Mastering Rod Building

Bill Falconer

Discover the art and craft of rod building with host Bill Falconer. Get insider tips from experienced rod builders, industry insiders, and experienced anglers on building custom fishing rods with the latest trends. Learn how to match technique-specific fishing rods with different fishing conditions and how to maintain and repair them.

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88 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes88

Newest first

Aug 22, 2023 · 1 hr 31 min
The Ultimate Guide to Slow Pitch Jigging Rods with Rob Jenkins, The Secret Squirrel
Welcome to Mastering Rod Building , the show that delves into the world of fishing gear and techniques. Today, we're diving deep into the realm of slow pitch jigging rods with the expert rod builder, Rob Jenkins. Exploring the significance of having a dedicated rod for slow pitch jigging. Rob Jenkins sheds light on the nuances and benefits of using a specialized rod for this technique. Segment 2: Elements of a Good Slow Pitch Jigging Rod Unpacking the key features that define a high-quality slow pitch jigging rod. Rob shares his insights on rod length, power, and action, helping listeners understand what to prioritize. Segment 3: Spinning vs Casting: Which Suits Slow Pitch Jigging Better? The age-old debate of spinning vs casting reels for slow pitch jigging. Rob Jenkins provides his perspective on whether there's a clear winner in this debate. Segment 4: Choosing the Right Rod Length for Slow Pitch Jigging Exploring the ideal rod length for successful slow pitch jigging. Rob Jenkins breaks down the factors that influence this decision. Segment 5: Navigating Slow Pitch Jigging Rod Action Understanding the concept of rod action in slow pitch jigging. Rob explains his rule of thumb for selecting the right action and when deviations might be necessary. Segment 6: Ideal Power Rod for Slow Pitch Jigging Demystifying the concept of rod power in the context of slow pitch jigging. Rob shares his expertise on selecting the perfect power rod for this technique. Segment 7: Building Your Own Slow Pitch Jigging Rod The allure of custom-building your own slow pitch jigging rod. Rob discusses the advantages of tailoring rod elements for specific fishing conditions. Segment 8: Crafting the Perfect Slow Pitch Jigging Rod Delving into slow pitch jigging rod blanks and the role of taper. Rob Jenkins offers insights into the thought process behind selecting rod guides and guide trains. Segment 9: Navigating Slow Pitch Jigging Rod Handles and Grips Exploring the design choices for rod handles and grips in slow pitch jigging. Rob shares his preferences for materials and styles that enhance the fishing experience. Segment 10: Decoding Slow Pitch Jigging Rod Reel Seats Understanding reel seat options for slow pitch jigging rods. Rob Jenkins discusses his preferred choices and the reasoning behind them. Segment 11: Top Picks: Buying the Best Slow Pitch Jigging Rods For those who prefer buying over building, Rob recommends top slow pitch jigging rod models. A comprehensive rundown of spinning and casting rod options for all budget ranges. Segment 12: Exploring Additional Applications Considering the versatility of slow pitch jigging rods beyond their primary use. Rob Jenkins discusses other fishing techniques where a slow pitch jigging rod can excel. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Aug 9, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Rod Building At Its Best: G. Loomis Fishing Rod
On this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer is interviewing Landon Myers representing G Loomis today. Landon joined G Loomis from the Space Dynamics Lab in March of 2020. As a design engineer, he has since been promoted to a design engineer specialist. He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Utah State. And he also has a an Outdoor Industry Association sustainable product design and supply chain certificate. Bill and Landon discuss that G Loomis had a big a big win in the Best of Show category at iCast 2023 for a brand new rod using some new proprietary technology. They go in depth about what makes G Loomis rods stand out in the fishing rod industry and why G Loomis uses Fuji components. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Aug 3, 2023 · 22 min
FUJI Product Spotlight with Aaron Lowe
