In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Carlos “Carlitos” Sanchez of Carlitos 395 Custom Rods about California’s ultralight trout scene, custom trout rods, and the specialized gear anglers use to target big trout on light tackle.

Carlos shares how a high school friend introduced him to fishing and how he later got into rod building through BB Custom Rods. What started as helping with prep work and handles eventually turned into his own growing custom rod business, focused heavily on California trout anglers.

Bill and Carlos discuss why trout fishing in California is so unique, from private and pay lakes to the Eastern Sierra and Santa Ana River Lakes. They cover big stocked rainbows, lightning trout, trout tournaments, mini jigs, spoons, light braid, fluorocarbon leaders, and the serious high-end setups many anglers use.

Carlos explains why his trout rods are usually 7’6” to 8’ long, giving anglers better casting distance with tiny jigs and spoons from shore. He also talks about developing his own blanks, using fast actions with a slightly softer tip to work mini jigs, drop shots, and spoons while still having enough backbone for larger trout.

The conversation also covers Fuji titanium AT guides, lightweight guide trains, size 5 running guides, one-coat finish work, Tennessee-style handles, sliding rings, carbon grips, and why keeping ultralight rods balanced and sensitive matters so much.

Bill and Carlos wrap up by talking about lure colors, bait makers like Trucha Spoons, Trout Vet Custom Baits, Get Bent Customs, and SoCal Trout Cartel, plus Carlos’s Carlitos 395 branding and connection to Highway 395 and the Eastern Sierra. Overall, this episode is a deep look at California trout fishing, ultralight rod design, and the innovation coming from a highly specialized fishing community.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]