Bamboo fly rod and SuCH..

TRIDENT II -Jigging Rod PE 4-5

2017-09-25T19:27:00.001+08:00

This is the same custom jigging blank as the earlier built Trident I but the reel seat and parts used are different.

ALPS aluminium reel seat.

Handle setting out.

ALPS - SS316 Zirconium guides

The grip outlook.

And the completed rod.

(2017-*14)

Light Jigging Rod CI4+

2017-09-25T19:08:00.000+08:00

Another light jigging rod with Shimano custom parts and SG- Ti RSOL guide.

The blank is a custom jigging blank with 3mm thick blank wall.
My 1st attempt to do a dragon scale wrap failed miserably.. It has been a few years since I last did this wrapping.

My second attempt turns out reasonably okay, I would say.

Had it epoxy and stick on the water transfer decal before another epoxy coating.

Another view of the dragon scale.

Some tips on my sleeves. Golden decorative trimming at the winding check wrapping.

SG Titanium RSOL guides

The completed rod and very well balanced.

(2017-*13)

Simply GLASS

2017-09-25T18:42:00.002+08:00

I had a request from a friend to built him a long, flexible and simple spinning rod for small fish...

I got him a 8'1" 4 section fiberglass blank for the built. It was a glass #5 fly rod blank.

Cork handle with Fuji VSS would match nicely with this blank.

Due to the soft action of this blank, I have to use the lightest guides that I could find.. none other than Titanium RSOL guides.

My signature water transfer decal

And the completed rod looks like that...

And that was what he started off with...... SQUID fishing... LOL

( 2017-*12)

United COMPOSITE USA - dhx 8-25lb

2017-09-25T18:33:00.001+08:00

Not able to post my rod building work here due to my day job commitment recently.

Started this in early May and completed July.

United Composite Blank with a mixture of my custom parts and Matagi parts.

The rod was planned as such... but some how it evolved ..

Some accessories was added and it is obvious, the rod immediately looked different.

Pipe winding check added finished off with deco wrapping in front.

An extended check for the KDPS to add more bling bling to the rod.

Top trim added to the foregrip

Titanium RSOL guides was selected for this project. This will take off a few gram off the overall weight.

MATAGI butt cap at the bottom.

( 2017 - *11 )

Bait casting Rod " XPERIMENTAL" 6-12lb

2017-06-23T19:31:00.002+08:00

Building up this rod to test out an OEM blank from China. This is a 6' blank rated at 6-12lb and have a mod-fast action.

Handle setup

Custom decal

SG- titanium SiC guides

"Xperimental 6' 6-12lb"

360* look of the rod handle

Guides up

and done..

** ( 2017 - 10) **

fisheR's Custom Jigging Blank - Trident 4-5

2017-06-05T19:44:00.000+08:00

Another personal rod...

Making myself a heavier piece for mackerel , sails and 'tong gas' on jigs. The 5 layer toray carbon X-wrap blank have a blank wall thickness of 3mm and 6'5" long. It's not a solid blank and the diameter of the butt is roughly measured 11mm.

I used a size #17 VSS fuji reelseat with EVA foregrip on the KDPS and ALPS double leg guides.

Setting up of the handle.

Water transfer rod decal

Under wrapping for the guides

Epoxy on the decal before starting off with the guides.

ALPS guides UP

I applied 3 epoxy coating on the wrapping. Light coating.

All dried up..

A full view of the completed rod.

I wanted to test this out on my next fishing trip... unfortunately, it was hijacked by my buddy who happens to drop by ... there goes my no #9

**( 2017 - 09 )**

The GREEN glass

2017-05-05T19:53:00.000+08:00

This green fiberglass rod project was 2 months behind schedule... LOL .
Not because I intentionally delay this build but I was sourcing for the green agate stripping guide.

The green acrylic insert for the fly reel seat just blend in nicely..

Setting up

Close up..

Feather inlay deco

Tip, guides and agate stripping guide

Transparent wrapping

Outcome of the feather inlay deco..

The cork grip was coated with a layer of U40 cork seal

Completed . 6'6" 3 piece 3 weight glass!!!

**(2017 - 08)**

Light JIGGING rod - CUSTOM Blank

2017-05-02T19:43:00.003+08:00

I sold my light jigging rod last year and I guess it's time to build one for my upcoming trip mid of this month.

Trying to use light components to compensate the weight of the blank which is quite heavy due to its' thick blank wall.

