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In-depth tutorials, expert guides, and editorial writing on the craft of custom rod building.
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8 articles
Rod Power Ratings Aren't Standardized: Medium Heavy by Maker
Medium heavy has no industry standard. Line and lure ratings, butt diameters and weights for 7-foot MH blanks from four makers, side by side.
Striped Bass Mortality 2026: Three Things the Circle Hook Rule Doesn't Cover
About 1.7 million released striped bass died in 2024. New Massachusetts research shows what decides survival, and most of it sits outside the circle hook rule.
From 1909 to 2026: The Spiral Wrap's Conventional-Only Century
Spiral wraps have been on conventional rods since a 1909 patent. Why the guides move under the blank, who uses them, and whether your next rod should get one.
How to Set Up a Rod Building Bench on a Budget: What to Buy, DIY, and Source Used
Start simple: a compact hand wrapper, a clean surface, and controlled thread tension will get most builders farther than an overbuilt bench
San Francisco Salmon 2026: Short Windows, Quota Clocks, and How to Build for This Fishery
SF salmon is back in 2026 as a quota-driven fishery: a closed zone through May 15 and windows that can shut in weeks. What that means for how you build.
Rod Building Tools and Equipment: What You Actually Need to Start
New rod builders get buried in gear lists that read like a wish catalog. Here's an honest breakdown of what you actually need on day one — and what can wait until you've built your second rod.
Rod Action vs Power Explained: How to Choose the Right Blank
Action is where a blank bends; power is how much force bends it. How the two interact, and how to pick the right blank for the fishing you do.