Building a Custom Float Rod

Posted on March 8, 2010

I decided to go out into the market and have a custom rod built for me. I asked many anglers for suggestions and insight on who they thought would be a quality company to work with to purchase components from. The vast majority said that Batson Enterprises would carry what I would need to put a quality rod together. After a short discussion with Bill from Batson Enterprises, we decided to work together and give anglers an idea of what they can accomplish by building a specific rod for a specific method of fishing.

• Blank - XST1562F
• Guides - XY size 20 (1), size 16 (1), size 12 (1), size 10 (1), size 8 (10)
• Hook Keeper - TCHKS
• Winding Thread - 088-111-5896
• Reel Seat - RA8L2 Hardware RA8L2SKC-SG
• Cork, Reel Insert, Winding check provided by Infinity Rod Creations and Jelinek Cork

I had the opportunity to interview Bill Batson and this guy is truly passionate about his work. He really cares about putting quality products in the hands of anglers and I suggest anyone in the market looking for a custom rod to consider Batson as at least one of the sources for components.

What's new at Batson and what is Batson working on for the upcoming year?

New at Batson's are our economy hand wrappers and dryers. We are working on well over 60 new blank models and new guide designs.

How do you value your customer service?

I believe our customer service is the best in the industry. We are all rod builders and passionate fisherman. We are not a company that just buys and sells products; we are designing it and using it. No one else could possibly know as much as we do about our products with well over 420 different blanks and well over 4000 different rod building components. We know where everything is applicable.

Why should anglers choose your blanks over other manufacturers?

Our blanks are without question the finest blanks on the market in regards to cost VS performance. We are the largest blank supplier in the USA for a reason, no one company sells more blanks than Batson Enterprises, and there is a reason for that.

How long has Batson been in business?

We have been under the Batson Label for 10 years but have been in the industry for 31 years. I remember watching my father build his first custom rod in the living room of our house. We have come a long way since the garage days.

What is the best way for an angler to purchase your products?

We have well over 200 wholesale customers worldwide. Our Authorized Distributors do a great job of getting our products to the market. You can either go to our website or find a dealer near you or you can call us directly and we can recommend a dealer for the products that you need.

How can anglers stay updated on the latest news from Batson?

To stay updated on the latest Batson News you should sign up for our Batson Newsletter that is distributed every other Friday. To sign up go to our website at www.batsonenterprises.com.

Does Batson contribute back to the fishery in any way?

We are always giving back to the community. We are proud sponsors of the CCA, AFFTA, and ASA and are constantly giving to many charitable organizations. We also have a Rod Building Education program that is building the next generation.

Where can anglers read about each product you sell?

You can read about our products on our website, we have a very detailed and easy to understand website. This is a very informative website and if you have any questions my very talented staff of 13 in house team members can assist you.

What does Batson stand for?

We stand for products that are of High Quality at reasonable prices backed up by the #1 customer service in the industry. We are here to help feed families and for everyone to enjoy the "fisherman's "lifestyle.

What are some of the best selling items you carry?

Our Blanks are our #1 selling product, either it be private label or the Rainshadow/Forecast label. Second to that would be our guides, we supply the largest OEM in the USA with our guides (St. Croix) and almost every manufacturer in the USA buys something from us if it be a butt cap to a tip top. Our Cork products are also very popular; our new High End Cork with Cork Composite trim has become very popular.

Is the any support from Batson for anglers who want to build their own rod that might be worried to take on that endeavor?

We have a very extensive "recipe book" of almost every blank we sell. This makes it possible to use our recommendations from blanks to guides, grips and everything you need. Not to mention out technical support, we get hundreds of e-mails and phone calls daily with questions. We are very blessed to be in a position to help thousands of families to feed their families through the products and services we provide and we take that very seriously.

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