Is there much of a market on here for custom built crappie rods?

[Ladykiller]

Is there much of a market on here for custom built crappie rods? I've built many spinning rods using fly rod blanks for the steelhead fishing community and since I've moved to crappie waters, I use them for crappie and they work great. I was wondering if people here would be interested in having a custom built crappie rod and how much of a hobby/business I could make out of it. I like the fly rod blanks due to their length, light weight, the way they flex, and their sensitivity.

Any interest?

[Ranger690]

I'd like a few specifically for bobber fishing. I'd like larger eyes to allow string type bobber stops to slide more freely. If the price was reasonable. I wouldn't be spending $100 on bobber rods.

Dayton

[deathb4disco]

Any interest?

My guess is "very little", but it will be dependent on price. At least 95% of crappie rods are well below $100, so that's what you're competing against.

On a side note, I really like the type of rod you describe and think they make great crappie rods. I think "steelhead" rods are great for a lot of stuff.

[bfish]

Death above spells it out. Generally, crappiefishermen tend to buy the cheapest possible gear. Steelhead blanks (and flyblanks) can be pricy, even for entry models.

PS I use steelhead rods to pull cranks, and have a couple of 5 and 6 wt fly blanks turned into spinning rods for casting jigs. So your idea does have merit.

[Blackhawk19]

I build rods for local people and knowing the price of a decent blank, handle, guides etc then you have the cost of the freight getting the stuff to you and then there's also the freight to get it to the customer whoever pays it. When you add them all up I think you will be priced to high for the market. If you can find a way to make it work more power to you.

[GRIZZ]

If you built it, they will come. Build a nice custom rod. Post it here and someone will most likely see it and want it. Looks like you already have one customer with just the suggestion. Go for it.

[jeepguyjames]

I used to buy "cheap" rods-reels etc for crappie fishing.....until I bit the bullet and bought a quality rod/reel combo, now the "cheap stuff" just don't cut it no more......theres somthing to be said for quality......would be hard for me to spend good $ on s rod with out putting my hands on it 1st though.....good luck

[Good Stuff]

I'm with Blackhawk19, I built rods for a hobby for a while and by the time you add up the cost to build a good rod no one will pay what you need.
I have a fortune in offshore trolling rods I built for myself back in my saltwater fishing days.

[RetiredRR]

On a fly rod blank, bare bones crappie rod.........how much you think it would be worth? I fly fish with St. Croix 7 wt, 5 wt & 3 wt. So I know the prices.
I crappie fish with a St. Croix UL and B n M 12' poles. So, what would be a fair price for a 9' fly rod blank w/eyes and cork handle for crappie fishing?
9' rod (2 piece)..........give me a price that you could live with and that I could afford. I'd think a 5 wt would be just about right for crappie fishing. What
are your thoughts? Just a thought. If you built one and put it up for bid, post a photo, and let's see what kind of interest it might generate. Makes
me wonder too. Give it a try and let's see what happens. I've thought several times about purchasing a custom crappie rod, but just cannot pull the trigger
on the "custom" price.

[Don G]

I also have St Croix 9 ft- 6 weight rods that I use on occasion. I would be interested in a rod like this with eyes, cork handle and spinning reel seat. I love the sensitivity of the rods but don't like the rear reel seat.

Do you ever use Rain Shadow blanks?