In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer sits down with Carl Schmidt from Fisherman's Landing in San Diego to explore the rich sport fishing culture of Southern California. Carl shares the history of Fisherman’s Landing and its reputation for pioneering long-range trips, including an upcoming four-day adventure aboard the Pacific Queen, sponsored by Angler’s Resource. The conversation dives into the techniques and tools used in targeting prized species like bluefin and yellowtail tuna, as well as the landing’s cutting-edge practices in live bait handling and fish care. Carl also offers a look ahead to the upcoming season, discussing the region’s unique fishing opportunities and what anglers can expect on the water.

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer sits down with Mike Lum, the director of fundraising for Friends of Rollo and Captain Rollo's Kids at Sea, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving underprivileged children their first ocean fishing experience. Mike discusses the origins of the charity, which was founded in 1999, and its remarkable success in taking over 150,000 kids fishing, many of whom are introduced to the ocean for the very first time. The conversation explores the life-changing impact these trips have, fostering an appreciation for the ocean and potentially sparking a lifelong interest in angling and conservation. Mike also highlights the significant role custom rod builders play in supporting the organization through donations and raffles. Lastly, Mike shares how listeners can get involved and support the cause through donations and by visiting their website.

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer previews an exciting upcoming rod-building event in Alabama, highlighting the key presenters, vendors, and the amenities that attendees can look forward to.

The conversation then shifts to an insightful interview with Dylan Weir and Blaine Kinney of Coastal Worldwide, expert land-based shark fishing guides on the northern Gulf Coast. Dylan and Blaine share their extensive experience in shark angling, offering valuable insights on responsible practices and recounting some of their most memorable catches, including great white sharks. The episode dives into their preferred tackle setups, including rods, reels, leader construction, and circle hook baiting techniques tailored for larger sharks. They also discuss strategies for selecting bait throughout the seasons and tips on using lighter tackle for smaller fish to enhance client engagement. Lastly, Dylan and Blaine talk about the unique guided shark fishing trips offered by Coastal Worldwide and how listeners can book their own unforgettable experience.

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer welcomes Tom and Caroline Lewis, founders of the Kids Can Fish foundation. Caroline, with her father Tom’s support, created the foundation to introduce children and young women to the joys of fishing and the outdoors.

They discuss their mission to break down barriers to fishing by offering free, fully equipped camps and share inspiring stories, including a young angler with disabilities winning a tournament and another discovering a passion for fishing at a Kids Can Fish camp. The episode also highlights their major fundraising event, the Running of the Bulls Charity Surf Redfish Tournament, and how listeners can get involved to support the cause.

Host Bill Falconer is joined by Bill DePriest and Mike Bohn to discuss the upcoming Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show in Costa Mesa, CA. Taking place March 6-9, 2025, at the Orange County Fair & Event Center, this massive event spans eight buildings and features over 600 exhibitors, including top tackle brands, custom bait makers, boat manufacturers, and more.

Beyond the general sportfishing focus, the show also boasts a strong rod-building presence, with major names like Fuji, Batson, and Foundation Outdoor Group attending. The event features rod-building seminars, live demonstrations, and a rod-building contest supporting Warriors on the Water. Attendees can meet top custom rod builders like Jim Trelikes, Doc Ski, and Bill Havens, explore the latest components, and even enter giveaways for world-class rods.

With incredible food vendors, live music, and a family-friendly atmosphere, the show offers something for everyone. Tickets are $20 and available at the door or online at sportfishingfestival.com. Active-duty military and children under 12 attend for free. Don’t miss this premier West Coast fishing event!

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer welcomes one of the hottest names in professional angling, 2025 Elite Series angler Easton Fothergill. Easton’s rapid rise in the fishing world—from high school tournaments in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to dominating the Opens with two wins and an Angler of the Year title—has positioned him as a top contender on the Elite Series.

They dive deep into forward-facing sonar, discussing its evolution, impact on bass behavior, and how it's revolutionized modern tournament fishing. Easton shares his approach to rod setups, including the importance of customization, rod length, power, and reel selection for maximizing performance. He also talks about his journey into rod building, his experiences fishing at Montevallo, and how he refines his gear for an edge over the competition.

Join host Bill Falconer on the Mastering Rod Building Podcast for a deep dive into precision trolling—a technique designed to target fish at exact depths. Inspired by listener interest, Bill invites expert Tom Kirkman, founder of TK Rods and editor of RodMaker Magazine, to break down the essentials of precision trolling. Learn how anglers in the Great Lakes region use specialized rods, crankbaits, and depth control strategies to optimize catches, and why rod speed, spiral wraps, and line counter reels are crucial for success. Tom also shares an invaluable pro tip: swapping out treble hooks for circle hooks to drastically improve strike-to-hookup ratios.

Whether you're a veteran rod builder or just curious about this advanced fishing method, this episode delivers insights you won’t want to miss. Plus, get a preview of Tom’s upcoming seminar at the International Custom Rod Building Expo, where he'll showcase the benefits of spiral wrap rods. Tune in now to gain an edge on your next fishing adventure!

On this episode, Bill Falconer interviews guest Randy "Buzz" Butters, an experienced rod builder and instructor. Buzz covers the topic of ice rod building. Buzz explains how to select the right blank, guides, and components for different ice fishing techniques and target species. Building ice rods requires special techniques to stabilize the blank during wrapping to prevent bending. Buzz has taught thousands of students to build rods over the past 40 years, including through his work with Mud Hole. He discusses the challenges of building ice rods, which are short, thin, and flexible compared to open water rods. Ice rod blanks are made differently than typical tubular blanks, using a solid extrusion process. Buzz shares a DIY tool he developed to hold the blank steady. Other topics covered include guide selection, line choices, safety considerations for ice fishing, and recommendations for pre-built ice rods from manufacturers. Buzz provides detailed, practical advice for those new to ice rod building.

This episode features an interview with Tim Frost, who runs the Line Laboratory website and Youtube channel that provides extensive, objective testing data on fishing lines. Tim started the project during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia when he had time to research and test different fishing lines. He was frustrated by the discrepancies between advertised and actual line specifications, so he built his own equipment to meticulously measure and compare line diameter, roundness, breaking strength, and abrasion resistance.

The Line Laboratory website now has a wealth of data on braided, monofilament, and fluorocarbon lines from many manufacturers. Tim shares how he developed his testing methods and equipment, and discusses the varied responses he's received from brands when presenting his findings. He explains how the data can help anglers choose the right line for their needs, rather than relying solely on marketing claims. The host, Bill Faulkner, praises the thoroughness and transparency of Tim's work and encourages listeners to support the project by sending in line samples for testing.

This episode introduces Dan O'Kane, the founder of Uncle D's Custom Rods and the non-profit organization Josie's Gift. Dan shares his journey into rod building, starting with buying custom rods as anniversary gifts for his wife. He then met Josie Perea, a young girl battling cancer, and built her a special "Tiny Dancer" custom rod. This inspired Dan to form Josie's Gift, which builds personalized custom rods for children with serious illnesses. Dan provides insights on building durable, kid-friendly rods that cater to their unique preferences. The episode highlights the importance of community support and corporate sponsors that have helped Josie's Gift grow. Dan discusses plans to expand the organization nationally and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families through the joy and impact of custom fishing rods.