Just wanted to show you guys the type of work I do & the scale wrap I did for my son's gator glass. All the under wraps are done the same to the tip, but grow in size from top to bottom.This rod also has an old school split grip behind reel seat in which I also incorporated the scale wrap. Total build time from start to finish is 44 long hours including 2 coats of epoxy
Great job capt.
Awesome work man
Looks great, good job
Total build time from start to finish is 44 long hours including 2 coats of epoxy
44 hours multiplied $15 an hour for labor = $660
Materials - $250
$660 + $250 = $910
I know its your son's rod and it's a labor of love. Would that rod be about $1000.00 if you were trying to sell it. Am I even close???????????????????
TEAM GETCHA GETCHA SHARKON
insane wrapping skills, i like it lol
Just an average fisherman.
Nice work Doug!!Under the guide waps,,,,,,,now that's attention to detail. 
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Thank you guys for the compliments!! I remember the night JD seen this rod at the south skyway pier,his words were "That rods so pretty,I wouldn't be fishing it.. I'd have it hanging on the wall" (lol) I've been building rods since the age of 14 as a Hobie on & off over the years. Alot of you on here know me & that in 2008,I was in a bad accident that broke my neck & left me with severe nerve damage to my left arm & hand..& alot of free time to recover. I got to the point to where I decided I wasn't going to let my disability's get the best of me,so I did what I could to keep my mind straight & back to rod building it was. This rod is hand turned (no motor!) & done with a left hand that only 3 fingers work( I'm left handed) Prior to the accident,I had 2 14/0's one I sold & the second I gave to my son cause I couldn't handle a reel that big any more. My goal was too build my son a rod that would one- handle the 14/0 & two-be a conversation piece so he could meet new people when ever he took it out. Reaming the foam & running it on the lathe & the mock up was the easy part,on the other hand the split grip,butt wrap & under wraps/weaves are what ate the most time. Anyways,this rod is a part of me & was given to him on his 16th birthday
Snook hunter- I never really sat down & thought about what I had into this rod & build until I read your post. I have to say your very close cause when I got this rod finished I took it down to Bill Greenway at Indian Rocks Tackle & he appraised the rod alone for $800. The blank is a T 80/unlimited 10ft gator Glass ($120) Aftco Big foots (7) from Roy at Ultimate Fishing Tackle ($139)The reel seat, thread, epoxy & UB 40 I had but spent another $20 for foam.The rest is all labor. This is a one of a kind rod,so if you guys are ever out there & come across Dakota,please take a moment to say hi & then smack him in the head & tell him how lucky he is to have a dad to build him rods like this (lol) 
i really like the decorative wraps inside the guides as an underwrap.. i recently just did a rod with a decorative wrap inbetween the guides...mines not as complex and nice lookng as yours but im only 16 and still learning
Joe,Beautiful job!! It all starts somewhere & it looks like your doing a great job for a beginner.The biggest thing is being creative & letting your mind run wild..if its your rod that your building that is. There is alot of different literature out there to help you more understand the concepts,one I use from time to time is "Custom thread art" by Dale P. Clemens (used-$25) This book goes into great detail about rod building & also provides alot of different patterns to practice & instill. Keep up the good work & if I can be of any help please just let me know
Beautiful work Captain! It's a new family heirloom! 