inside of the U bend after locating the spline on a baitcast rod similar to how you’d do a spinning rod and he does spinning rods on the outside of the U bend. Completely opposite of what almost everyone else does. We all know Gary’s rods are some of the very best in the world. I always check the spline before buying a rod by bending it and rolling the butt on the floor. I try to find one splined like Gary’s method. He has a vid explaining how he does it differently than most other builders and why he does it that way.

Great vid! Its inspiring me to try this as a new hobby. Been fishing for 40 years and it never occurred to me to build my own rod to my specs!

I just ordered the crb starter kit last week now I have to get the blanks and components thanks for all the great content

Bridgeford pros are the most informative channels!!

Really interested in doing this while we are iced over. I am thinking about starting with a short frog rod.

Beer looks good. I build on scv exclusively but might try these mhx blanks.

Thanks for the information... I am in the process of receiving molds for jigs... just would like some more variety when it comes to weight and color.

Thanks for the info you definitely piqed my interest..

I watched a video of a factory that makes the entire rod start to finish it was really interesting.

I’ve built rods for more than 50 years. When I started I’d run the thread through a phone book to keep tension on it and turn the rod every 5 minutes for hours to dry the finish level. So except the components you can start with no equipment. Good components are expensive but so are good rods, Not really a money saver unless you are really particular about what you fish with. I am, I make lures as well and that is a money saver. I can make myself a jack hammer for about $2.25.

👍 good video

I've been kicking around the idea of building my own rods for a while now. This video finally got me off the fence. I bought pretty much all the tools I will need to get started, plus a rod kit. My biggest question is thread size for guide wraps. I bought a kit with size A thread. I'm wondering what you like for bass fishing specific rods ranging from liter duty spinning rods, medium heavy bait casters, to heavy punching rods? I'm a big fan of the channel. Keep up the good work?

And when you're my age...Bass Pro was in newsprint format LOL. I've been making my own spinnerbaits and lr jigs for over 40 years. HUGE money savings. I can build what I need and yes the satisfaction factor is awesome. Always juggled whether to build my own rods. Well it's off to mudhole.com Thanks again for sharing and hope you're catching 'em today!!!

Alright, I’m going to check out mud hole. You have my interest!

Great info. Is it harder for the different type of rod you make. For example finesse, heavy flipping rod.

Hmmm... interesting topic. One day I'd like to get into building rods.

Love the videos, even when i've built custom rods for years still nice to hear another's perspective. What's your mhx blank of choice for lippless crankbaits and what's your choice for jerkbaits?

Hey Matt. What rod guides do you prefer and how to you figure out the distance, size etc???

Hey Matt, really appreciate this video and all of your videos in general. I am interested in getting a starter kit and also getting a high end blank for mid size jigs/T rigs. any suggestions? Thanks much and always enjoy the content

I like this video, but you overlooked two important aspects of rod building even for beginners. Although you mentioned finding the spine, you said you dont have to. Then what would be the point of building a rod? You must find the spine, in order to know if you are building a spinning rod or a conventional rod. It matters regarding guide placement and eventual.fightingbaction. Secondly, you need to alter the blank for the purpuse you are building the rod. Meaning you may need to cut the blank,extend the blank or weight down the but to find the correct balance with the size and weight of the reel to be paired with that rod a d the guides to be used. That is only if you are building from scratch. Beginners need to know and do those fundamental steps to be successful

Hey Matt thanks for the great content! because of this video I want to build my own swim-bait rod. Residing in Las Vegas I have the lower Colorado river chain to catch big stripers and also large mouth out at mead.I was wondering what you would recommend for a blank for say a deps 250 or around that weight class?

great video, and info to build rods,i have been building mudhole rods for4 years, i i have not sold any, i can't sell any after making them,

Fantastic videos and info ! I'm currently gathering components for an nmb873 bait casting rod. Asking you for info on a reel seat that will allow the most sensitivity ? Want to use Winn grips. Thank you in advance !

Can you do a follow up video? I’d like to know what components do you like in your rods? Do you color code for rod actions? Do you use the same grips on all rods? Do you make the lightest rods, or is that not a factor to you? I’ve been interested in building for sometime, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I’m interested in building five rods for each of these techniques jigs, Texas rigged creature, Texas rigged worm, Tokyo rig, Carolina rig. I want to build them so I can pick them up and each one feels the same.

Yes yes yes!!!

Quick question…how do you ensure the handle you’re buying will fit the blank you want to put it on? Different rods have different diameters so how does that work when it comes to buying handles?

very nice video my question is if someone told you I want a 7'2 for swimming a 3/8 jig what would you tell them

I’ve built several rod’s years ago using cable kits. They no longer offer those and I haven’t studied what is best in class now. Just retired and want to build a 7 to 7’6” ultra light weight trout rod. We can catch thought/Dolly Varden up to 5 lbs. I prefer a fairly fast action, not a stick but pretty fast. What carbon blank do you recommend? Thank you for the video

I'm planning to start building my own rods so I've been watching videos to learn what I'm getting into. My biggest question so far is how do I pick a series of rod blank? Just from looking at the MHX line up there are a lot of options. I'm a tournament fisherman and usually purchase higher end rods but not top end. If you have any insight I'd love to hear it! Thanks for doing all your videos, they are enjoyable and helpful!

