Rod cost?

[Ol Pedro]

I agree that a lot of factory rods that are made Offshore are crap . Due to price fixing a lot of people are paying twice what the rods (and some reels) are worth. Big names , bells , and whistles sell product . I feel that a rod fitted to your needs from a good shop that you can go in and bend a few blanks and have plenty of options is better than most factory rods . I would rather have a rod that lasts for years than follow a fad. When the time comes for a rewrap or repair I like the fact that I can go back to the shop and they will take care of it . Kevin has taken care of my rods even though it was my fault and not a defect .

[rvr2c]

I have a Bogan Rod 4-5 yrs old that has an Avet LX mounted on it for trolling tuna, You can't beat a custom rod, looking forward for another at the Somerset show.

[june181901]

I have 2 rods built by a "K.B." that some of us know about. Couldn't ask for any thing better. Worth every cent I paid and I really don't know him so I am not endorsing a friend.
I also have an outstanding rod from a guy on Long Island who makes them under the name of Capt. N.F. Unbelievably sensitive and I get about every fluke who sniffs at my baits or jigs.

IF you can afford the higher price AND you fish more than the occasional weekend you owe it to yourself to try a custom made rod as I have found there is a profound difference.

Feel free to PM me if you need help deciphering the identities of either craftsman.

[frugalfisherman]

Now let's get down to the nitti gritti. If the custom rod snaps when you are for example trying to break loose from being stuck on the bottom what is the warranty?

[Kevin Bogan]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

Now let's get down to the nitti gritti. If the custom rod snaps when you are for example trying to break loose from being stuck on the bottom what is the warranty?

Frugal, great question. Most rods that I build for inshore fisheries average about $150-200. They usually have very basic wraps to help keep the cost down, but nothing is sacrificed with the quality of the components. in fact the rod should last about 20 years or more.
Here is a fact, fishing rods do break at times, for whatever reason. My warranty on all rods, at any price is this. If the rod snaps in half, I will replace it for one third the cost. You can buy a killer Fluke, Striper or Blackfish rod, A FISH POISON for $149, with your name and a fish decal of your choice. If it breaks, I'll replace it for $50 cant beat that
Curious what the warranty is on rods that cost $250-400? If the salesperson might suggest that "it was your fault", well then, you don't have a good warranty.
another fact, breakage is RARE with a Fish Poison rod.

[frugalfisherman]

OK Kevin. That is a good warranty. Even though some storeboughts are garenteed against breakage by the time you pay to ship them back and forth it is hardly worth it.

[Garone Custom Rods]

As far as warrantees go I guarantee my rods against workmanship defects. If a rod breaks after the first time out ( if it breaks on the first fish that is a different story) and the customer would like to have a replacement made I will salvage the components I can from broken rod and wrap the replacement for at the same rate as a new rod minus the cost of the reused components. If the blank manufacturer warrantees the blank the cost of the blank is also subtracted from the build cost. The fact is that as a single man operation I cannot afford to wrap replacement rods for nothing especially when I have 10-30 hours in a rod. I would go out of business in no time. Personally I believe these no questions asked warrantees have and still are destroying the industry. I work at an outdoor store part time and see guys come in with rods that are broken and when you hear what you were doing that broke it you want to slap them. It's like taking a Honda Civic offroading and then doing to the dealer expecting a new car when the suspension is destroyed. I have also heard some a$$holes even say I wanted a new one so I broke it and sent it back to so and so and they sent me the new model for a few $ shipping. That being said in the 9 years I have been building and hundreds of rods under my belt only 2 that I have built broke while fishing.

[Kevin Bogan]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

OK Kevin. That is a good warranty. Even though some storeboughts are garenteed against breakage by the time you pay to ship them back and forth it is hardly worth it.

often they want a replacement charge, $60-80, plus shipping, and sometimes they send you the next best model.