On this episode of Fishing the DMV, Thomas Arens sits down with Mark from Catoctin Creek Custom Rods, a longtime Northern Virginia rod builder and angler, to break down the science, craftsmanship, and real-world performance behind modern fishing rods.
Mark has been building custom fishing rods since establishing Catoctin Creek Custom Rods in 2009, and in this conversation we dive deep into what bass anglers should actually look for when choosing a rod.
We cover:
🎣 Rod Power vs. Rod Action — What medium, medium-heavy, fast, extra-fast, moderate and moderate-fast actually mean
🎣 Expensive Rods vs. Budget Rods — What separates a high-end bass rod from something like an Ugly Stik
🎣 Custom Fishing Rods — How blanks, reel seats, grips, guides and components affect performance
🎣 Graphite vs. Fiberglass — How rod construction affects sensitivity, durability and weight
🎣 Best Rod Actions for Bass Fishing — Extra-fast rods, crankbait rods, finesse fishing and more
🎣 Drop Shot & Jigging Minnow Setups — Mark breaks down the spinning rods, line and leaders he prefers
🎣 Fuji Guides, Alconite, NanoLite & Torzite — Does guide material really matter when fishing braid?
🎣 Carbon Fiber, Cork, EVA & Winn Grips — How modern rod handles have evolved
🎣 Custom Rod Repair — Replacing guides, rebuilding vintage rods and restoring broken fishing rods
🎣 Shenandoah River & Northern Virginia Bass Fishing — Including finesse fishing, smallmouth bass and local fishing conditions
We also talk about the economics of the custom rod industry, how inflation and material costs have affected rod builders, why some fishing rods cost hundreds of dollars, and whether a custom-built rod actually makes sense for the average angler.
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Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/
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Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us
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LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/
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Max4 Fishing: https://max4fishing.com/
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