As Mike Kozlowski notes, “there is more to a custom rod than pretty wraps.”
Some rods are built for a specific purpose other than what they are designed for, such as a seven and a half foot ultra light built on a three weight fly blank, or a nine foot spinning rod for salmon built on a six weight fly blank. Some prefer fishing a Tennessee handle and can't get one on a rod they like. Some desire additional guides or guides placed in non-traditional places, such as a second large guide on a salt rod placed close to the first one. A lot of bass fishermen like to feel the blank on their rod and prefer open reel seats or cutouts for a finger. It all comes down to function and taste. A fancy wooden reel seat looks really nice, and the contoured ones feel nice in the hand. Does it give you an advantage? It depends on the individual. Most will say their hand is less tired at the end of the day. Don’t get me wrong, some people do order a specific rod that they can get other places, but it doesn't come in their team colors. Sometimes fancy is just good enough.
By Michael B. Kozlowski, M&J Custom Rods in Clarks Summit, PA; mkrodder@epix.net
Mike started building rods 12 years ago, and builds fly, spinning, casting and an occasional salt rod.
