By Bob & Ginny Riege

About six years ago Ginny and I ventured to the St. Paul Sportshow where we met Kris Kristufek. Kris builds award winning functional custom fishing rods “As Individual As You Are.”

I told Kris that Ginny and I use only premium rods that are so sensitive and light weight we can fish with them all day long. Kris’ reply to me was “Why don’t you sign up for my next rod building class?”

As the class began, Kris explained, “Options abound with anything custom. There is more to a custom rod than just wrapping guides onto the blank. Finding the spine or backbone of the blank begins the process so the rod will track and hold within the built-in torque when fully loaded fighting a fish. The correct number and placement of guides is very important so the rod performs to its maximum potential. Handle materials, shape and sizes are unlimited in scope so that the handle is ergonomically fitted to your hand and arm like a glove. Full handles to split grips to no fore grip are available to lighten the finished weight of the outfit. The fishing experience should be comfortable without causing fatigue in your hand after a day on the water.

I asked, “What else determines what makes a custom fishing rod other than handles and guide placement?” Kris answered, “You will need to find the spine of the rod. For best rod performance, you should find the spine of your rod blank and locate your guides and reel seat either on or opposite the spine. Aligning guides on the spine eliminates the possibility of rod twisting.

“To locate the spine, place the tip of the blank on a solid hard surface, like the kitchen floor, with the butt end up. Place your index finger on the butt of the blank and apply enough pressure to slightly bend the blank. The blank will roll around to the soft side of the spine. This will be the natural bend of the blank every time.

All of LakeLady custom bait casting rods have a spiral wrap. The spiral wrap technique is not new. A gentleman by the name of Roberts, a cat fisherman from Kansas City, is credited with the development. As he fought large river fish, his equipment would twist and turn in his hand. He thought correctly, that there must be a better way, and thus developed what we know today as the “Roberts Wrap” or spiral wrap. Without going into the physics and geometry of the system, it basically turns a casting rod into a spinning rod by rotating the guides from the zero axis to the 180 degree axis with 4 guides. The balance of the running guides are on the 180 degree axis to the tip top. There is a relationship, while under load of a straight line from the reel to the tip top, thus reducing friction all along the blank. Utilizing the physical characteristics of the rod blank is also considered as the rod is built.

The following March, I had Kris make custom fishing rods for Ginny and me, and we picked them up at the Northwest Sportshow. Since that date some 6 years ago, we have fished with only LakeLady Custom Fishing Rods.

If you are in Minneapolis March 26-30 you must visit the LakeLady Rods booth. You can see some of the different rods that can be built exclusively for you with color selection, handles, wraps, guides and be measured so that the handle fits you, the individual. You might also be impressed by the price. Many of them are competitively priced with that name brand rod that you bought off the shelf.

New this year, Kris has informed us that; “LakeLady Rods has added 26 rods to their new series of PELICAN Custom Rods™. Twelve casting rods and 14 spinning rod models will be available. These new blanks for 2014 are truly cutting-edge technology. This exclusive rod manufacturing technology allows for lighter, stronger and much slimmer rod blanks.

According to Kris, “For any angler, a LakeLady Custom Rod is a perfect solution. It is a never-to-be-duplicated work of art, hand-crafted to exacting specifications and custom fitted to the owner’s size and style of fishing.”

LakeLady Rods are designed to be bold, innovative and imaginative for the discriminating fisherperson. Check out LakeLady Rods at www.lakeladyrods.com