Custom Built Rods
In our Liverpool factory we build in batches. We can offer small small changes to rods ordered through our partner dealers, such as adding a name, but we do not offer a full custom service. That is where our custom rod building friends come in. If you want a unique custom built rod there are independent custom rod builders who will build a rod to your specification, both here in the UK and overseas. Many of those rod builders are also well known as anglers and can also offer you expert advice. These are independent businesses, and vary in what they can offer and most have web sites and facebook accounts showing their work.
The rods on the right are from Tony Kay Custom Rods, who is a custom rod builder based near Liverpool. They have Alps reels seats and are a fine example of what you can have made. Below we list a few more builders around the UK and overseas and the slider at the bottom of the page has more pictures and links to custom web sites. Of course you can always build your own rod and we offer components through https://www.rivercitytackle.co.uk where you will also find blanks listed. We do not supply rods direct but we do supply blanks.
Broadlands Custom Rods. Colin Pitelen. Colin is a pike specialist and custom builds as well as having his own predator range. Norfolk. 077477415900
Buzzard Rods. Custom rod builder and specialist for repairs and alterations. Bedfordshire. coopsbuzzard@gmail.com
Calvin Hancock Custom Rods. Calvin is based in Stoke and is an expert in building high quality carp rods. 01782 498163
Clayton Custom Rods Kev Clayton worked in the Harrison factory for many years before setting up his own company. He sets the highest standards of quality and service and is based in the Liverpool-Wirral area. 07921121330
Cotswold Rods in Wiltshire offer custom rods and their own range of products. They also have space to cast a rod. 01285 860783
D.L. Specialist Tackle Dave Lumb is a well known predator angler and offers a wide range of rods, some to his own special designs, for predator, carp and specialist fishing. Preston area. 01772 812036
Eden Custom Rods Dean Hughes has a passion for creating some unique rods, both carp and specialist. As a lifelong angler and engineer he says “detail is everything when it comes to the finished product” Cumbria 07540 279900
John Hutchinson. I don’t think anyone can claim more experience than John, who has had a long career of custom and trade rod building. An expert with cork. Bedfordshire 07899 800985
Johnson Ross One of the best carp and specialist shops, Johnson Ross also offer a bespoke service accessible from their website. 01992 462 044
Lee Preston is based in Chorley and has thirty years of fishing experience and a range of rods and components to look at on his website. 07467 606144
MB Rod building. Marc Barnet must be one of the most experienced in the business having built rods for the trade and in his own shop, Mark II Angling, and now working from home in Seasalter near Whistable. He has loads of experience to help you choose. 07768 455 458 marc@mbrodbuiling.com
Mark Tunley Custom Rods. Mark offers a wide range of his own special rods and custom built for river and carp. Hampshire 0790 525 6747
Neil’s Custom Fishing Rods. Neil Warner is based in Northamptonshire and is a regular builder on Harrison carp blanks 0796 6037289
Nick Buss Custom Rods Nick is both a well known carp angler and a well established rod builder. He can give excellent advice on choosing your next rods, and then build them. Kent 44 778 778 0318
Orme Custom Rods Chris builds a lot of distance rods, and sells abroad. He also imports some exclusive components. Ipswich 07733 11 33 21
Peregrine Rods Roger McCourtney is a river specialist, though he offers carp and fly rods as well. He teaches rod building at evening classes, an all round expert! Bath 01761 419311
Resilure, Darren Keats produces unique beautiful rods. Lure rods, specialist rods and carp. 07768 398165
Steve White Custom Rods offers some exclusive rods built on blanks we make specially as well as our standard range. South East based. 07818481963
The Tackle Box A long established shop with expert staff and a team of in-house rod builders. Dartford 01322 292400
Tony Kay Custom Rods Tony mostly makes carp rod and rods for catfish. He occasionally helps us in the factory too. Wigan 07525658802
Everyone in the list above can offer something different. Custom rod builders are always busy, so you may have to wait a few weeks for rods, but it is worth it for something unique built specially for you. Carp is the bread and butter for most builders, but many can offer any type of rod you want, and the majority are very experienced anglers, well able to give excellent advice.
For more advice, ring the factory (0151 709 5981) and ask for Mike Helliwell.
Overseas
Bulgari Custom Rods, Federico Bulgari, Italy
Cevenini Custom Rods, Paolo Cevenini, Italy
Cotes et Lacs who have many years experience with our rods and blanks. France.
Falcon Rod Design Repairs and custom building Belgium
Infinity Custom Rods Koen Verkimpe, Belgium
ORRC Rods Gatttenhaus, Ottmar Wirsing, Germany
Ballay Fishing Rods Jan Ballay Slovakia
La Luciole, Pierre Gagneraud, France
OK Custom Rods, Mureck, Austria.
A few videos from our custom building partners
Mark Tunley Rods
Mark Tunley makes Floats as well as Rods
Calvin-Hancock
cotes-et-lacs
Jan Ballay Stalker
Jan Ballay Torrix Slovakia
Resilure
Resilure make rods a little differently. Superb!
Buzzard-Rods
East-Coast-Rod
East Coast Rods for new rods or rebuilds
Jan Ballay
Jan Ballay with ALPS CAH
ORRC Gattenhaus