Rod Forge is proud to present the first of many seasonal custom rod building contests to highlight some of the best custom fishing rod builders nationwide.
All qualifying custom rod builds must be built on a Rod Forge Mystery Blank – You pick the color and include a Rod Forge decal on the blank (logo decal included with Mystery Blank purchase). Entrants must submit four (photos) of their custom rod builds using the link below. Please review all rules and photo requirements before submitting!
All photo submissions and entries are due by Friday, August 2nd at 11:00 PM EST.
Prizes:
1st Place Prize:
$1,000 Rod Forge Credit
AND
Your rod will be professionally shot, and both the rod and your name will be featured in Rod Forge’s full-page ad in RodMaker Magazine, Rod Forge’s social media, and other media outlets.
Your rod will also be displayed in the Rod Forge Custom Showcase at Rod Forge HQ.
2nd Prize:
$500 Rod Forge Credit
3rd Prize:
$250 Rod Forge Credit
*Rod credits must be used within twelve (12) months of receipt.
How It Works:
Rod builders wanting to participate in the contest must purchase a Mystery Blank from rodforge.com. You can pick the color, but our team will choose a random blank from the Mystery Blank bucket, which means it could be anything from a 6’6” ML NSB Series to a 7’11” Extra Heavy HTD Series.
From there, they will need to make a custom rod that best fits the use of the blank, but also display the unique customization and style of the builder and send four (4) photos of the build.
All four (4) photos of the rod are required. Photos must be as follows:
1) ENTIRE ROD – Photo of the entire rod with the Rod Forge label/sticker visible.
2) HANDLE SECTION – Photo of the handle section of the rod with the Rod Forge label/sticker visible.
3) GUIDES & WRAP – Photo of the guides (or singular guide) with thread/wrap work.
4) REEL SEAT ART – Photo of the reel seat and any art done around or above it.
All photo submissions and entries for the Spring Rod Forge Custom Rod Building Contest are due by Friday, August 2nd at 11:00 PM EST
After we receive all rod entrants, the Rod Forge Team (5 judges) will review all photos and vote for their favorites. We will judge based on overall craftsmanship quality and aesthetics. We will then narrow down our top choices and vote again.
If your rod advances as a finalist, we will mail you a rod tube with a return mailing label so you can send the rod back to us. We will then keep the rod to photograph professionally for Rodmaker, socials, and other outlets. Your rod will also be displayed in the Rod Forge Custom Showcase at Rod Forge HQ.
Rules:
One (1) entry per builder per contest.
No posting of the rod on social media before voting.
Rod Forge blank logo/sticker must be included on the blank and visible on the photo submission.
If your rod is chosen to be a finalist, you must be willing to ship the rod (We’ll cover shipping).
No refunds or returns will be allowed.
Deadline:
All photo submissions and entries for the Spring Rod Forge Custom Rod Building Contest are due by Friday, August 2nd at 11:00 PM EST