Carbon composite handles

I am leaving the carbon fiber as it is and not applying any epoxy onto it. Hope this will give me a better grip.

Early set up of the handle.

I am using SG Titanium RSOL guides for this rod which again, I want it to be as light as possible.

Completed the handle and guides

Overall view of the rod

I would say it's pretty much balanced up.

Tried my best and it still weighs at 141 grams.

( 2017 - #7 )

Megabass Butt extention

2017-05-02T19:22:00.002+08:00

Another butt extension project. Second megabass rod for butt extension. Don't know why but most rod of this brand comes with a heavy tips

Removal of a few pieces of cork end to ease the removal of the butt cap

Very very thin butt section. I think originally there is another joint near the reel seat.

I took quiet a long time to find a blank that fit the butt end of this rod. The cork rings are stacked and glued 1 by 1.

Shaping the cork handle to match the jointing part.

Lastly, a coat of the cork seal and finish off with the butt cap.

GLoomis IMX Refurbish - RT

2017-04-30T22:39:00.000+08:00

Another old rod for refurbishment. It's a GLoomix 2 pc light action rod and it's made in Canada. Have not see any of this here..

I have the guides removed and replace them with some newer Fuji titanium sic guides.

But first, we need to do something about the soiled cork grip. Sanding it down with grit 800 sand paper under running water.

Then dry in under the hot sun before coating it with cork seal.

Recycle Fuji SiC titanium guides from other broken rod.

Re-guide the rod and it's as good as new...

** Refurbishing and reguide **

SABRE Stroker PENN reguide

2017-04-30T19:15:00.001+08:00

It has been a long time since I last did any repairing work on any boat rods.
This old USA made rod original have steel ring guides and wore off..

All the guides removed.

New set of boat rod guides for this rod.

New guides wrapped and epoxied. As good as new...

** Refurb and repair Work **

fCJB "Prototype" with Titanium RSOL guides

2017-04-21T19:57:00.000+08:00

A couple of months back we started sourcing for some jigging blanks for local waters as there are not many choices of blanks here. Not all the blanks available here are good for jigging.

We managed to make a deal with this factory in China where they produces blanks for some big players in the region. This reputable OEM factory does have a MOQ in order for them to run production for my blanks.

After a few rounds of blanks sampling and testing, we have decided on the taper, raw material and rod finishing for the blanks.

We wanted to have slimmer blanks and thus, the blank wall have to be thick enough to take the loading and torturing of ripping shear force when the rod is loaded.

Then came the so called prototype design of the rod. Simple trigger reel seat with cork grip.

Rear view of the rear cork grip.

Setting up of the handle. Noticed the EVA butt at the end? It will be changed to a rubberized butt later on for some reason.

The requirement of guides should robust, light and rust-free.
We decided to load the rod with SG titanium RSOL guides. A compatible to Fuji Torzite and cheaper...

After assembling the handle, a coat of cork seal was applied to the cork grip.

Wrapping above the fore grip.

Hand scratch rod identity

Wrapping up the guides.

Double check before epoxy

Epoxy to guide wrappings

Cured for 24 hours before seeing the sun light...

Simple black thread wrapping over the guides

Rubberized butt fixed. The rubberized butt is much heavier the EVA butt and we needed the weight to counter balance the rod.

Balancing act. Now that is why we need to have a heavier behind.

The overall completed rod weigh in at 199 grams, but it felt light in the hand and your arms will be less fatigue when using it.

(2017 - 6 )

MHX custom built for Old School Pistol Grip handle

2017-04-17T20:44:00.000+08:00

Yet another MHX blank for this project. A 6-12lb 6'6" shorten roughly about 6" to accommodate the pistol grip to make the overall length of the rod at 6'6"

The aluminum ferrule was custom made to fit the blank and the design of the follows the standard aluminum ferrule available in the market.

The butt of the blank fitted nicely to the ferrule.

Testing fitting to the pistol grip

ALPS zirconium guides

Guide line up..

Black with metallic gold thread trimming

Wrapping at decal area

This will be another fun rod on the pistol grip....

( 2017-5 )

BLACK Charcoal - Jigging Rod

2017-03-24T00:18:00.000+08:00

(2017-4)

I was supposed to build up this sample blank for testing last year but had to postponed it so that I could clear some of the back logs orders and rod repair works.

This jigging rod will be as simple as it will get.. It will have the basic trimming and nothing more.. Minimalist...

