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Mastering Rod Building: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 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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- 1 weeks ago1h 11m
Meet Jack Baron: From Collegiate Bass Fishing to the Rod Bench
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Jack Baron of Anglers Resource about his background in competitive bass fishing, his time with the University of Montevallo fishing team, and his rapid progression into custom rod building. Jack shares how his passion for swimbaits and glide baits has influenced his approach to designing high-performance fishing rods.Bill and Jack discuss matching rod actions to different fishing techniques, including treble-hook glide baits, soft swimbaits, and jerkbaits. Jack explains his approach to guide layouts, handle design, component selection, and the importance of test casting and static deflection when dialing in a custom build.The conversation also covers experimenting with spiral wraps, unconventional guide configurations, and lightweight components, along with building specialized saltwater rods for jigging, jerkbaits, and large soft plastics. Throughout the episode, Jack emphasizes hands-on experimentation, learning through trial and error, and why new rod builders shouldn't be afraid to try something different or redo a build to get it right.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- 3 weeks ago1h 11m
Rod Recipes For Beach Fishing In The Northeast
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Bob Hryszko of Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park, New Jersey, about his path into custom rod building, Northeast saltwater fishing, and the rod designs that have evolved around those fisheries. Bob shares how he went from fishing factory rods to learning the craft from the late Grumpy and eventually becoming part owner of the tackle shop.Bill and Bob discuss Northeast surf fishing for striped bass and bluefish, including the importance of casting distance, rod loading, guide layouts, and matching a surf rod to the angler. Bob also talks about ODM surf blanks, including the Genesis and Evolution series, and why different blanks, actions, and lengths work for different fishing situations.The conversation also covers fluke fishing, blackfish, offshore tuna, and the wide range of rods required for Northeast saltwater fishing. Bob explains why he prefers moderate-action rods for heavy fluke fishing, glass or glass-like rods for blackfish, and different setups depending on whether anglers are fishing from the beach, a boat, or heavy structure.Bill and Bob also discuss distance casting, the growth of nearshore bluefin tuna fishing in New Jersey, FUJI’s New Guide Concept, and the influence of builders like Mike Hickey and Jim Ising on modern spinning-rod guide layouts. Throughout the episode, Bob emphasizes learning from experienced builders, matching the rod to the fishery, and sharing that knowledge with the next generation of rod builders.You can learn more about Grumpy’s Tackle on their website and follow them on Facebook.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Sep 29, 202640 min
FUJI New Products: Ways to Reduce Weight Within Your Rod Build
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime rod builder and RodMaker Magazine publisher Tom Kirkman about how reducing unnecessary weight can improve fishing rod performance without sacrificing strength or durability.Bill and Tom discuss some of the biggest opportunities to cut weight in a custom build, including FUJI Titanium Guides, MC Guides, Torzite Guides, and Carbon Fiber Grips. They explain why weight in the upper half of the rod matters most and how lighter guides, smaller components, shorter wraps, and less finish can improve rod speed, recovery, and overall efficiency.The conversation also moves into the handle, where carbon fiber grips, grip coring, lightweight arbors, and proper reel-seat installation can remove significant weight. Tom explains how builders can maintain the look and craftsmanship of a custom rod while eliminating material that adds weight without improving performance.Bill and Tom also discuss rod balance, sensitivity, guide selection, and why custom builders should not be afraid to mix components or modify traditional setups to get the performance they want.Throughout the episode, Tom emphasizes a simple principle: do the most with the least. The goal is not to make a rod as light as possible at all costs, but to use components and building techniques that produce the lightest rod capable of reliably doing its intended job.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Sep 17, 20261h 6m
Jim Crowley Outdoors: Why More Serious Anglers Are Building Their Own Fishing Rods
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime angler, outdoor media personality, and rod builder Jim Crowley about how decades of tournament fishing, television, writing, lure building, and product development have shaped the way he approaches custom fishing rods. Crowley shares how his fishing career evolved from competitive angling into outdoor television and radio before eventually leading him into rod building.Jim explains how his early work with St. Croix and rod designer Mike Thorson taught him to think closely about rod length, power, action, and matching a rod to a specific fishing technique. Years later, encouragement from Don Morse helped push him into building his own rods when he realized he wanted combinations of actions and lengths that he was not finding in off-the-shelf equipment.The conversation explores why Jim believes building his own rods has actually made him a better angler. He explains that designing a rod around a particular lure forces him to pay closer attention to every part of the fishing system, including the rod, reel, line, lure presentation, retrieve speed, and what the bait is doing throughout every cast.Bill and Jim also dive into the development of Jim’s technique-specific rod kits with Mud Hole, including rods designed specifically for bladed jigs, hair jigs, jerkbaits, and Ned rigs. Jim breaks down the years of experimentation behind his bladed-jig setup, from testing different lines and rod actions to eventually settling on a composite blank that provides enough sensitivity to detect a bite while still allowing the rod to load deeply and keep fish pinned.Jim also shares the story behind his hair-jig rod and why a 1/16-ounce hair jig can be such an effective tool for smallmouth bass and other species. He explains the importance of long casts, slow retrieves, light line, and a rod with enough parabolic action to serve as a shock absorber when fishing tiny hooks and light tackle. The conversation includes examples from recent trips where the hair jig produced quality smallmouth when other techniques struggled.Bill and Jim finish by discussing downsized bladed jigs, matching lure size to young-of-the-year forage, building rods around highly specialized fishing techniques, and the satisfaction that comes from catching fish on equipment you designed and built yourself. Jim emphasizes that custom rod building is not simply about creating a fishing rod—it can help anglers understand their equipment, presentation, and fishing techniques at a much deeper level.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Sep 2, 202652 min
