What is a custom rod?

• A custom rod is one that is assembled by a rod maker, typically one at a time, independent of the rod blank manufacturer.
• These rods are not typically available at a fishing tackle store or fly shop but directly from the rod maker.
• These rods are made with more attention to detail, they take more time to make, and they often feature more beauty and decorative detail.
• Anglers choose custom rods to meet their personal preferences whether that’s unique colors or designs, technical modifications, or specific materials desired.
• There are countless options for each category of rod components (reel seat, guides, rod blank, handle, and thread) that allow the builder to never build the same rod twice.

Why buy/own a custom rod?

• Uniqueness, many production rods look similar and lack the draw of attention or envy that a custom rod can posses. If your car or wristwatch are noteworthy and if you want the best equipment on the water then go custom.
• Fine tuned performance is often perception of the user. Slight modifications may aid in an anglers style of casting. Specific length fighting butt or an over-sized stripping guides are examples of enhanced performance features.
• A truly extraordinary and special gift when given to someone else or handed down to the next generation. Whomever receives a custom rod, especially with there name on it, understands that it took more that just a trip to the sporting goods store to procure it.

The Components

Cork Handles & Butts

• Assembled and shaped in our shop into one of many forms, full wells, half wells (western), reverse western, fish tail, cigar, or many others
• Sized to fit your hand, adjustments (smaller) can be made shortly after purchase at no additional cost
• Handle materials include two grades of Portuguese white cork, burl and burnt cork, rubberized cork, native wood, EVA pieces, full synthetic, or a combination of these
• Fighting butts can be made from any of the materials above and of any size or shape. Our favorite is the fighting button on 4, 5, 6, and 7 weights!

Thread Color & Type

• Nylon thread brands Gudebrod, Fuji, and silk thread brand Pearsall’s
• Over 80 colors in Nylon, NCP Nylon, Metallic, and silk
• Thread designs include simple inlays, trim bands, diamond wraps, and weaves (All found in our Gallery)

Reel Seat

• Up-locking, Down-locking, thread lock, and slide ring
• All metal, cork, native wood, acrylic, or bamboo inserts
• Metal finishes include nickel, black nickel, champagne, bronze, and anodized aluminum
• Our latest feature is the engraved native wood inserts (Roble, Alerce, Espino, Avellano)
• Fuji graphite SKM Series reel seats, skeleton model takes a custom insert

Guides

• Hopkins & Holloway stripping guides
• Fuji titaniun/SiC New Concept stripping guides
• Joe Arguello Agate stripping guides (various color stones)
• Chrome or TiCH snake guides
• Fuji K-Series and New Concept spinning guides

Graphite or Glass blanks

• Fast action graphite fly rod blanks
• Traditional fiberglass fly rod blanks
• Light, medium, and heavy action graphite spinning blanks.
• List of available rod blanks

Frequently Asked Questions (updating 7/12/2016)

What kind of repairs can Rodmakers of Chile do?

Do custom rods have the same warranty as factory rods?

What if I break my custom rod? We can do any repair in our Santiago shop except for a graphite/glass rod blank fracture or break. We can rebuild or repair reel seats, guides, handles, and thread wraps. If you’re rod does experience a blank fracture or break, we will assist by shipping the rod back to the manufacturer for warranty replacement. Then, we’ll use our freight forwarder in Miami to get your rod back to our Santiago shop for the rebuild of the replaced section. (Warrant policy and information)

What’s so special about a custom rod? First, is the uniqueness and beauty. Each is a sculpted, brushed, hand-crafted work of art made to your specifications. There will be no other like it. Second, long lasting performance. Our rods experience fewer failures just because they are built better and with better materials. Third, Whether it’s made with native Chilean wood or is inscribed with a name on it, our fine crafted rods hold greater meaning when handed down a generation or given as gift.

What brands of graphite or glass can I have built custom? We have an excellent bundle of brands that we’ve hand selected to meet all needs, but if you desire something else then we will seek out that blank and make your vision a reality. Here is a list of our rod blanks available.

Is a custom rod better than factory built rod? Yes! Would you believe customers send us new rods for us to make improvements on? As a rod repair shop, we see failures in all price levels of rods- Yes, even the big name brands. Craftsmanship and personalization is what you’ll get 100% from our custom rods. To make this point clearer, check out the Pro’s and Con’s below!

Is a custom rod more or less expensive than the factory version? It depends… We gather the best components to build greatest fishing rods around. Sometimes that process involves using componentes that we have ready to go and other times we have to make things special for a specific rod. Also, the price which we’re able to procure rod blanks and import them into Chile plays a big part of the overall cost of a custom rod, but not all custom rod follow the same

Benefits (Pros) of a Custom Rods

• Better cork life due to cork quality, cork seal (optional) and no filler used
• Beter fit in the hand because of 1) number of shape options, and 2) tailored for your hand
• More dependable; less failures due to shortcuts in craftsmanship
• Faster turnaround for small repairs
• Personalized and unique which removes all confusion when fishing in a group with similar rods
• Design specifications per your preference (fishing style) for performance and functionality.
• In some cases, the construction of a custom rod is the same or slightly less than the same production rod.
• You can chat with the person who made your rod before or after its creation to give input or feedback.

Draws (Cons) of a Custom Rod

• Graphite failures (fractures or breaks) have two stops to make before returning home, one to the manufacturer and one to our shop for the rebuild of that section. No worries, we work to make this process go smoothly. (Warrant policy and information)