well I'm out of a job

[BigJack]

I have been running a Custom Fishing Rod Company for 3 years and I think the time has come to close the doors this is what has gotten me through high school but I just cant drum up any orders and the time has come to close the doors and try my hand at something else because I am scratching an order a month which is not even enough to meet the wholesale minimums..

here are some pics from projects past

[BigJack]

I have a mess on my computer at home that I will put up those are lower quality cell phone pics

It was a lot of fun but the bills arn't getting paid and my gas tank is dry so I think bagging groceries will pay them better

[flywise]

Nice work, sorry to hear you have to shut down.
Maybe times will vet better soon and you can make another go of it

[BigJack]

I will still do a few here and there for people that want 'em but this was my full time job untill june of last year and the orders dropped from 10 or so rods a month to 1 or 2

[krl014]

Sorry to hear. I recently have started looking to branch the company I work for into the custom fishing rod market, providing unbeaten quality leather as grips on the rods.

Awesome looking jobs on your rods though.

[manwitaplan]

I have a mess on my computer at home that I will put up those are lower quality cell phone pics

It was a lot of fun but the bills arn't getting paid and my gas tank is dry so I think bagging groceries will pay them better

With your skill level, could you not work for a major rod company like Billy Stix? You could always keep your dream alive part time...

Good luck

Manwitaplan

[BigJack]

I did it for the love of the art, like the guys who make bows or leather ect. But the money needs to be there for me to do it. Billy Stix makes some nice stuff but he is 6 hours away

[holdem]

My Wife's business is sinking from lack of orders and customers not paying. I volunteered to go collect but she won't let me. Everybody wants a free handout.

I thought about a rod repair set-up in a box truck or van around boat ramps or tournaments. I'm still thinking.

[BoneDigger]

You have any old stock you'd like to sell off?

Sorry to hear about the end of your business. It's tough out there and a constant struggle to keep going.

Todd

[AtTheWall]

When the economy heads south....custom rods take a back seat everytime. I don't do it for a business, I simply build my own and a few select builds for friends and family.

You will find something else....hopefully related to Fishing and the Outdoor service industry?

I know the Florida area is hit or miss....I wrapped a few for several down Florida City - Homestead Florida way years ago. Most of that was offshore stuff......speciality rods like steel line wahoo rigs, sailfish casting and or kiting rods etc. Never did it for money though.....the crowd I wrapped for ran me offshore a lot and I fished literally every weekend I had off.


My last build - finished it up about 2 weeks ago. Carolina Cast Pro 3-7oz 12ft surf blank. Have a Hornell surf rod to start on for a friend. Old Varmac chromed reel seat is the only left from it's build era - stripped everything off and extended the butt...another split grip old school surf rod redone for another decade.

[manwitaplan]

When the economy heads south....custom rods take a back seat everytime. I don't do it for a business, I simply build my own and a few select builds for friends and family.

You will find something else....hopefully related to Fishing and the Outdoor service industry?

I know the Florida area is hit or miss....I wrapped a few for several down Florida City - Homestead Florida way years ago. Most of that was offshore stuff......speciality rods like steel line wahoo rigs, sailfish casting and or kiting rods etc. Never did it for money though.....the crowd I wrapped for ran me offshore a lot and I fished literally every weekend I had off.


My last build - finished it up about 2 weeks ago. Carolina Cast Pro 3-7oz 12ft surf blank. Have a Hornell surf rod to start on for a friend. Old Varmac chromed reel seat is the only left from it's build era - stripped everything off and extended the butt...another split grip old school surf rod redone for another decade.

Can I be your friend or family

I sure like your custom fishing rods. Great work.

Manwitaplan

[Texastaxi]

It must suck to have to lay yourself off!

Good luck, going forward.

[miket]

Sorry to hear it. The rods look awesome. I hope you can find something good. It takes a certain kind of person to care about quality and do skilled work with pride.

[prkchp]

Sorry to hear it. Those are some nice rods there.

[BigJack]

the thing that kills me is that old America is dying I am going to be 18 in two weeks and I dont know another kid my age who does it, or does much in the way of crafts such as metal work, wood work ect.

The reason that our country is slipping is that we have a different culture now than before, and it frankly disgusts me.

but, it is what it is I guess I never made a lot of money a really god month was maybe $750 after expenses but I liked the job and it put gas in my car and let me take the GF out every once in a while. It was sure a lot better than washing dishes like the other kids I know, that or mooching off their parents. God forbid they have to do something other than be lazy after their terrible 6 hours sitting in a desk understanding physics concepts my bird dog could master, and then go out and work 3-6 hours a day........ohhh know little jimmy couldn't do that it would be torture and they give their kids money TO DO NOTHING, and that is not going to happen when mommy and daddy arn't looking after you.