Feb. '00
The following are a few replies to emails that have the same requests. The first one that we get is “I need guide spacing for my blank”. First let me say that the place you purchased the blank should have help you. If they did not maybe you should shop elsewhere. If you purchase a blank at, Ono Custom Rods, we will be glad to give you guide spacing as well as mark the blank’s axis of least rotation (spline). Just remember to check all guide spacing by taping the guides on first and loading the rod. Check to see if there are any places where the line touches the blank.
Another one is: “Is there any easy way to strip an old rod?” Yes there is, leave the old rod in the corner and start with a new blank. If you want to strip that old rod there is no easy way. It is going to take time if you want it to done correctly and without damaging the blank. Put aside about 3 to 4 hours just to remove all of the old components and another 2 hours to prep the areas you will be re-wrapping. Do not strip the paint off of blanks that have a surface coat of paint on them. If you do, you are in more even more work. Now replace any worn or rusty part with new ones and begin the re-building. As you can see it is quicker and easier to start from starch.
Then, there is this one: “I just got this reel, or just got this rod, what can I use it for?” Before you buy anything be it at a store or even a Flea Market have any idea what you need and what you do not. If you don’t know what you can use it for maybe you shouldn’t buy. For every “great deal” you have 3 pieces of useless tackle. If you have to buy a new rod to go with that “new” it wasn’t such a great deal.
Finally, there is a saying that I have heard all my life. “A little bit of knowledge is dangerous.” Well with everyone having access to the World Wide Web, surfing the net is very dangerous. Everyone has his or her opinions, many of which are based only in hearsay or even worse pure fiction. Just check any message board and you will find loads of information on fishing but can you believe everything you read? In one word, NO. Just ask someone what is a good 40 lb. blank and you will get hundreds of answers. Most of which will do you little or no good at all.
So what is a poor novice to do? Well, my first recommendation is to rent or borrow someone else’s tackle and try it out first. No one really knows what is best for you except you. What works for someone else may not work for. A good example is that I think the Calstar 760L as a great 40 lb. jig stick. I love short fast tapered rods for throwing the “iron”. But there are not many who would feel comfortable using this rod without first a trying this rod a few times. Some may never get the feel for short jig sticks and that is fine also.
If you do not have any friends that are into long range fishing, then it is best to hook-up with a charter sponsored by a tackle store or manufacturer. It is good way to learn the basic of long range fishing as well as try out different rods and reels. All of the long range boats have these types of charters. On my own 5-day trip I spend more time helping anglers learn the basics than I do fishing. And if I get hooked-up and know that someone on board hasn’t fought a fish yet, they better be ready to land my hook-up.
Take a few trips before you jump in to a tackle buying frenzy. If you have a couple of trips under your belt you will have a better idea of what you can use and what you cannot. Why buy a jig tossing combo when you really like to fish live bait. Just because some sales person or your buddy says you need one is not a good enough reason to go out and get one. Get one because you are going to use it. Do not get hooked into the battle of who has the best or most fishing equipment.
Ono Custom Rods will be taking a couple of short trips this year. Since our annual 5-day trip is full and there are anglers still looking for something to do, we have planned the following:
A summer trip to Loreto: July 12 –17th. This is Big Game Fishing Inc and the Fish Sniffer’s annual Fun Tournament for Dorado. It is 5 days and 5 nights with 3 days of fishing. There is an optional 4-day available. Mr. Ono and Senor Garcia will be fishing, but we will not be entered in the tournament. It just would not be fair to the others if we entered the tournament. If you want more information on this or any other Fun Tournament check out Big Game Fishing Inc. at their web site. Space is limited on their tournament so do not delay.