Here's a Rogue MB704 with a Shimano Scorpion 1000. It's built with a split grip, split reel seat and no foregrip. The split grip reduces weight, while the abscence of a foregrip puts your finger directly on the blank for immediate and constant contact for sensitivity. The split reel seat also provides for direct contact with the blank for maximum sensitivity.

This is a split reel seat. Notice the main body of the reel seat has been removed leaving only the trigger section and the hood/screw on section. Someone who palms their reels will maintain direct contact with the blank to enhance the feeling of even the smallest tick on their lure.

Notice also the hookkeeper placed on top of the blank. This eliminates the line from ever catching on the hookkeeper - small thing, but think of all the times on your factory rods when your line fouled on the hookkeeper.

For those preferring a little more traditional reel seat, here is another option: a blank exposed reel seat. This particular reel seat, made by American Tackle, has a holographic hood and is complimented by their blue or holographic guides (see pic below). The exposed blank reel seat still allows for some contact with the blank when palming the reel.

I believe a custom built fishing rod is meant not only to be a first class fishing tool but also a means of expression. Using quality components and simple decorative tools such as metallic thread, holographic guides, or even marbleizing your blank gives a rod that personal and unique element that no factory rod could ever offer.

A new trend in custom rod building that truly brings a unique flare to a rod is marbleizing. No two marbled rods can be duplicated, each marbled rod is very beautiful.

A last of my most effective designs (not original, by the way) spiral wrapping the guides. A baitcasting spiral wrapped rod quickly takes the line from the top of the rod to the bottom. This eliminates any torque on the blank, which is one of the most notorious causes of rod breakage. It looks goofy, but the results speak for themselves: less broken rods. And when you're fishing a high performance rod (which most likely cost a bundle), the last thing you want is to see it break! This picture is of the spiral portion of a St. Croix S-Glass cranking stick.

I also build unique ice fishing rods. For more info on ice rods, click here.