Just built a rod on that blank for chucking swimbaits and flair hawks around bridges for snook. Spiral wrapped the guides, used the american tackle CCT blade seat, and a full length 12" cross cut eva foam butt with fuji doorknob butt cap. Rod has been amazing and throws 3/4 - 3 ounce lures a country mile. Landed my first keeper snook of the season on it. 29 incher. =). amazing blank for swimbaits.
I picked up a shimano Clarus 7'3" with a heavy fast action and paired it with a Shimano calcutta 400s "non level wind" with 50lb braid. I have dragged in 20-foot-long trees floating at the dam with it while bank fishing because I like to cast into the rough stuff with it. It's my favorite large fish rod for the money.
It’s snowing today mud hole has a great selection of custom rod components for sure I also do thread weaving it’s time consuming although it’s make the best personalized gift.
You probably seen my message about the smallmouth I was catching in Oklahoma said I was catching them the fun way and that was the exact rod I was catching them on. Looking to build the next size up rod for the even bigger baits. Also I always regret not doing threadwork before I put on my grips. I have plenty of all black rods lol so when I have time I’ll marble or do some sort of design on them.
I have been building custom rods for over 20 years and have used several materials for the rod grips. I have found that the Winn grips are the least durable material I have used and no longer offer them on my custom builds.
@Michdave700 I only use superior grade cork. I glue up and turn my grips on a lathe. I have tried different material because quality cork is had to come by anymore. I have cork grips that are 15 years old and still holding up. The 4 rods I built with Winn grip only lasted 5 years before they deteriorated.
How do the threads look like they'll hold up? I'm intrigued! In addition - I'll be doing a repair video soon. I'm rusty as it's been a while, lol. I'll be interested to get your feedback!
I saw these yesterday on Mudhole looking for a spinning reel seat. Looks like they are made by American Tackle, which if so, would be a good thing. Only thing I wasn't sure of yet is matching grips for the spinning model. I can see grabbing a few of these for future builds.
Theyre not made by AT. AT had reel seats made by them but then put the AT label on them. I don't know if AT has a single American made component in their entire line up, including the seats from weihai china.
@MattStefanFishing i never tried it yet but I would love to be able to just get my hands in one of these days and do it. You should make a whole series dedicated to this like how u found the spine, how to line up where the eyes would be etc.. I think it'd be a nice rendition to the channel for sure
Looks like a nice baitcaster seat but I am not a fan of those sharp triggers. I wish they would make the point a lot more rounded and dull. As sharp as that is, if you ever fall with the rod in your hand, it could go right into your palm.
@@MattStefanFishing well, let's hope it never is a problem for you. These triggers used to be very dull but there seems to be a trend towards making them thinner and sharper.
Is building rods cheaper? Or do you like the customization and the process of building it? I love rigging and organizing my tackle just to decompress sometimes. Just wondering if it’s more economic too?
its much more economic. you can get all of the supplies and build the rod for about 50% of retail. So if you build one rod you will cover the cost of the supplies and get the rod. Every rod after that is like building your exact rod and getting it for 50% off
Ive always wanted to get into making my own rods. I make and buy lure blanks and paint alot of my own. I fish alotta Big Swimbaits. I live in NWA , North West AR. A good heavy rod gets some things done but. The Parabolics of the rod are Sooo Key. Depending on the size and Hook Style. IE Treble or Beast or Jig hook.
I think rod building sounds like an awesome winter project. Being from Florida and living by the Chesapeake Bay I have several months coming up that I won't enjoy being outside.
yeesss, swimbait rods. i used a lure sport carbon fiber seat and love it. I like the open style on yours i think ill try that on the next one. Whats the blank rated to?
I am really interested in your opinion once you use this rod. I built this rod about six months ago to throw big swim bats except of course for the new seat you’re talking about. I’m a little disappointed in how heavy it feels. Part of this could be because I’ve never thrown anything this big. I also put on a Tranx real, which may also be adding extra weight. Like I said, I’m real interested to know what you think.
I need to get into building rods this winter. It's very difficult to find a decent rod with the length and action that I want at a price I can afford. The all graphite Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore rods for $100 are pretty nice, but I think I can do better. Do you mind recommending a blank for me to start with? I want to build some 7.5' medium power fast action rods specifically for casting 1/4 oz jig heads with soft plastics with 10 lb braid. I get lost trying to read the specs and figure out what to get. That reel seat is pretty nice, I can see using them. I also need the right guides for braid. The tip guides on my Ugly Stiks get a groove cut in them from the braid after a year. So I'd rather use better guides. If you can point me to the right blank I'll start building soon.
Enjoyed watching you work, but I am too impatient. Can you save money building rods vs buying complete rods? My guess is you can on high end rods, but maybe not budget models.
For under $75, you can build a nice budget custom rod. The biggest advantage to custom-built is that you build the rod to fit you. You get the handle length you want. The rod is built on the spine, and you can balance to your preferences. Best of all is the feeling you get catching a fish on a rod that you built.