Standard fuji trigger KDPS reel seat #20, foregrip , rear grip and the fighting butt

Jigging handle setup

One of the common problem of salt water rod is the rusting of the guides.
Of course, it may not be an instant problem but it will weaken the guide foots and who knows when it will fall apart.

I used SG Titanium RSOL guides for this rod. Titanium frame for rust free and the RSOL rings are thinner compared to normal ceramic rings. It has superior thermal conductivity and high friction toughness. All I can say is that it is comparable to Fuji Torzite but a relatively cheaper.

An under layer wrapping was done and coated with epoxy before the guides placed and wrap over it.

Static load test before epoxying the guide. Load testing on the spiral guides to check the guide tilting angle and also the guide spacing

Rod decal.

Epoxy wrapping finishes on the guides

Spiral guide placement

Rear view of the rod.

Butt section

The completed rod

And this rod weighs at 190 grm.

Cork Handle extension - EVERGREEN

2017-03-18T15:29:00.000+08:00

A heavy poundage rod with a short handle really will irk the angler when not able to control the rod when fighting a 'big' fish. Some prefer not to use it anymore and just put it aside as it is troublesome to get the butt extended.

Recently I have this butt extension project for a 8-20 pounder rod with a full cork handle. Need to extend 3 1/2".

This is the original condition and length of the rod.

One section of the cork ring have to be sacrificed in order to remove the butt cap.

After the butt cap was removed, insertion of the extended blank are done.
Then the cork rings are stacked and glued to the blank.

After 24 hours, the cork handle was lathed carefully so that the shape of the new cork handle matches the old handle. This will give a seamless joint between the old and new handle.

The holes are then patched before the handle is coated with the cork seal.
Last, to glue the butt cap back to position.

MHX Medium action spiral baitcasting rod

2017-03-03T19:34:00.001+08:00

Another full cork rear handle rod in the making. Many prefers this kinda cork handle nowadays. I don't know why... maybe it's trending now. Why not EVA? Why cork? Is it better?? For all I know, it's still a very personal preference. Some love it and some don't...

Stacked cork ready to be latch..

Testing fitting the components before putting them together.

I have to make sure that all really fits well before epoxying them together.
Normal I will do this a few times , just to be sure.

These guides are from ALPS with zirconium rings. Had no problem with them for all the rods that I have built . Spiral guide placement.

EVA fore grip with MHX decal in the front.

Another closer look at the handle.

Overall view of the handle. Very simple.

.....and finishing it off with a big M..............Matagi butt cap

North Fork Composite UL

2017-02-15T19:14:00.000+08:00

2nd built for 2017... a simple second one to get the ball rolling.
The blank is from NFC SM graded ultralight 2-6lb. K-guides partial savaged for a broken rod and a new Andrew's fishing reel seat.

Stacked and glued cork rings for rear handle.

Carefully lathed to the shape of choice

Installation of rod decal and epoxy.

Gold anodized button plate butt.

Part old part new of the K-guides

Guides lined up

Completed rod with the cork grip sealed with U40 Cork Sealer.

Twenty 17........... a slow start.

2017-02-01T17:35:00.000+08:00

I managed to complete a rod before the long break in January 2017.
This rod is to replace a broken rod of the same owner. Yup, a broken solid carbon fiber rod....

Anyway, this is newly built rod is slightly heavier in terms of line weight.. 15-30lb and 7' in length.

Another simple built with a ergonomic reel seat. AT Aero rubberized reel seat.

Fitted with a short EVA rear grip.

Fuji Alconite K guides

Short piece of foregrip in the front.

Fighting butt with ALPS butt cap

View of the butt section of the rod.

Overall view of the rod..

Hope it will last longer than the previous one.... :)

BLACKHOLE CAPECOD Special - 300th POST... 2016

2016-12-29T19:52:00.001+08:00

I guess this 'hole' made it after all...

It's another BH CapeCod Special "Slow Pitch" blank and this blank does not need any more introduction. It has been known for its' robust action and have been tested in many waters around the world.

This is a very standard built. Basically, guides , trigger reel seat and fighting butt. Anyone could have done this.

Here are the basic components.

Standard setting up for the handle

Fuji K guides on metallic silver underwrap which have been epoxied.

Finished up with the guides.

I am using a high Fuji LC guides for the last guide.

After epoxy.

Handle view from the front.

A view from the rear.

