I just finished a rod that is a gift to my father in law and I actually dont want to give it him now. I purchased a blank from Mudhole, one of their oem 6'6" med lite when it was on sale just because it was " on sale for 25.00". I didn't know what to expect but FIL is just a recreational fisherman. After completing this build I decided I am going to pick up a couple more, (when they go on sale again)

I agree those Mudhole OEM blanks make a very nice rod for the money. I bought 10 of them when they were 50% off. Everyone of them went very quickly, and the people that got them love them. Soft tip which casts very nicely but with good strength in the lower half of the blank. I’ll buy more.
Norm

From possibly another perspective, I put quite a bit of time, effort and love into every rod I build. When that rod leaves my shop in the hands of its new owner, a little bit of me goes with it. While certainly not as dramatic as one’s kid growing up and moving out of the house, it is similar but to a lesser degree.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Absolutely. I built one for my late FIL as well. When he passed,I was offered the rod. I said it belonged with his son,not me. His son wept at my passing to it's rightful heir. That was 18 years ago now. His son still routinely fishes it and thinks of his father every time. And even of me despite my divorcing his step-sister. That was a special rod in so many ways.
As has been mentioned, a piece of me goes into every rod I build. When they are picked up, and I see the customers face light up,I know it could never have been mine to begin with.

Touché, Chuck

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Mark Talmo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> From possibly another perspective, I put quite a
> bit of time, effort and love into every rod I
> build. When that rod leaves my shop in the hands
> of its new owner, a little bit of me goes with it.
> While certainly not as dramatic as one’s kid
> growing up and moving out of the house, it is
> similar but to a lesser degree.

I totally agree, and use the “kid going to college” analogy every time I drop a rod off to a customer. I always ask to please send a pic of the first fish that’s caught, and always feel like a proud father when they do....I’ve got issues for sure...lol

Ken,
Good, wholesome issues to have!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Yup. I hold my breath before every reveal. Nothing beats the look on their face when you've met or exceeded expectations. No matter how special the build I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything.

Does it get any more custom than building a rod by oneself for oneself?

Ben,
The rods I build for others are always more intricate/involved than what I produce for myself. They deserve it! When building for myself, I simply need the guides, grips and seat to stay put!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Gee Mark, if that,s what you build for your self you must not be having much fun..lol..most customers are looking for bling because bling means it,s custom and they want to show the world they use custom rods..performance is next if it is even considered..i,m not buying it for one second..you have a tinkerers heart..i bet rods you build for yourself are quite involved and unique mainly to see if an idea will work..your not just going to buy someone elses ideas..

Mark, a little birdy named CARL gave you away..lol.

I hate giving the babies away let alone the fact that I have SUCH insane "OCD" that I make 2 rods, no matter what style or pattern or color and if they only buy one rod, I kind of cringe!

What is REALLY awesome though is when I go to the beach fishing and I see one of my rods, in action. All the beach rods I make are Yellow so its easy to spot them!

Tony Boschi
Banana River Rods
Merritt Island, Florida
321~525~1063

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