Tradewinds Feb 2014 Final Web

Custom Rods
by Jake Worthington
When I was about seven years old my Granddaddy Jimmy gave me a custom built rod for a Christmas present.
Even though I had only been fishing seriously since the ripe old age of 3, I knew that having the best equipment
was the backbone of successful fishing. Think of your fishing rod as a skeleton in the human body. It is the
backbone of the body and without it you can’t stand, walk or run. A good fishing rod is the backbone of your
fishing arsenal.
That first custom built rod was made by Carl Overman of Elizabeth City. Mr. Overman made fishing
rods until his death in 2006. I was extremely lucky to get one as a gift, and it was one of the last rods he made.
The rod had custom cork grip, a beautiful colored wrap design, and chrome plated wire frame guides. The rod
was a seven foot rod and was designed for casting and retrieving like you would use on a pier casting Gotcha
Plugs. Not many custom rod makers use the old shiny silver wire rod guides anymore. I like the way they look
and it gives my rod character. I have logged many hours fishing with my first custom rod, and it wet my appetite for more of them.
My next custom rod was a gift the following year from my neighbor Pete Kornegay. Mr. Pete, as I call him, made me my very own seven foot
trout rod. My second custom rod was personalized just for me. The rod was a genuine cork gripped, medium action blank with Fuji guides. The best part
was the design because it was red and white with the NC State Wolfpack Mascot on it. I have used it for Rockfishing in the Pasquotank River, for catching
Bluefish from the Avalon Fishing Pier, and I have even caught Mahi offshore with it. The rod is still in use today and it, like my first custom rod, is
near and dear to my heart.
My next three custom rods were Red Drum Tackle custom Hatteras Style Heavers. They are twelve foot rods with custom colored wraps, Fuji
guides and reel seats, and cork tape grips. I have caught quite a few Red Drum and sharks from the surf and pier with them over the years.
The next custom rod on my wish list is a Ryan White Custom Jigging Rod with a Century Blank that will withstand the rigors of Amberjack and
Tuna jigging. I would like my rod to have the Seattle Seahawks blue and green colors with a logo of the Seahawk on the rod base. The next time you have
a gift to buy for the fisherman in your life, try buying a custom rod for a special gift that will last a lifetime. Ask around for a local rod builder in your
area and give a great gift.
Phone # :
252-338-7724
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“You are attacked, not for any
errors or flaws, but for your
virtues. You are denounced, not
for any weaknesses, but
for your strength.”
The Ayn Rand Letter
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