At the fore grip

And the completed rod....

Well, this WILL be the last rod for 2016....

Single hand bait casting rod - NFC+Matagi

2016-12-27T20:41:00.002+08:00

Once awhile a pretty darn great project will come by ... just like this one. Simple it may seems but it really look great and fish great as well.

A medium power North Fork Composite blank shorten 6" to 6' with a short handle for single hand casting.

Handle setting with MATAGI components.

Finishing off at the reel seat front with Fuji graphite winding check.

Purple color aluminum winding check to compliment the color of the reel seat.

Overall view of the handle.

The rod decal that have not been altered. I have actually removed the 6in from the rod before it was epoxied.

Now, if you look closely at the decal, you will see the difference. :)

I done the handle and epoxy the decal before moving to finish the guides.

Setting of guide placement.

ALPS aurora zirconium 316 stainless steel guides in place with metallic purple wrapping and silver trimming.

Guides line-up

The completed rod .

A view from the rear end.

As the handle is only 6" I have to add some weight at the butt to balance to the rod.

Another view of the completed rod handle.

I guess this would be the last rod for this year. Hope to show you guys more of the rods that I will be building next year.

Have a good year ahead ... and happy ROD building!!!!!

Jigging rod with Cork Handle

2016-12-05T19:33:00.000+08:00

Just completed this yesterday.. Nothing fancy here but just the cork grips and fighting butt. Lightly rated at PE 1-2.5

Fuji T-DPS reel seat with blue aluminum trim and cork rear grip.
Setting up the handle.

The length of the butt end section with cork fighting butt.

Cork fore grip on KDPS quick lock.

Under wrapping before putting on the guides.

Fuji LC low rider guides in black frame. My bad.. I have to re-guide this rod.

It supposedly to be a spiral wrap but I did it straight

Removed and rewrapped to spiral guide placement.

Rod decal after 2 epoxy coating.

Rear view of the rear cork grip.. :)

Bottom half..

Overall view..

United Composites USA - Ultralight

2016-11-16T10:10:00.001+08:00

This is the lightest UL rod that I have built so far, it can be lighter though. The blank itself is 44grm.

The blank: 6' with the rating of 4-10lb

Fuji skeleton reel seat with carbon tube insert, EVA grips and fighting butt.

SG- titanium guides with zirconium ring.

This bunch of guides just weigh in at 1 grm.

Handle set up.

Mirco guide system ( MGS ) layout.

The complete rod.

Rod weighting session on my digital scale and recorded weight of 95 grm.
It could still be lighter.....

Black Hole Cape Cod Special "SLOW PITCH" PE 1.5-4

2016-11-15T18:56:00.001+08:00

A Korean made PE 4.0 jigging blank from Black Hole with the length of 1.98m

ALPS titanium Zirconium ring guides.

ALPS custom painted reel seat.

Reel seat testing.

Fore and rear EVA grip.

EVA butt with aluminum trim.

Spiral placement guides with under wrapping.

Epoxy..

Double wrapping

Over view of the full handle.

Overview of the completed rod.

BARBARIAN..the solid carbon

2016-11-15T18:02:00.000+08:00

This solid carbon blank is not my cup of tea... 😃

It's a tough blank but heavy.

Building it as light as possible with ALPS skeleton reel seat for spinning setup.
Reel seat setting up

Fuji K-guides

The handle without the butt cap

Guides done.

The Killing Rod...

Missed out the photo of the butt view....

Recycling PALMS

2016-10-19T19:33:00.000+08:00

How often do you recycle parts from your broken rods? Hmmm.. Let me rephrase that question, how often do you break a rod? LOL... Some broken rods are worthy to have their components recycled and some don't. I am sure you would not want to have a custom rod done up with the USED cheap low quality components.

Normally the guides and quik-lock can be savaged easily but reel seat and butt cap are case to case basis.

These are the guides savaged from the rod. The condition is still good despite of some dirt around the rings. After some soaking and brushing, it will look like brand new... at least from afar.

All the components will be on this MHX blank.

I will try to retain its' original design as close as possible but using EVA foam handle. A new Fuji ACS reel seat with the old KDPS quik-lock from Palms.

Slight different at the butt section. I fixed a butt cap instead of the eva butt.

Putting it all together and it look something like the old design...

A new winding check in front of the fore grip.

The new decal for the new rod.

The guides up. Same number of guides used.

A full view handle of the completed rod.