Kauai built trolling rods

Fish Buster · Jun-20-2009, 01:12 PM

Hows this guy Bird that builds rods on Kauai? I was thinking about having him build me some rods but wanted to check to see what other locals thought about his craftsmenship. If you have used his shit, how do the wrappings on the guides hold up....also the clear coating. He said something about one of his poles snapping. The blanks are made by Calstar. Any feedback is welcomed. Aloha

Addicted2fishin · Jun-20-2009, 01:35 PM

Eric... If i'm not mistaken I have seen just a few of his poles in action here in kona. His trademark is that Paua shell inserts under the roller guides. Well not a trademark but only a few imitate that. They are still going strong after years of service.

Craftsmanship was top notch. It was a simple pattern with black on black rod with underwrappings and the insert but it was nicely done with a super thick layer of flex coat over the thread. Looked much more heavy duty than most rods being built here.

After talking to Bird... when he was making my lures.. he explained a little about the rods and process because I was looking for a set up for my boat. Calstar or pacific bay blanks. Your choice of Aftco, pac bay, generic butt. However much underwrapping you want.. up to 2 or 3 I think. And so forth and so forth. He said he can do almost anything to your heart's desire.

I eventually ended up getting 8 rods 50 through 100lb class off of somewhere else. Cheap ass poles, bubbled flex coat, thread ends stick out and colors don't match my boat... but these rods catch fish no and ifs or buts.

mahiman 1 · Jun-20-2009, 02:05 PM

Aloha fishbuster,
I've known Bird now for a couple of years. Have visited his house and watched him work. Use his lures all the time. They all catch. Also designed a lure for him to make and he did a great job. Had him build me a nice 50lb trolling rod. Calstar blank. Love it. Beautiful top-notch work. I wouldn't hesitate.

Fish Buster · Jun-21-2009, 08:18 PM

mahalo boys.

kaimikai · Jun-21-2009, 09:12 PM

bird makes a good rod ..spend the extra bucks to get the right components....ask for aftco butts and calstar blanks...he has cheaper butts available but you get what you pay for....I build rods also but bird does good work also...no worries....hank

JUDE SCHWARZE · Jul-01-2009, 11:30 PM

With tuna over 250 pounds and a not so perfect drag sometimes things break. If you want a rod made in Kauai i like Hank. He has done all mine. All calstar. Never broke one guide not to mention rod. Wraps are not super extravagant. I'm not out to look good but hank does not let me go around looking shabby either.

I have no experience with Bird. Maybe someone else on that.

LUCKY DAVE · Jul-02-2009, 10:20 PM

Hank built a complete set of trolling rods for my Hatteras 60, and mailed them to me (I live on the mainland)
I went with Calstar blanks and Aftco guides/butts. Don't cheap out on the components, especially the blanks. They're not that much more $$.
High quality rods for a good price, I'm very satisfied.

(Hank, I'll be there in a couple weeks, see ya then)

ALOHABIRD · Jul-04-2009, 03:21 PM

HOWZIT HANK TOLD ME ABOUT THIS THREAD! JUST TO ADD TO IT I STARTED MY COMPANY HAWAIIAN CUSTOM RODS 4 YEARS AGO AND I WAS THE FIRST ON KAUAI IF NOT THE STATE TO DO RODS WITH ABALONE SHELL AROUND 6 YEARS AGO ! IN 4 YEARS I HAVE WRAPPED OVER 500 RODS! THE FIRST YEAR I MADE OVER 200 ! I SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD ! AU,NZ,BRAZIL,EUROPE,CARIBBEANS, AND ALL OVER THE EAST COAST AND ALL OVER THE STATE OF HAWAII! I HAVE TOTALLY OUTFITTED 16 BOATS NOW! THATS 5-11 RODS PER BOAT! I AM THE ONLY CALSTAR DISTRIBUTER ON KAUAI! I DO HAVE A WEBSITE BUT IT IS SIMPLE AND I DO ORDERS ON REQUEST SINCE EVERYONE WANTS THERE RODS CUSTOM ORDER TO CLASS AND LENGTH YOU CAN VISIT > Hawaiian Custom Rods ~ Reasonably Priced! HAVE A NICE 4TH AND WEEKEND A HUI HO ALOHA!

MKUHN138 · Jul-06-2009, 04:41 AM

Calstar rods are good. Everything I build for myself is on a calstar blank - they have a lifetime warranty, and if they break it's usually due to user error. If you know somebody who has one of his rods, check it out. Look at the epoxy under the guide feet, check for bubbles. Find out if he double or triple wraps guide feet. Buy the parts yourself and give them to him to build - this way you know you're getting what you want.

If you have any questions you can shoot me a PM, or check with some of the guys on the rod building forum.

Fish Buster · Jul-08-2009, 11:42 AM

I recieved my rods from John, and they are sweet. I ran them yesterday and the day before and got a ono and a good size shibi.

No complaints and i would recommend them.