I began building my own rods in 2019. Got to the point where I knew what I wanted and to get it I needed to build the rod myself (plus its fun). With each trip being 5 -8+ hours on the water I make a lot of casts. So I want (need) a rod that is light and does not wear me down ( I had rotator cuff surgery back in 2013 and the shoulder started barking at me again in 2021). I want a rod that is sensitive, casts a solid distance and handles the artificials I decide to take on my walk. I want a rod with enough balls to set a hook. An all around rod for me is throwing 1/2 oz to 3 1/2 – 4 oz well. Crazy ass light. And while I have built a few, ODM Frontiers, Century Sling Shot (AKA Broom Stick), Black Hole, Rainshadows, the 10′ ODM Evolution is perfect for me.
Things I consider when I decide to build a rod:
- My leaders have Spro Power Swivels, size 5, rated at 120 lbs at the end to connect the braid. These must pass through the guides, while its not good for the guides, it will happen occasionally.
- Been using Torzite guides (lighter, harder).
- Thin rod handle. Comfortabe for me so I use shrink tube.
- Amount of guides, I don’t want a rod with excessive guides and epoxy dampening the rod action, adding weight. This is important to me.
- Rod weight, I use a VSX2 100 almost all the time and like a rod that is light….as light as possible.
- The ODM Evolution NXE-105 really covers most of my fishing trips. Feels great for me matched with a VSX150 or a VSX2 100. Throws Albi Snax and plugs up to 4 oz. Crazy sensitive rod.
April 26, 2020, started using the ODM Evolution NXE-105, 10′, 3/4oz -5 oz, , rod weighs 8.2 oz, my all around rod. This rod covers almost all of my fishing. Love this rod. I built two.
The 10′ blank weighed 5.7 oz, finished rod comes in at 8.2 oz. It covers almost all of the fishing I do. Not a cheap blank. Its expensive, but my search for a better rod, a rod that I enjoy using more, has ended.
| Tip | TKGTT-8-7.0 (tube size 7.0)/ |
| Runner | TKTTG-7J |
| Runner | TKTTG-7J |
| Runner | TKTTG-7J |
| Choke | TKLTG-12J |
| Reduction | TKLTG-16J |
| Stripper | TKLTG-20H |