-"My rod looks so nice I'm afraid to fish it"

We hear this a lot. Your rod has been constructed to be fished. Fish it often and hard, just make sure you clean, rinse and dry your rod after use.

-"I can get a rod and reel combo from a Big Box store for around $40. What's the difference between your custom rods and the mass produced Big Box store rods?"

Each rod is given individual attention from start to finish. Many factors come in to play like what are you fishing for? What type line do you intend to use? What type of reel, make model? If you have the reel already could you send it to us? Where do you intend to fish? Lake, river, creek, inland, shore, bridge, dock, low overhang area, jigging, pitching, live or dead bait, trolling? Etc...  A suitable blank is sourced then upon arrival, inspected & load tested. A best axis of the rod blank is determined for your build layout. Your grips are then hand-crafted based on your needs and then they, along with the reel seat, are installed on your blank, with emphasis on even distribution and proper curing of epoxy to ensure lasting durability. The rod's guide train has been spaced on your specific blank using Static Load test. Angle of reel spool spindle and determinating the choke point factor in to the equation too. Decorative wraps and guides are finished with industry specific Epoxy Thread finish, ensuring saturation of epoxy of the threads for proper sealing to the blank. We use care and calculation along with test casts in order ensure your rod performs to its potential. Some people provide the specific reel to us which helps greatly during layouts. For Surf rods a in-person session is necessary to get your specific measurements and adjust grips to your natural hand positioning. Mass produced rods are not given this level attention, nor are the components tuned to the individual blank characteristics or fit to your specific Ergonomics.

-"So you simply copy other rod builders work or thread patterns for the decorative threadwork right?"

Yes there are patterns and Rod Recipes that are utilized by us and other builders. Having a working understanding of the different wraps allows for creativity and variations of those patterns. Inspiration for custom rods that we build is found sometimes from 'Rod Porn' pictures posted by other builders. We literally will sit and stare at a raw blank on the wrapping jig, ready to wrap,with installed grips and chosen thread colors sitting in sight, waiting for inspiration to strike. We spend more time than you'd think on this. Each rod is a clean slate, a fresh palette waiting for artistic inspiration.

-"You produce a lot of rods using blanks that are not painted. 

Un-painted rod blanks aid in sensitivity.

-"Do wood grips get slippery when they get wet?"

You'd think that but in our experience they feel a little tackier when wet. It could probably be all in our head or the dried bait and fish gut residue on our hands too? Either way, properly sealed wood lasts a long time and look really cool. Plus wood grips are easy to keep clean.

-"Some of those EVA Foam grips you craft use bright and light colors. Are they hard to keep clean?"

No. However you do need to be diligent and clean them after use. Simply clean with warm water and Dawn dish soap. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue then let dry.

-"What happens if I break a rod tip or guide?"

We provide free guide and tip repair on all custom rods built by Rod's Bent Customs. You provide the means to get the rod in our hands for the free repair, and the means to get it back home to you.

-"What happens if the rod snaps?"

Don't do that!

All kidding aside, sometimes things happen, unintended oops', a clumsy buddy closes it in a tailgate or a car door. They're called Accidents not On-Purposes. All we ask is that you be straight with us. If your kid steps on it or there was a dreaded 'ceiling fan incident', amongst the many reasons, or maybe you High-Sticked the rod, these things happen. Either way we can handle the truth. Most rod blank manufacturers warranty their product. Let's just have an honest discussion and generate a solution together.