How to Make a Fishing Rod That Will Fit in a Suitcase

Choose Materials

• 1

  Select a rod blank. These are made from different substances, including graphite and fiberglass. Different materials and lengths of the rod blank are used in different types of fishing, so choose accordingly. Also, in order for the finished rod to fit in a suitcase, it will need to collapse to a small size, preferably shorter than 2 feet. In this case, a 6- or 8-foot rod blank will come in three to five pieces manufactured to be easily joined together into one long rod.

• 2

  Select a handle kit. This includes a reel seat, where the reel and fishing line will sit, and a handle made of either cork or foam.

• 3

  Select guides, which are the rings that guide the fishing line along the pole. Depending on the length, diameter and type of your rod blank, you will need a specific number, diameter and type of guides. Also, the type of fishing to be done will determine the size and weight of the reel. As a general rule, there should be one guide for every foot of the rod.

• 4

  Select fishing rod wrapping thread. This will secure the guides to the rod and provide accent and color to the fishing pole. The type of fishing, including whether it will be in saltwater or freshwater, will determine the size of the thread.

Build the Rod

• 5

  Assemble the rod blank by inserting each piece into the end of its adjacent piece -- fitting together from the widest diameter piece to the narrowest.

• 6

  Place the rat tail file into the end of the cork or foam handle. File it until the hole is big enough to fit onto the thick end of the rod blank.

• 7

  Slide the reel seat down the rod blank until it lines up with the cork or foam handle. Mark the point on the rod blank where these pieces meet, using a marker. Then remove the handle and the reel seat from the rod blank.

• 8

  Mix epoxy as directed on the label. Apply it with a small paintbrush to the rod blank -- where the handle and reel seat will meet. Continue to spread epoxy where these pieces will attach to the rod blank.

• 9

  Slide the handle and reel seat back onto the rod blank, and line them up to the place that has been marked. Wipe away excess epoxy with a rag and some paint thinner, if necessary.

• 10

  Let the epoxy dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, which should be about 15 minutes.

Apply Guides

• 11

  Lay the rod on an elevated surface that will also hold it level.

• 12

  Mark the placement of the guides based on the length, thickness and material of your rod blank. These marks should be approximately every 1 foot along the length of the rod blank.

• 13

  Apply glue to the bottom of the largest guide, and stick it to the mark closest to the handle.

• 14

  Wrap the thread around the guide's base multiple times, leaving no space between loops. Continue wrapping until the entire base of the guide is covered with a layer of thread.

• 15

  Make a loop in another piece of thread, just before you're done wrapping the guide's base. Lay this loop across the wrapping, pointing it in the direction you are building the wrapping. Wrap over this thread several times, then cut off the original wrapping thread. Feed the cut end through the loop, then pull this back under the wraps around the guide's base. This will secure the end of the wrapping thread tightly against the rod.

• 16

  Trim excess wrapping thread.

• 17

  Repeat steps 3 to 6 for all guides.

• 18

  Apply glue or epoxy to the end of the blank. Press the tip onto the blank and allow it to dry, which should be about 15 minutes.

• 19

  Apply color preserve with a small brush to each guide wrapping. Slowly rotate the rod during this application and drying for best results.

• 20

  Allow the finished fishing pole to dry for at least two days before disassembling the rod or adding fishing line.