It's not about cost, it's about making a rod with specific power and action to meet specific fishing needs. Just like reloading in competitive shooting, you really don't save any money by reloading but the benefits of making a custom load are extreme
Unfortunately they're not. Gaho is simply the chinese manufacturer AT used to make them E seat (LFC) the P seat (MLC), the razor (BDC) and others. The only addition is they are doing a few fuji (because fuji doesn't actually make components) seats like the acsm, ecsm, and tcsm. All the AT seats are still available as CCT.
Just built a rod on that blank for chucking swimbaits and flair hawks around bridges for snook. Spiral wrapped the guides, used the american tackle CCT blade seat, and a full length 12" cross cut eva foam butt with fuji doorknob butt cap. Rod has been amazing and throws 3/4 - 3 ounce lures a country mile. Landed my first keeper snook of the season on it. 29 incher. =). amazing blank for swimbaits.
I can’t wait to finish mine!
I picked up a shimano Clarus 7'3" with a heavy fast action and paired it with a Shimano calcutta 400s "non level wind" with 50lb braid. I have dragged in 20-foot-long trees floating at the dam with it while bank fishing because I like to cast into the rough stuff with it. It's my favorite large fish rod for the money.
Very nice!
It’s snowing today mud hole has a great selection of custom rod components for sure I also do thread weaving it’s time consuming although it’s make the best personalized gift.
I want to learn weaving just don’t know if i have the time
You probably seen my message about the smallmouth I was catching in Oklahoma said I was catching them the fun way and that was the exact rod I was catching them on. Looking to build the next size up rod for the even bigger baits. Also I always regret not doing threadwork before I put on my grips. I have plenty of all black rods lol so when I have time I’ll marble or do some sort of design on them.
I bet that was fun! We talked about chasing Oklahoma smallies but decided to wait until Pangrac comes up north
I have been building custom rods for over 20 years and have used several materials for the rod grips. I have found that the Winn grips are the least durable material I have used and no longer offer them on my custom builds.
What’s your current choice?
@Michdave700 I only use superior grade cork. I glue up and turn my grips on a lathe. I have tried different material because quality cork is had to come by anymore. I have cork grips that are 15 years old and still holding up. The 4 rods I built with Winn grip only lasted 5 years before they deteriorated.
@@Michdave700 I would look at the RSG and FSG split grips from Mud Hole
they do wear down fast but i love the feel of them in my hands
How do the threads look like they'll hold up? I'm intrigued! In addition - I'll be doing a repair video soon. I'm rusty as it's been a while, lol. I'll be interested to get your feedback!
threads look great to me. only time will tell
I saw these yesterday on Mudhole looking for a spinning reel seat. Looks like they are made by American Tackle, which if so, would be a good thing. Only thing I wasn't sure of yet is matching grips for the spinning model. I can see grabbing a few of these for future builds.
you should
Theyre not made by AT. AT had reel seats made by them but then put the AT label on them. I don't know if AT has a single American made component in their entire line up, including the seats from weihai china.
Matt u keep impressing me with these rod builds brother! My hats definitely off to u my friend and cant wait to see the finished product 🤘🤘💯💯
You and me both!
@MattStefanFishing i never tried it yet but I would love to be able to just get my hands in one of these days and do it. You should make a whole series dedicated to this like how u found the spine, how to line up where the eyes would be etc.. I think it'd be a nice rendition to the channel for sure
tell those Bridgeford guys that their pepperoni rocks!
I WILL!
The new all carbon handles are cool too! Much lighter and more sensitive too. I built some with these, they are the clear poop!
hahaha
Great video Matt good info thanks bud 👍🏻
Thanks!
Looks like a nice baitcaster seat but I am not a fan of those sharp triggers. I wish they would make the point a lot more rounded and dull. As sharp as that is, if you ever fall with the rod in your hand, it could go right into your palm.
i dont have a problem with it
@@MattStefanFishing well, let's hope it never is a problem for you. These triggers used to be very dull but there seems to be a trend towards making them thinner and sharper.
Really nice video Matt,
Glad you enjoyed it
That's going to be a sweet rod. I'd be interested to know how you like it. You don't see many, if any swimbait rods with split grips
I even make split grips on my Muskie rods
@MattStefanFishing Yeah mine ate all split except for my jig rod a swimbait rods lol. I want to get into making my own eventually though
Looks really good, cant wait to give those a try!!!
You should!
Is building rods cheaper? Or do you like the customization and the process of building it? I love rigging and organizing my tackle just to decompress sometimes. Just wondering if it’s more economic too?
its much more economic. you can get all of the supplies and build the rod for about 50% of retail. So if you build one rod you will cover the cost of the supplies and get the rod. Every rod after that is like building your exact rod and getting it for 50% off
Ive always wanted to get into making my own rods. I make and buy lure blanks and paint alot of my own. I fish alotta Big Swimbaits. I live in NWA , North West AR. A good heavy rod gets some things done but. The Parabolics of the rod are Sooo Key. Depending on the size and Hook Style. IE Treble or Beast or Jig hook.
