Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing Rods => Fishing Rods => Topic started by: Darin Crofton on August 01, 2019, 06:33:45 PM

Title: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Darin Crofton on August 01, 2019, 06:33:45 PM
Hey Gang,
Big shout out to Jeff, aka "Rivverrat", for making me some amazing rods, his craftsmanship is outstanding!
I asked him if he would make me some rail rods after seeing the Boss mention them a few times. I picked
a United Composites Viper RCX76 VIPER and a UC RCX76 CENTAUR and Jeff went to work. He sent me a few
teaser photos along the way and I was chompin' at the bit! When they arrived in a very well packaged pvc
container with Charkbait rod protectors, I was ecstatic to finally get my hands on them, and I was blown
away! My first impression was one of surprise at the beauty of the custom wrap and attention to detail on
the finishing touches! I will post again once I get them on the water and hopefully put some heat on these
bad boys. Thank you, Jeff, for not only some killer rods, but more than that the friendship we now have from
all the many phone calls we had about them and life in general! I highly recommend Jeff to anyone looking
for some custom rods!!!
Darin
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: steelfish on August 01, 2019, 06:41:35 PM
wow.. simple amazing work from Jeff
the components of choice are top class


pretty sure those rods will give you some trophy fish pretty soon.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: mo65 on August 01, 2019, 07:03:17 PM
They look awesome Darin! I'm excited to see how great they look, as Jeff is working on a catfishing rod for me. He's a stickler for perfection...not only in his personal equipment...but also in what he builds for others. 8)
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Newell Nut on August 01, 2019, 09:29:12 PM
Very nice work. You will enjoy them for many years.

Dwight
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: foakes on August 01, 2019, 09:56:53 PM
Thanks for sharing, Darin!

Those rods check all the boxes — no shortcuts in workmanship, materials, strength, and good looks!

Impressive, Jeff!

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Crow on August 01, 2019, 09:57:34 PM
Beautiful !!
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: wfjord on August 01, 2019, 11:06:55 PM
Super nice work and extraordinary attention to detail... as pretty as a fishing rod can get.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Rivverrat on August 01, 2019, 11:49:06 PM
Thank You Darin & to all the rest of you.  This is something I love doing. However beyond making the rod look nice, more than anything this is very important, I want the rod to fit person using it, while at the same time working well for the specific intended purpose. I am still learning this craft. I always will be. I fully intend to always be progressing, getting better at something I love doing.

While I will build on most any blank I like using United Composites for my builds. They have some rod blanks that are not equaled by any other maker. They are completely made here in the US. Randy Penny the owner & rod blank designer has become some one I'm quite fond of.  

A custom rod is not cheap. I am mindful of this. But at the same time I think every avid fisherman needs at least one that exceeds expectations in how it looks & more importantly how it performs... Jeff
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Brewcrafter on August 02, 2019, 01:24:08 AM
WOW! 
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Donnyboat on August 02, 2019, 03:29:18 AM
Great work Jeff, you should be one happy man Darin, hope you get plenty fish with them, & thanks for showing us, cheers Don.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: oldmanjoe on August 02, 2019, 04:06:04 AM
Quote from: Rivverrat on August 01, 2019, 11:49:06 PM


A custom rod is not cheap. I am mindful of this. But at the same time I think every avid fisherman needs at least one that exceeds expectations in how it looks & more importantly how it performs... Jeff
No truer words have been spoken .        A good stick is like the best dance partner you ever had.   Beautiful work...
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: oc1 on August 02, 2019, 07:51:31 AM
They're beautiful Jeff!  Works of art.
-steve
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on August 02, 2019, 10:07:08 AM
Wonderful work Jeff 8)
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Swami805 on August 02, 2019, 11:58:09 AM
Nice work!
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Gobi King on August 02, 2019, 12:11:32 PM
Nice, Jeff well done, those are work of art.

Tell us more about the guides and other parts please.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Rivverrat on August 02, 2019, 01:12:41 PM
Grips are EPDM. A soft but so far very durable foam. Better than some other options. Section of th foam grip are covered with a double layer of heat shrink.