In this episode, Bill Falconer welcomes Aaron Lowe, Director of Sales at Angler's Resource, to discuss the new UltraPoly Thread from Fuji. Aaron highlights the lack of a high-quality thread option since Gudebrod Thread Company went out of business and the benefits of Fuji UltraPoly, such as its consistent diameter, excellent lay, and wide range of colors. Fuji has almost doubled its color count from 24 to 44, providing more options for rod builders. The transcript emphasizes the consistency and strength of UltraPoly thread, making it a reliable choice for rod wrapping. They also cover the launch of 24 new colors in the UltraPoly and NCP threads, including greens, purples, yellows, browns, tans, and a new Carolina blue. These colors will be available in different spool sizes, with some lighter colors exclusive to NCP to ensure visibility on darker blanks. Additionally, there are six limited edition Prisma Colors, chameleon-style threads that change colors when viewed from different angles. Bill Falconer explains the difference between UltraPoly and NCP threads, highlighting the usefulness of NCP for maintaining light colors on dark blanks. Aaron drops some inside info on plans for more new colors in the future based on customer suggestions, with the goal of providing a wide selection to meet the needs of rod builders. Check out this fun and information-packed episode showcasing the excitement surrounding the Fuji UltraPoly Thread and its versatility for beginner to professional custom rod builders. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Jul 19, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Fishing Rod Grips, Handles and Their Ergonomics with Tom Kirkman
On the Mastering Rod Building podcast, host Bill Falconer welcomes Tom Kirkman, Editor of RodMaker Magazine, to discuss custom fishing rod handles and grips. Tom shares his story of getting into the rod-building world and the magazine he founded. He explains the difference between grips and handles and the various types available, including full grips, split grips, pistol grips, and more. Tom and Bill then dive deeper into the details of the materials available, including cork, EVA foam, rubber, hypalon, and carbon fiber, and more. The distinction between them is discussed in addition to the factors to consider when choosing a grip/handle, such as texture, shape, durability, sensitivity, ergonomics, and personal preference. Check out the 2023 International Custom Rod Building Exposition here >>> icrbe.com Buy Fishing Rod Ergonomics by Tom Kirkman >>> Pick up a subscription to Rodmaker Magazine >>> Thanks for listening to the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, the best and most professional podcast full of experienced and elite craftsman advice you need to make an informed choice when selecting a grip or handle for your next custom fishing rod build or purchase. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Jul 11, 2023 · 45 min
The Ultimate Guide To Power Fishing and Frogging Rods
With Elite Series Pro Kyle Welcher
Jun 15, 2023 · 53 min
Crafting The Ultimate Jerkbait Rod With Elite Series Pro Bernie Schultz
In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, we discussed building the best jerkbait fishing rods with someone who knows jerkbait rods, Elite Series Pro Bernie Schultz. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Jun 15, 2023 · 42 min
New Guide Concept Evolves with Lower Priced Options
In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, we discussed the KR Concept Fishing Guides, the evolution of modern guides, and what sets them apart from the competition. We discussed the groundbreaking New Guide Concept (NGC), which proved that guide trains could be constructed from smaller, lighter guides that resulted in better rod performance, leading to the KR Concept. We discussed the importance of guide height, the need for guide redesign to maximize performance, and the differences between the Fuel KR Series of guides and the rest of the competition. We discussed the importance of using Fuji guides to get the optimal performance advantages of the KR Concept and the new availability of KR Guides in the Concept O Rings, which offers an attractive price point while still delivering all the advanced technology of the KR Concept. Finally, we provided a link to our website, which contains more information about the KR Concept for anyone interested in learning more. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.
Jun 15, 2023 · 54 min
How to Make a Fishing Rod Step 1: Determining the Type Of Rod You Want to Build
Welcome to Mastering Rod Building with Bill Falconer. This the show for learning how to build the perfect custom fishing rod. Our guest today is Bob McKamey, a seasoned pro for building fishing rods with almost 50 years of experience. Today’s discussion will cover the fundamentals of how to build a fishing rod. First, we will explore why someone should take the initiative and build their own fishing rod. Then, we will cover the equipment and materials needed to get started and how to pick between purpose-built rods and multiple-purpose rods. Lastly, we will examine the pros and cons of purchasing a kit versus buying each piece individually and answer which option would be better for beginners. Whether you are an experienced rod builder or brand new to the hobby, tune into this show to learn how to build your dream custom fishing rod. Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.