Fishing Guides

Big Dady Custom Rods Frog & Slop Rod

 

 

Data for Review

Date – Summer, 2009
Manufacturer – Big Dady Custom Rods
Reviewed by - Andrew Ragas

 

 

 

 

About Big Dady's Custom Rods

 

During the winter of 2008, the Fishing Headquarters was in the process of contacting various tackle companies for the purposes of online sponsorship for the website. After hearing several positive reviews from certain anglers, and successful internet searches, Andrew Ragas, owner of Fishing-Headquarters.com, became convinced that Big Dady Rods was a viable option for becoming a website supporter. After several e-mail exchanges, both parties agreed that they could come to agreement and benefit from working together. So far, the marriage has been a successful one.

 

Big Dady Rods, owned by Randy Emerich, is operated from Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Emerich has been a fisherman for over 45 years and in that near half-century period of time with fishing rods, he has found that you only get what you pay for. As a young angler, he was always in pursuit of that perfect fishing rod, often finding that the mass-produced factory rods didn't always fit everyone's specifications and styles of fishing. Quality was what he wanted. Soon, he discovered custom made rods.

 

Emerich writes, "When I held my first custom rod in my hand, I knew that was the rod for me. But the cost! I was paying many times the cost of a store-bought rod. I found the quality, but how can I find the affordability?

 

Good question. Here's his answer:

"Factory rods are made by people, so why can't I just make my own? With a lot of research and trail and error, I found that almost perfect rod. The rod that I built. I can pick out my own action, my own length, and even my own handles. I can make a rod that fits me, not some rod that fits many."

"So, what can I do for you? Simple. Let me build that rod for you. Let me show you the experience and craftsmanship that I put into all my rods that I build. There a lot of rod builders out there and most build nice rods, with a nice price to go with it. I feel that everyone needs a good rod to fish with, even if it just one. Why should they pay a high price for it? I try to give my customers more for their money than just a nice rod. I give them something to be proud of. Fishing is a sport and we should all use the best equipment that we can afford to compliment that experience. My customers agree."

 

Big Dady Rods is capable of building any kind and type of fishing rod, whether it is for spinning tackle, baitcasting gear, fly fishing, ice fishing, and deep-sea. It does not matter. Anything is possible, from custom cork handles, reel seats, guides, and blanks. Emerich sits down with each of his customers to customize the rod to their reel for optimal performance. He offers personalized names on each rod along with any special event.

 

"We build our rods with top quality components and stand behind every rod we build," writes Emerich. He concludes, "We've even gone further than most warranty claims and we do our best to serve your needs."

 

 

 

Impressions:

 

During the winter of 2009, I was in the market for a multi-purpose casting rod with heavy action. Specifically, I was in search for a rod that could handle Bass in the slop by fishing with surface frogs, and casting for Pike.

 

Luckily, the website was already sponsored by Big Dady Rods at the time, and since my main obligation with this partnership was to test and review some of Big Dady's Rods and then simply enjoying them, and at the same time not having anything suitable for froggin', I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me to ask Randy on what he could provide in a new rod.

 

First, Randy had asked me what I needed this rod for, and then wanted to know what kind of a casting reel would be mounted on it.

 

I told him I wanted a multi-purpose frog rod. In addition, I wanted something on the side that I could cast with for Northern Pike. As for the reel, I was planning on mounting my Quantum Tour Edition.

 

Eventually, we found a perfect match in terms of rod weight, and then in color as it was a perfect aqua blue fit with the reel.

 

 

The rod given to me was a 7-foot 2-inch rod specifically designed for surface frog fishing. Like the Lamiglas rod I received for flipping and pitching, this rod possesses the same weight and line capacity. The glass scrim is not as thick as the Lamiglas which consequently makes this rod lighter to the feel.

 

Meanwhile, the blank is a Swampland black and reel seat is a Fuji. The guides, both stripper (Blue Zirconium), up to the tip-top, are Batsons. Lastly, the hook keep is the old design from Batson that was originated by Kistler on their rods.

 

On the water uses

 

Casting & Retrieving:

 

The type of water frequently fished with this rod were weedy backwaters and bays - the types of places where fishing the frog is at its finest. In addition, for Pike, this rod was used in a lot of open-water casting situations with smaller swimbaits, rattlebaits, and chatterbait-styled search lures.

 

What I enjoyed most about this rod was the fact that its length of 7-feet, aided by small guides wrapped close to the blank allowed for some serious long casts. In some scenarios, we are talking upwards to 50-yards!

 

Power:

 

This combination was all about power. I believe that this rod's trademark lies in its strong Swampland blank which enabled me to horse around with some excellent fish, then followed by the reel that was mounted on it which pretty much signifies power in the retrieve - Quantum Tour Edition TE1170, designed for fast-paced reeling and its blazing 7.0:1 gear ratio.

 

 

Ergonomics and Design:

 

I would not consider myself to be a frog fishing fanatic, but despite being designed specifically with frogging in mind, the rod's design proved to be beneficial in many facets of the game.

 

First, long casts enabled me to cover water when in search-and-power fishing mode. Thank the rod's length and guide placement for this one.

 

Second, the fuji reel seat allows for sensitivity while fishing otherwise snag-loaded and heavy cover areas.

 

 

 

Construction & Quality:  For a custom build and being on a budgetary limit of getting something pretty basic, I feel that Randy gave me the best that he had available for the price. The rod in terms of blank and guides is well-built. Only complaint is the lack of a handle.  8/10

On The Water Uses:  Great and specifically for frog fishing. Decent enough for some Pike action. Wouldn't recommend this rod for all-day casting.  9/10

Design (ergonomics):  Rod is lightweight, and strong for horsing fish out from cover. The guides allow for smooth casting, and Fuji reel seat enables greater sensitivity. However, short handle is poor for leverage and when casting half the time it felt as if the rod was on the verge of flying out of my hands and into the lake. Otherwise it would get a perfect score.   8/10

Presentation:  Use it for frog fishing. Burn with buzzfrogs or slowly crawl with floaters through the slop.   9/10

Price:  I got this rod for absolutely free, so I cannot complain. But if I originally was a buyer and had to pay the listed $150 price for it, I'd expect to get slightly more value and maybe a little more performance from a $150 rod.  9/10

 

Average Final Score = 8.5/10 

 

Positive:

• Custom built rod. Randy can make anything!

• Rod was matched perfectly in color to my reel.

• Fuji reel seat.

• Can handle the thickest of cover.

• Great customer service and no-excuses warranty.

• Amazingly strong backbone.

Negative:

• Handle too short for leverage on big fish and inadequate for long distance casting.

• Felt butt end of rod not durable.