Guides are Alps HXN's. Given my own choice I like Fuji guides. But Alps guides are fine.

 Reel seat is Alps CAH LX. Alps reel seats are probably the best option out right now for heavy durability.
The rest is all just thread work &
marbleing... Jeff
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Decker on August 02, 2019, 04:55:10 PM
Beautiful work!   May I ask, what a "rail rod" is?   Pretty sure it is a rod made with a long fore-grip to lean on a boat rail, but would like to know more...
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Rivverrat on August 02, 2019, 05:16:50 PM
A rail rod is one that is built in such a way that the fore grip can be laid on the rail & used as a pry bar to gain line.  Fiberglass tip with heavy wall lower section.

Primarily used for big tuna to help make short work gaining line when they are doing their death circles straight down close to the boat.

A regular rod of the same line class would most likely come apart used in this manner.

I will add here that Randy Penny made the first ever rail rods when he was with Seeker. He is now owner of United Composites.

The UC line of rail rods is unmatched by any other rods made by any one. They need to be felt with a heavy bend in them to truly appreciate & understand them.

Some of the models in this line up do very well & are extremely practical for other types of fishing. I use 8' Raptors for my heavy rods fishing my favorite rivers. They are great live bait rods... Jeff


Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: conchydong on August 03, 2019, 12:22:56 AM
Very nice work Jeff.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Rivverrat on August 03, 2019, 12:56:37 AM
Thanks, its appreciated... Jeff
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Alto Mare on August 03, 2019, 12:40:54 PM
Jeff, I love the color combination on those...nice job!

Enjoy the rods Darin! i'm sure they'll be around for a very long time.

Sal
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: SoCalAngler on August 04, 2019, 05:04:30 AM
Quote from: Decker on August 02, 2019, 04:55:10 PM
Beautiful work!   May I ask, what a "rail rod" is?   Pretty sure it is a rod made with a long fore-grip to lean on a boat rail, but would like to know more...

First let me say nice looking rod.

Using the rail is really not something new here in So Cal long rang fishing. I saw it done on my first long range trip and that was in about 1980. What is new is a rod designed to do it better. Normally a more stout butt section transitioning up the blank to softer tip, a rod a bit longer is also used to help keep the fish form rubbing the line against the boat when it is time to gaff the fish. This pretty much constitutes a rail rod.

Really the first rods designed like this has do to the use of spectra lines and fluoro topshots. With less stretch in the line one need pulling power (stout butt sections) and a softer tip so the fisherman/fish does not pull the hook with head shakes and alike. Then a tad longer blank soon followed to help with the rail fighting

Other things were added like a longer fore grip, the use of products like 3M's cold shrink or alike to aide in not wearing down the fore grip while using the rail as a lever and going back to older style ring guides and not using roller guides any longer for stand up style fish fighting.

In the last about 10 years rail use has expanded and now is pretty common. Many people are doing it and the manufactures have came out with designs in their blanks to aid in this.
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Decker on August 05, 2019, 12:18:17 PM
Thanks, RiverRat and SoCal for the explanation. 
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Gobi King on August 07, 2019, 01:37:04 AM
Jeff,
Why fuji over alps guides?

Thanks for the details, again those are very nice rods, well done!
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Rivverrat on August 08, 2019, 12:01:20 AM
Quote from: Gobi King on August 07, 2019, 01:37:04 AM
Jeff,
Why fuji over alps guides?

Thanks for the details, again those are very nice rods, well done!

 I believe based on what I've seen that Fuji has much better quality control. I see far less variation within the model & same size of guides among Fuji than probably any other maker I've used. My favorite on my personal rods are Fuji  Alconite. Lite weight with extreme durability.  

 However dont let my preference deter you from using Alps. Over all they work just fine. Numerous very huge, hard fighting fish have been brought to boat & bank with rods sporting Alps guides... Jeff
Title: Re: New Custom UC Rail Rods by: Jeff, aka "Rivverrat"
Post by: Shark Hunter on August 08, 2019, 05:10:49 AM
I have to agree with you on Fuji Guides Jeff. I love them.
Awesome work on those rods my man!
Top Notch. ;)