Go for it!
I appreciate that. Gonna have to build a rod turner. @@MattStefanFishing
I got into rod building this year because of your channel. I wish you had a mud hole code or something!
I think rod building sounds like an awesome winter project. Being from Florida and living by the Chesapeake Bay I have several months coming up that I won't enjoy being outside.
That is awesome!
you should try it!
I really like these single piece reel seats. They’re less susceptible to malfunction.
I LOVE THEM!
😮 Looks pretty Sleek ! Nice < Thats definitely a art ! Im retired maybe i need to start putz n around with rods ? Peace !
its so much easier than people think! Give it a try! Nothing more rewarding than catching a fish with a rod you built
Great video Matt,
Do you.still have to align your reel seat and guides according to the spline of the rod or is that a thing of the past?
I still do
yeesss, swimbait rods. i used a lure sport carbon fiber seat and love it. I like the open style on yours i think ill try that on the next one. Whats the blank rated to?
1 - 4 Oz. here is the link mudhole.com/products/mhx-swimbait-rod-blanks?_pos=19&_fid=284e36af5&_ss=c
I am really interested in your opinion once you use this rod. I built this rod about six months ago to throw big swim bats except of course for the new seat you’re talking about. I’m a little disappointed in how heavy it feels. Part of this could be because I’ve never thrown anything this big. I also put on a Tranx real, which may also be adding extra weight. Like I said, I’m real interested to know what you think.
I’ll let you know
I need to get into building rods this winter. It's very difficult to find a decent rod with the length and action that I want at a price I can afford. The all graphite Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore rods for $100 are pretty nice, but I think I can do better.
Do you mind recommending a blank for me to start with? I want to build some 7.5' medium power fast action rods specifically for casting 1/4 oz jig heads with soft plastics with 10 lb braid. I get lost trying to read the specs and figure out what to get.
That reel seat is pretty nice, I can see using them. I also need the right guides for braid. The tip guides on my Ugly Stiks get a groove cut in them from the braid after a year. So I'd rather use better guides.
If you can point me to the right blank I'll start building soon.
you should do it and build exactly what you want!
North fork composites has exactly what you’re looking for. They’re the only rods I build on.
@MattStefanFishing I want to. But I still need help picking out the right blank with the action I mentioned.
@us_patriot_31b great! But I still would appreciate a part number or something for the blank I need.
Hi Matt. Great looking rod. What’s the most sensitive blank that mud hole sells?
Thanks Tim
Elite-X i believe
Nicely done 👍👍👍
Thanks!
Thanks Matt
Thanks for watching!
What thread color are you thinking?
black!
Thanks for sharing
My pleasure
Do you use an insert with the gaho reel seat?
you can
What model is that seat?
Im trying to pick between the bdc and qjc. I had been using the Amtack cct Razor before they discontinued it.
QJC
There's a typo in your title - doesn't bother me in the least - just lookin' out for ya 💯
fixed! thanks!
Love the video
TThanks for watching!
Enjoyed watching you work, but I am too impatient. Can you save money building rods vs buying complete rods? My guess is you can on high end rods, but maybe not budget models.
For under $75, you can build a nice budget custom rod. The biggest advantage to custom-built is that you build the rod to fit you. You get the handle length you want. The rod is built on the spine, and you can balance to your preferences. Best of all is the feeling you get catching a fish on a rod that you built.
You can build for half the cost of buying that same rod…even on cheaper models
It's not about cost, it's about making a rod with specific power and action to meet specific fishing needs. Just like reloading in competitive shooting, you really don't save any money by reloading but the benefits of making a custom load are extreme
I will test that rod for you
Haha
Nice❤
Thanks!
The Bots are strong on this video!
deleted them already
@@MattStefanFishing Good deal! Thanks again for an awesome video. I'm gonna tell my Custom Rod builder to put this on my new tournament rods!
Oh Wow, I thought for sure you would be building a few crappie rods.... Lol...
Looking into it haha
👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!
»All black, I like that« 👌😊
Me too
🍺🤠👍.
Thanks for watching!
Just based on looks, that looks sliiiiick.
it is
Sorry Matt. I started to watch your trophy fishing vids but, I'm not a big fan of watching FFS fishing.
Then you missed out on some of my favorite vids I’ve ever made unfortunately
Don't know why people insist on making political statements when watching a fishing video ...
I couldn’t stand them either.
@@mattp7947 i know the cohost could have been better
Was your co-host your dog?@@MattStefanFishing
These are just the same as what's been offered. Just with the original manufacturers name from weihai china label instead of AT.
These are new product
Unfortunately they're not. Gaho is simply the chinese manufacturer AT used to make them E seat (LFC) the P seat (MLC), the razor (BDC) and others. The only addition is they are doing a few fuji (because fuji doesn't actually make components) seats like the acsm, ecsm, and tcsm. All the AT seats are still available as CCT.