Tommy's Pro Custom Rods
184 Southfield Road
Shreverport, LA 71105
SHOP # 318 865-7951
CELL # 318 272-0556

TOMMY'S CUSTOM PRO RODS & ROD REPAIR

Rod Information & Designs

I don't want to lose you on Rod Building, so here are a few definitions:

1. MODULUS - a measurement of the stiffness of the fibers when describing graphite. The higher the modulus number the stiffer and more sensitive the rod. A modulus of 10-15 million is typical; 33-42 million indicates a medium range and is sometimes referred to as IM6. Very sensitive rods can go as high as 50+ Million.
2. SENSITIVITY - A fish's bite or strike can come in a variety of forms. It can be A quick yank, or series of yanks, a steady pull or even the opposite of a release in the tension on the line. In each case, the fish will introduce energy into the line that then travels up the line in the form of an impulse or a vibration. For purposes of simplicity, I will call them all vibrations, but sensitivity comes down to how much of energy in the fish's bite gets to the fisherman's hand in the form of rod movement.
3. STIFFNESS TO WEIGHT RATIO - The most important fact about sensitivity is weight per the amount of power, and This is called: Stiffness To Weight Ratio. The hoop reinforcement Fibers do not interrupt vibrations. They just do not contribute much to the overall power or stiffness of the blank, nor were they designed too. For that reason blanks, which have more linear power fibers typically, attain their power at less weight than those with fewer or less perfectly aligned linear power fibers. Which, would make the former lighter for the same power and therefore, more Sensitive.
4. TRICKS - During the course of the 40 years that I have built bass fishing rods, I have learned more about how to make the rods more sensitive.
5. WRAPS - The details of the thread used on your rod.
6. UNDERWRAPS - This is where you wrap one thread over another one, and this helps the performance of a rod for strength and sensitivity.
7. TRIMWRAPS - I do not use trimwraps because trim wraps do nothing for a rod. Underwraps add looks and performance.
8. DECORATIVE BUTT WRAPS - My butt wraps vary from diamond wraps to chevron wraps to Spiral wraps (see photo gallery).
9. There will be optional wraps; they are THUNDERBIRD WRAP, AMERICAN FLAG WRAP, AND not pictured in the gallery is FISH WRAPS. Look under OPTIONS for price.
10. SPLIT CORK HANDLES - This is under options built to your specifications on Length for more details contact me. This adds to sensitivity and weight of rod.
11. GUIDES - Fuji Alconite Concept Guides are the latest and most durable guides available.
12. MODULUS RATING - The modulus rating on factory rods has gotten out of hand, and the little rod manufacturer is the worst at claiming 70 to 100 Modulus, this is a bunch of bull. You can call St. Croix at 1-800-826-7042; they do NOT claim any Modulus rating to be that high. St. Croix has been in business since 1948. If you do call them they will explain to you why I am saying it is bull to claim 70 to 100 Modulus. You can also call me at 318 272-0556 and I will be glad to explain this information further for you.
13. Please do not mis-understand me; there are other rods out there that are good, However, there is not a better built rod blank then ST. CROIX and G. LOOMIS. Believe me, I have repaired and built them.
14. FLY-RODS - In FLY RODS the best is SAGE, ST. CROIX, G. LOOMIS & ORVIS LAMIGLAS.
15. SALTWATER INSHORE - Fishing for Redfish, Speckle Trout, and Flounder HANDS DOWN #1 blank to use is G. LOOMIS, followed by ST. CROIX Running a close second.
16. OFFSHORE BIG GAME RODS - There is a number of them that I like. I feel that SEEKER is the BEST, followed by AMERICAN TACKLE, ATX BLANKS, GATOR GLASS, LAMIGLAS, & OEM TYPE SALTWATER BLANK.
17. REDSNAPPER GROUPER RODS - I recommend AMERICAN TACKLE BLANKS AND SEEKER BLANKS.
18. ROD COMPONENTS - They are very important to making a good rod. FUJI ROD COMPONENTS are the best to use. Again I have used them all FUJI GUIDES& TOPS cannot be beat on Bass rods, and Redfish and Speckled Trout Rods. There is just one reel seat for BASS ROD or REDFISH RODS and that is FUJI.
19. For OFFSHORE FISHING- Mainly you had better have AFTCO ROLLER GUIDES AND AFTCO HANDLES.

Be sure to look at my PRO STAFF PAGE, you can call any one of them and they will tell you what kind of rod I build, also check out my TESTIMONIAL PAGE.

Last, but not the least, TOMMY'S PRO CUSTOM FISHING RODS, is not Sponsored by any of these manufacturer's that I have named here. I have used Other name brand and non name brand blanks and components, and none come up the the high standards of the ones I named. The rod blanks that I use, named above, by far surpass the high standards that I am looking for in a rod blank that you need to build an OUTSTANDING TOP PERFORMING, AND HIGHLY SENSITIVE FISHING ROD.

CALL ME ANYTIME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS #318-272-0556