Stabilizing
Before you start building your fishing rod, you need something to stabilize the blank. The blank is basically the shaft of the rod and the piece to which everything else is attached. You can use almost anything you like, including a set of sawhorses with clamps attached, or a vise. Keep in mind that you'll want something rigid, but something that lets you have easy access to the blank.
Drying
Once you start working on the fishing rod, you'll discover that you need something for drying the rod. Different stages involve adding a coat of epoxy and then letting it dry before moving onto the next step. There are different types of spinning dryers that work well for this step. You place the rod inside the dryer and it slowly turns, which prevents the epoxy from setting on only one side, or leaking out from the sides.
Guides
The placement of the guides on the fishing rod is determined by the size or length of the pole. The best way to determine the placement is by comparing your handmade rod to a pre-built one of the same length and then attaching your guides in the same places. You can also purchase a fishing rod kit, which includes measuring placement inside the manual.
Sealing
Before you take your handmade fishing rod out to the water, you need to seal the rod to protect it against moisture and damage from the water. A waterproof sealer is applied to the length of the rod and then you leave the rod to dry overnight. If you plan on painting the rod, apply your paint first and let that dry before you cover it with the sealer.
