I have a bunch of medium light and med action rods ( 8-10 lb braid) but only one med heavy rod ( 20 lb braid) for dock fishing and for mangrove snapper offshore. Last month about 35 miles out I was reeling in a nice mangrove snapper and a Goliath came out and ate him. Somehow my rod slipped out of my hands and went 70' down:(. It was a gl3 7' med heavy fast action rod. I really liked it, and had it for 7 years, but being my only MH it needed to be replaced.
When it came time to replace it, I had my mind made up I couldn't spend $250 for a rod that if broken, would have to be mailed back to the company, for them to decide weather or not it is a manufacturers defect and weather or not they would replace it. Or would they say " it's not a defect, You can replace it for $150".?
Then I remembered a post by Dom Bernardoni saying he was starting a production line that would offer an over the counter no questions asked warrantee for his rods. The price was $180 ($160 for BBF members) and all rods are made in the USA. I also like the idea of supporting a local ( s Ga) guy trying to start something that to a large Japanese company.
I called Dom, and his production line won't be ready until spring. Also the rod I wanted replaced was a little heavier than what he was making in his inshore line. He said for the same price he would build me exactly what I wanted. Because it is custom, here isn't an over the counter warrantee, but he said he would build me another at no cost if it broke for any reason. So that is why I went with this rod over a Loomis, st croix, shimano, etc. so I called him up, explained what I wanted and we started the process of getting me exactly what I wanted. About 2 weeks later I was driving to Thomasville to meet him to pick it up.
The rod review, It is a 6'10" med heavy fast action spinning rod. It has a small forgrip( something new to me, so I can keep a finger tip on the blank, not on the cork). He cut the treads down so there are less plastic threads in you hand. It also has semi micro guides( another first for me). The blank is very responsive and loads very well. I can cast a weedless jerk bait much farther than I could with my GL3. The finish is as good or better than any production rod on the market. I really like the guides, I didn't have one wind knot all day. I think( imho) this is as good as any under $300 rod on the market. It also seems to have good mojo, caught 4 midslot reds on the first trip. Forgot to mention, it looks awesome!!!
Semi micro guides
Larger guides, for braid
Small forgrip
Drop shot hook keeper( don't have to undo weedless)
Cut down threads
The orange and blue was my choice ( don't worry the production rods will be all black)
Southern Customs will get all of my rod business going forward. Hopefully they will be in local stores in the spring, but if you can't wait, call Dom and he'll get you fixed up w a custom for the same price
229-894-0097
Southerncustomrods@yahoo.com
(I don't have that problem as long as she gets her own new rod/reel/lure to go along with mine)