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Hypothetically, if one wanted to learn how to get started on building their own lures and plugs, how would they get the stuff and make the lures? I've got a metal lathe that should also work for wood - that seems to be the important thing. Basically just wondering where to begin - I want to keep it small at first, upscale if I like it. Any books/videos/other informational outlets you would recommend? Thanks! Patrick

Started on this build today. Blank is a 9’ fsc Raptor 3/4-4oz. Dunno if I want to keep it nice and light or make it fancy. KR concept with titanium torzite single foot laid out for my vs150 will be used. 20-10-7M-6L, kt6 to the tip is what I’m using for the Layout.

Hey everyone, I'm a young angler and been fishing since I was 5 years old. Now that i'm 19 going on 20, i've experience a pretty good variety of fishing in the northeast and down in Florida and have recently fell in love with surf fishing and the gear that needs to be used with it. I liked the challenge of landing large fish from land. I gave me a sense of accomplishment that I am sure many others also share. Besides all that, I want to hear about what everyone else is using and their experiences with the setup they use either their home waters or specifically the Cape Cod Canal. I fish my home waters in New Jersey so the equipment difference is going to be drastically different which is something I was expecting. I am currently using an ODM 9ft 0.5 oz to 3.5 oz paired with a Van Stall VSX150 bailess and is doing wonders for me in New Jersey and is going to probably be my setup for Florida when i take trips down there (might be saving up for a surf setup for florida with the same rod). I am currently looking for a blank that would be around 10ft-11ft suitable for throwing larger plugs, eels, jigs and possibly able to handle the canal. I know trying to make a setup for things back home and it to be usable for the canal is not an easy task and would be seen as being very unreasonable but in a sense I like my rods to be versatile so I can be prepared to fish anywhere up and down the coast. In detail, something that is 10ft-11ft that can handle 2-10 oz would be preferable (I fish with guys that use rods 2-6oz and would like to be in that spectrum). I've been researching blanks from Black Hole, Lamiglas, ODM, and blanks from RH Customs rods which is a builder I may be working with. I would like to use Fuji K guides on the blank in a 8 guide setup similar to my ODM (haven't decided on which guides yet), a low profile reel seat that would fit another vs or maybe the new BG MQ (might get a larger VS that the build will be based off on but will use a higher gear ratio reel for canal). and a grip that isnt too thick. I like my rods to have the smallest profile possible and keep it as light as possible without sacrificing power. All I am really interested in is people's experience with fishing the canal, experiences fishing their favorite custom builds, experiences with rod building, and anything you would like to share that relates to the topic. I am young and I love to learn from people and their idea and perspectives in the sport. Fishing and the equipment involved in the fish they intend to target is something I love to discuss. Feel free to give me your two cent and share your experiences with me and maybe others could learn as well. Thank you!

Hi all. I am planning on finally building my first rod and had some questions about the rod blank as well as the grip. It is a MHX L904-2 blank and I want to pair it with a Winn Grip. I have a few friends to help me build it and that have built a lot of rods but not any for saltwater. I am looking to keep the price of this build under $150 (not sure how realistic this is) and plan to use it for light surf casting as well as a general spinning applications on my family's small fishing boat- targeting mostly stripers & blues. I plan to pair it with a Penn Spinnfisher V 4500 and 20lb braid. Will this all pair well together? There is not a lot of information on the internet about my specific MHX blank or the grip, I am curious to see if anyone knows about either of these or has any suggestions, comments, ideas, warnings they would be willing to share with me. Thanks a lot!!

Looking to buy my first rod lathe, learning from a local master rod builder who recommended renzetti. He's an old school guy and is unfamiliar with the new models. Ill be building surf fishing rods as well as offshore big game rods, maybe a freshwater/inshore rod every now and then. Renzetti has 2 models as of now, the basic model and the craftsman model, anyone have experience with either and could tell me if the craftsman is worth the extra $90 would be greatly appreciated.