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Random Quote: You're an accident looking for a place to happen
Can anyone recommend a custom rod builder and/or their experience with builders in New England? I am close to J&B, however, I have heard good things about CMS. Also, I primarily fish offshore for shark, but will be doing some trolling and chunking for Tuna, Mahi, etc. this fall. I have four Penn International V series poles 30-80lb with standard guides? Do I need to go with roller guides, tip, or none at all? I know that some use roller guides, but I would rather not use them if they are not completely neccessary.
I have used Charlie from CMS for many years along with a bunch of my offshore friends. I currently have 20 custom rods build from CMS from bass rods to offshore to custom tuna rods for my 8 and 10 year old children designed especially my boys. I have always been very happy with their work and would recommend them to you. I have some tuna rods that have been in service for 10 year and they still look and function like new. I prefer my tuna rods with out rollers and this past season caught a 300 lb. bigeye tuna on one of Charlies rods.
I am sure you will get different opinions in regards to guides but CMS will build you rods based on your type of fishing after talking to you.
regards
Joe Lombardfi
Strike zone
Also, I am just curious, do I need to go with roller guides or can I just get away with standard non-roller guides? Since it is such an investment, I don't want to get the wrong set-up? What are the overall advantages of roller guides versus standard?
Capt. Squiddy, I like your style and ride (reg - Almost bought a 23')... What are your opinions on roller guides? Should I bother or not? I would prefer to use a traditional rod without roller guides, but don't want to make a bad decision if there are some advantages that I may not be aware of...
Roller guides are very important for heavy line. It allows the line to pass through the guides easier without the possibility of chaffing and also help take strain of of the spine of the blank. I would recommend rollers if your using 50# class tackle or higher. We use them on 50's and up. The 30's have regular guides with roller tips.
All of my offshore rods are CMS rods. All with roller guides. They make a real nice tuna rod. I have 2 of their wire line rods also and they are the best wire line rods I've ever used bar none.
We snapped a 50 set up on a bluefin one evening. The rod was sitting 90 degrees upright in a vertical position. We were in the middle of a feeding frenzy behind a dragger and forgot that the line was in the water. A slob came up grabbed the bait and took off towards the bow. Snapped the rod before we could get to it. Brought it back to CMS and they just happened to have the same rod with the same color wrap and the same gold roller guides. They took the broken rod and gave me a new one. They couldn't believe it broke. I wouldn't have believed it eithe if I wasn't there.
I think they guaranty all their rods for a life time.
The guys down at CMS are great and they turn out some beautiful rods. The prices are very reasonable for custom rods and they are very reputable. I have been building my own and they can actually build you a custom rod in your own color configuration cheaper than you could buy all the parts. Five years ago my brother in law and I got towed around by a 900 pound giant for over an hour in a 23 seacraft on one of their rods without a hiccup. Thumbs up from me. I personally dont own any of their rods but my friends and relatives all do and they work beautifully.
CMS is located on Tar Kiln Hill Rd. in New Bedford, MA. They were once located in North Dartmouth but have since moved to an old mill building in New Bedford. From I-95 Take route 140 North to the Kings Highway exit. Turn left thru lights at the exit and then straight thru the next set. They are located in the building to the left of the small nextel buliding on the second floor. Good luck.
I would also recommend CMS. I have several rod which they built for me and I am very pleased with everything. They are real easy to deal with and very helpful. Last Saturday I went to there sale and I bought two 30-80 rods like the ones your looking for, with all roller guides.
Custom rod builders recommendations? CMS? 