If you build 1 top tier rod with kr concept kit pays for itself first time.

i put an eyelet on a rod now im starting to want to build a rod from start to finish, i had a place called roys bait shop down in corpus christi and they had a section for building rods, moved away though.

How do you learn about the various guides and what’s for the right situation?

Salt inshore fisherman here. I enjoy your videos. Was going to buy a high end custom fishing rod until I saw your rod building video. My retail price point is usually $100. Most of my spinning rods are medium power 7’ fast action. Would like to upgrade my Blank for more sensitivity and build a medium power 7’ fast action spinning rod for comparison against Box Store rods. What would you suggest as best value blank to blow my socks off? Have you done a video on how to throw a bait caster? For the life of me I can’t throw one but would love to add to my arsenal. I’d be willing to spend money on the expensive one’s if I thought I could ultimately cast with it consistently.

Good evening mate. I'm a new builder I've always wanted to make my own for a while now I'm just wondering I'm looking for a blank that has a 2 piece 3lb 48onz 10ft but very forgiving at the tip section as a start and then look to build my own sea rod in the very near future is there anything you could please take me to correct direction please Top video Thankyou keep up the good work

Good day everyone, can someone tell me a good place i can purchase long rod blanks 10ft-14ft for crappie fishing? Thanks!

Think u could give a 100% definite list of the tools that are needed? I looked on that site and saw the kit they have and seems like I'd be better off buying the necessary items separately. Seemed like it was not a lot or all the things needed foe the amount of money they were wanting for it all. Thanks. And thanks for the video. I can't wait to get started. Juat sont want yo jump yhe gun and end up wasting money or with things I really didn't need.

Building rods is not an easy feat. There's a lot that goes into it. I must say that as a fisherman, you need to learn how to wrap guides for fixing guides, rod handles, and tip repair. I must add that there's the proper way like with this video and there's the ghetto way, which I do. The ghetto way is done with 5 minute expoxy....bc this is quick and it doesn't require a turner. Regular epoxy takes days to dry and multiple coats. I don't have a need to build a rod, I just buy and repair. I find certain companies are very good at building rods. Some, not so good, esp. in certain areas. The main thing about rod building is you get exactly what you want given you understand everything. What am I saying? Well, I still don't understand why Mud Hole still put metallic guides on rods with their great reputation. Metallic guides get cut into by every line. That's why you have to have proper understanding before approaching it. Anyways, don't understand why people and company still build micro guides on rods either. Roland Martin would tell you the same thing. He said it's bc you cannot shoot the braid-to-fluro knot out the guides. Me? It's bc you can't cast far on micro guides and you will get serious backlash. Anyways, I had to strip out all the guides on my new Johnny Morris Platinum, put some Elite CRB guides. The funny thing is people use a tool to finish off a wrap. I could never understand how to do it. I've always used a dap of super glue. The epoxy is what's holding the guides together, not so much the thread. One other thing is guides are never aligned straight bc of the difference in built so we just have to eyeball everything. Sucks. I think St. Croix may use lasers to set up their rods. I have swapped out Toad Fish K guides on a vintage brown rod I found and it performs flawless now. Why? BC it looks extremely cool to marry new tecnology with old tecnology. The old tech of the blank is awesome for bottom fishing and the new tech of the guides performs better. Now I have castibility on a short old rod that some grandpa used to use.

Question, do only build one piece or do you also build two piece rods? And are two piece harder to assemble.

Hi Matt. I’ve got a rod that I like using but I absolutely hate the color. Is there a way to change the color that will look nice when done.

Is it more effective to buy kit or piece together with better components i.e. stand, glue, drier. Just want to be cost effective.

I would love to build me a skipping rod ….what blank do you recommend?🤔

Do you have an MHX blank you would recommend for a wacky senko?

Damn that Hoodia is fire,who makes that hoodie

Can we every get a complete start to finish rod build ?

Been building rods for close to 3 years now. What are your go-to guides for your rods?

Good Info. Great hardwater hobby if a guy doesn't ice fish. Memory says Kyle Welcher builds his own rods as well. Just out of curiosity, how many national level pros build their own rods?

Awesome video! Thanks for the info. Hit me up next time you come to Fork and I’ll let you stay at my rental house for free. Covered slip and lift for you too :)

I cannot justify the expense vs buying a rod. My time is valuable, plus the cost of materials and equipment.

IF you are in it for the long haul, building your own rods will be very beneficial in terms of knowledge of what "power" and "action" refer to and what power and action you need to fish specific techniques. It is cheaper to make your own individual rods in the long run BUT you will become addicted and build way more rods than you need. If you are in a bass club or have a bunch of fishing buddies you will be able to make a rod, decide whether or not you like it, and sell it for what you made it for pretty easily. Selling rods for a profit IMO is not worth the trouble because you have to deal with people breaking them and wanting warranty service like they get from a commercial rod building company. I sell rods with a "F-you" warranty; you break it you return it to the manufacturer for a new blank, you buy a new grip and seat, you remove the guides from your broken rod, you pay me for whatever my time is worth, I build it on my schedule not yours.

Matt could I buy a rod?

…never mind

This guy loves to talk.