Before you begin.

Every decision on the rod is the angler's. Blank, guide count, guide material, reel-seat hardware, grip material, grip shape, thread color, wrap pattern, and any decorative inlay — all of it is chosen in the consultation and drawn up in an Illustrator mockup before a component is ordered. If a component exists and the shop can source it, it is on the table.

The shop builds with Fuji, American Tackle, Lamiglas, St. Croix, Rod Geeks, Sage, MHX, and CRB depending on what the spec calls for. Component choice is spec-driven, not brand-loyal — the right blank for the fishery is the blank the shop orders, whether or not it is the usual one.

Consultation is by phone, email, or video — whichever format lets the conversation run long enough to get the spec right. Most consultations take a single 30–60 minute call; more involved builds sometimes run a second call after the mockup. There is no charge for the consultation, and no obligation to move forward after it.

Yes. Guide rewraps, grip replacement, refinish, and tip repair are all bench work the shop does. The shop started on a repair, and the work is welcome. Write in with photos and a description of the problem; a quote follows the same consultation posture as a new build.

After saltwater use, rinse the rod in fresh water — guides, reel seat, and cork grip included — then dry it before it goes back in the tube. Store the rod in its tube when it is not in rotation. Avoid lean-against-the-transom storage on boats; corrosion starts where salt sits. A note with specific care instructions goes out with every finished rod.

The shop specializes in saltwater work, and that is where the bench is sharpest. Freshwater builds are possible on request, but the shop will say plainly if a different builder is a better fit for a particular freshwater spec. The goal is the right rod for the angler, not a rod at any cost.