The Business of Rodbuilding - How To Price Custom Rods
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime rod builder and RodMaker Magazine publisher Tom Kirkman about one of the most common questions in custom rod building: how to price a custom fishing rod and build a business that is actually worth the builder’s time.Tom explains why custom rod builders should not try to compete with factory rods on price and why a well-built custom rod should command a premium. He shares the advice that helped shape his own approach to pricing, including starting with the price of a comparable high-end factory rod, understanding what the local market will bear, and recognizing that if no customers ever hesitate because of price, a builder may be charging too little.The conversation covers component costs, labor, profit margins, warranties, customer-supplied components, rod repair, and why charging an hourly labor rate can actually penalize experienced builders for becoming more efficient. Bill and Tom also discuss how reputation, craftsmanship, specialization, and a recognizable building style can increase the value of a rod beyond the cost of the materials used to build it.Tom explains why successful builders need to offer something factory manufacturers cannot, whether that means tailoring a rod to an individual angler, solving a specific fishing problem, creating unique aesthetics, or serving a niche technique. He also shares ideas for growing a custom rod business through rod repair, tackle shops, craft shows, gift certificates, and other opportunities that put builders directly in front of potential customers.Bill and Tom also discuss warranties, pricing enough margin into each rod to cover legitimate failures, and the federal Sport Fishing Equipment Excise Tax that custom rod builders need to understand when selling rods. Throughout the conversation, Tom emphasizes that there is no universal price for a custom rod. Builders have to understand their market, the quality and value of their work, and what they ultimately want their rod-building business to accomplish.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Aug 20, 20261h 5m
What 40 Years of Building Rail Rods Teaches You About Fishing with Bill Havens AKA Salty Dawg
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime West Coast rod builder Bill “Salty Dawg” Havens about his decades in the craft, the development of rail rods, and the innovations that helped shape Southern California’s long-range fishing scene.Bill shares how he began building rods in the 1960s, eventually turning rod building into a profession and developing the Salty Dawg rail grip after seeing traditional foregrips get destroyed while fighting large tuna from the rail. He explains how rail rods evolved, why durability matters, and how his grip design eventually became part of the Batson product lineup.The conversation covers heavy-duty rod construction, guide wraps, thread size, epoxy and finish techniques, grip installation, and Bill’s approach to finding faster and more efficient ways to produce custom work. Bill also discusses developing photo wraps, experimenting with materials for decorative designs, and working alongside builders such as Jim Trelikes as techniques like dragon scales and other decorative styles evolved.Bill and Bill also discuss the importance of sharing techniques, giving credit to the builders who developed them, and how younger rod builders continue adapting old ideas with new materials and technology. Bill reflects on thousands of rods built over his career, his work with Fisherman’s Landing and Batson, and why craftsmanship, efficiency, experimentation, and teaching others have remained central to his approach.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Aug 7, 20261h 58m
Build It Your Way: Andy Dear on Rod Building, Ego, and Experience
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime rod builder and product developer Andy Dear about craftsmanship, creativity, and developing a personal rod-building point of view.Andy explains why his approach centers on performance, simplicity, and creating a deeper connection to fishing rather than adding decoration that does not serve a purpose.The conversation covers Andy’s background in rod building, woodworking, music, carbon-fiber grips, finish development, and the industry innovators and memorable personalities who influenced the craft.Bill and Andy also discuss ego, social-media arguments, differing building methods, and why rod builders should focus on executing their work well, respecting other approaches, and enjoying the community surrounding the craft.The episode also includes details on the 2026 Mastering Rod Building Seminar, happening August 14–16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. For more information, email Jack Barron at jbarron@anglersresource.net or call 251-943-4491.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
- Jul 22, 20261h 24m
Tiger Tips And Tricks With Doc Ski
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with legendary custom rod builder James "Doc Ski" Labanowski about his lifetime in rod building and the evolution of decorative thread work.Doc shares how he began wrapping guides at eight years old, served 23 years as a U.S. Navy corpsman, and eventually learned every part of custom rod building from the Harrington Rod Company.The conversation covers Doc’s role in developing color-change weaving and his approach to the Throop Tiger Wrap, including how thread direction, spacing, burnishing, color selection, and finish coats create its distinctive patterns.Bill and Doc also discuss the importance of teaching others, recognizing the innovators behind different techniques, and using rod building to support veterans through organizations such as Salmon for Soldiers and Project Healing Waters.The episode also includes details on the 2026 Mastering Rod Building Seminar, happening August 14–16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. For more information, email Jack Barron at jbarron@anglersresource.net or call 251-943-4491.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
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About Mastering Rod Building
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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