How I pass the time when it is too cold to be outside detailing .....

[Joe in PA]

When the temps dip down into the teens here in southcentral PA, you can usually find me holed up in my basement workshop turning out custom fishing rods and baits for chasing smallmouth bass. There are a lot of similarities for me between detailing vehicles and custom rod/bait making. Both are something just about anyone can do with a little time & practice. Yet to do either well, takes a lot of time and dedication to not only learn the various techniques but to master them as well. The more attention one pays to details in either endeavor, the nicer the final product will turn out. :xyxthumbs:

It sure helps pass the time until warmer temps arrive.

 

[dougaross]

When the temps dip down into the teens here in southcentral PA, you can usually find me holed up in my basement workshop turning out custom fishing rods and baits for chasing smallmouth bass. There are a lot of similarities for me between detailing vehicles and custom rod/bait making. Both are something just about anyone can do with a little time & practice. Yet to do either well, takes a lot of time and dedication to not only learn the various techniques but to master them as well. The more attention one pays to details in either endeavor, the nicer the final product will turn out. :xyxthumbs:

It sure helps pass the time until warmer temps arrive.

Looks like a good opportunity to spend money on something other than detailing supplies. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Flash Gordon]

Beautiful work. Your very talented :applause:

 

[zliegen]

Those look awesome! How much do you charge for one of your basic rods?

 

[purgeofdarkness]

Wheres the forum for that kind of work? Making a custom rod sound like alot of fun.

 

[IID]

Very cool Joe.

Have you ever thought about going nation wide marketing your products? You should!

Makes me wish the weather was permitting to cast a few throws in the river for some steelies:hungry:

 

[marshal]

What a fantasy! That is great! How have you decided to create such things? Great! I am full of impression!

 

[WestEnd]

Joe, incredible work, what an artist!!

I wish I had known, I struggled for my Dad's Christmas gift this year, that would have been perfect. I like the arrowhead/deer and bass artwork. Very nice touches.

 

[Joe in PA]

The kudos are much appreciated folks. Much like my detailing skills, there are many other rod builders who's work I find very humbling. I've been doing this since I was in high school some 30+ years ago. I put myself through college & grad school selling custom made fly rods to folks who had much more disposable income than I ever will. At that time, I told myself once I had a career, I'd only do it for fun, as turning a passion/hobby into a job took a lot of the fun out of it for me. I build custom rods and baits much for the same reason I detail my vehicles; I do these things to relax and avoid stress. So far, I've been able to keep that promise to myself and only build today for myself, family and a couple of very close friends.

There are a few really good forums out there for those who might like to get into rod building. Be forewarned that the information available on such sites can be a bit overwhelming at first. There is a lingo associated with the craft that takes time to understand and things can be as simple or as complicated as one wants to make it. Don't let information overload scare you away from the craft.

Anyone who might be interested in purchasing a custom rod can click on the 2nd link below, register for the forum and talk to a guy named Duane. DR and I go back a number of years and IMHO he makes some of the finest custom made rods at fairly reasonable prices. I don't frequent DR's fishing site any more but tell him the crazy Jeep owner Joe sent ya! He is also very willing to help folks new to the craft and will shorten your learning curve. :xyxthumbs:

Rodbuilding.org :: rodboard

DR's Fishing Site - Home

 

[Dusty Bottoms]

That is beautiful work! I'm just getting started on rod building myself. Your wraps and handles are just awesome. How do you like those Fuji Alconite guides?

 

[Joe in PA]

In my opinion, the alconites are a great compromise between weight and cost. There are lighter guides available which can cost a lot more. There are cheaper guides too that tend to weigh a bit more. For me, the alconites sit right in the sweet spot and are what I put on nearly all my personal rods today.

 

[tuscarora dave]

You are a true craftsman Joe. Thanks for posting this. I thoroughly enjoyed looking through these photos. I have an interest in bass fishing and just love being on the river. I would love to try one of your rigs someday. If you ever need company for some local bass fishing please give me a shout.

 

[Joe in PA]

You got it Dave! Right now my river jetboat is out of commission due to a cracked hull (the Susqy takes no prisoners) but come spring I should be good to go again.

 

[tuscarora dave]

Thanks Joe, I used to fish with a fellow named J. Barns out of the Highspire boating club, he would race up through all the eel beds on the Susquehanna like they weren't even there. I could see the rock ledges just inches under the boat and would cringe the whole way. I'd have a look on my face like this the whole way to where he would take us with his jet boat. I think he knew that river better than the fish did. Between the two of us it wasn't unusual to catch 50 to 100 bass in a day.

 

[Joe in PA]

Those were the good old days my friend and the river is but a shadow of its former glory today. So much so that the PFBC has placed the lower river under a year round C&R reg for the foreseeable future. The smallies are far and few between right now but the majority left are some real pigs!

 

[Laura]

There are a few really good forums out there for those who might like to get into ..... Be forewarned that the information available on such sites can be a bit overwhelming at first. There is a lingo associated with the craft that takes time to understand and things can be as simple or as complicated as one wants to make it. Don't let information overload scare you away from the craft.

Sounds a lot like auto detailing to me.....:dblthumb2:

 

[Joe in PA]

Sounds a lot like auto detailing to me.....:dblthumb2:

Indeed it does and there are a lot of similarities. Most folks who know how much time I put into my rods and baits think I am crazy considering you can buy these things at a tackle shop for a lot less. Sort of like those who wonder why I'd spend so much time on my vehicles when you can run em through the local car wash for $8 or $10. What they fail to understand is the relative peace I find while doing either. For me there is no greater joy than that which comes from a job done to the best of my abilities. :xyxthumbs: