Rod Building Course

Lesson 1 • Anatomy of a Fishing Rod

Covers all major rod components from tip to butt. Builds vocabulary essential for every subsequent chapter.

Lesson 2 • Essential Tools and Supplies

Identifies every tool required for rod building. Students assemble a complete starter toolkit before hands-on work begins.

Lesson 3 • Rod Blank Selection Basics

Explains blank materials, taper styles, and power ratings. Guides students in matching blanks to target fishing applications.

Lesson 1 • Reel Seat Types and Selection

Covers spinning, casting, and fly reel seat designs. Students match seat style and size to blank diameter and rod purpose.

Lesson 2 • Shaping and Finishing Cork Grips

Teaches lathe and hand-shaping techniques for cork. Proper shaping ensures ergonomic comfort and professional appearance.

Lesson 3 • Installing Reel Seats and Grips

Demonstrates adhesive application and alignment techniques. Correct installation prevents seat rotation and ensures a lasting bond.

Lesson 1 • Guide Types and Frame Materials

Surveys single-foot, double-foot, and specialty guide designs. Frame and insert material choices affect weight, durability, and casting performance.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Rod Spine

Explains how to locate and use the rod blank's natural spine. Spine alignment determines guide placement and casting efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Taping and Checking Guide Train

Teaches temporary guide taping for test casting before final wrapping. Students verify spacing and alignment through functional testing.

Lesson 1 • Wrapping Single-Foot Guides

Demonstrates the start loop, body wrap, and pull-through finish. Students practice until wraps are tight, even, and free of gaps.

Lesson 2 • Wrapping Double-Foot Guides

Extends single-foot skills to the more complex double-foot wrap sequence. Proper foot transitions prevent thread gaps and weak spots.

Lesson 3 • Decorative Wraps and Trim Bands

Introduces chevrons, diamonds, and color-change trim bands. Decorative wraps add value and personalization without compromising structural integrity.

Lesson 4 • Setting Up the Wrapping Station

Covers tensioner setup, rod support, and thread bobbin positioning. Consistent tension is the single most critical factor in wrap quality.

Lesson 1 • Applying Epoxy to Wraps

Demonstrates brush and fingertip application methods for full wrap penetration. Even coverage seals thread and locks guides permanently.

Lesson 2 • Rod-Finish Epoxy Chemistry

Explains two-part epoxy ratios, pot life, and viscosity. Understanding chemistry prevents common failures like soft spots and delamination.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Finish Defects

Identifies and corrects bubbles, sags, fisheyes, and soft spots. Students learn repair techniques to salvage and refinish problem areas.

Lesson 4 • Mixing Epoxy Correctly

Covers measuring, mixing technique, and bubble introduction prevention. Improper mixing is the leading cause of finish failure.

Lesson 1 • Heavy Saltwater Rod Builds

Scales techniques to large-diameter blanks, roller guides, and heavy-duty components. Corrosion resistance and structural strength are critical design priorities.

Lesson 2 • Ice and Ultralight Rod Builds

Adapts techniques to short, sensitive blanks used in ice fishing and ultralight applications. Minimizing weight is the primary design constraint.

Lesson 3 • Fly Rod Configuration

Explains snake guide spacing, stripping guide placement, and cork grip shaping for fly rods. Fly rod builds demand precise weight balance and guide alignment.

Lesson 4 • Spinning Rod Configuration

Covers guide train layout, handle length, and reel seat orientation for spinning rods. Spinning-specific geometry maximizes line flow from a fixed-spool reel.

Lesson 1 • Guide Replacement and Rewrapping

Demonstrates safe removal of old wraps and epoxy without blank damage. Students rewrap replacement guides to match original or improved specifications.

Lesson 2 • Blank Repair Techniques

Covers spigot ferrule inserts and fiberglass sleeve repairs for broken blanks. Structural repairs must restore original action and load capacity.

Lesson 3 • Diagnosing Rod Damage

Teaches visual and flex inspection methods to classify damage severity. Accurate diagnosis determines whether repair or replacement is the correct course.

Lesson 1 • Inspection Standards and Checklists

Defines measurable quality criteria for every rod component. Systematic inspection catches defects before they reach the customer.

Lesson 2 • Final Sanding and Polish

Covers wet sanding epoxy between coats and final polish application. Proper sanding removes imperfections without cutting through the finish layer.

Lesson 3 • Packaging and Delivery Preparation

Covers rod sock, tube selection, and safe shipping practices. Proper packaging protects finished rods and reflects professional standards.