The Thrillseeker Special, Corinne’s New Rod

[chuckthrillseek]

Corinne’s New Rod, The Thrillseeker Special

For nearly 2 years now Corinne has been using a Steve Starling Squidgy Bass Spin70 matched with a Penn Applause 2000, it was the closest outfit I could get her to fish with us that had a bit of “Toughness� in it, as a lighter graphite rod would have been broken in our first few outing. Well I’m glad to say she now casts and catches fish much better than a lot I’ve fished with and hasn’t had a mishap with the rod, so after her using my light outfits a few times and her saying how light they are compared to hers, I decided to surprise her and buy her a “Top Shelf� outfit

I started a few months back just before the crash of the dollar, I bought her a Daiwa Caldia Kix 2004 from Japan seeing as I couldn’t find one here, cost me $195 delivered to my door, a beautiful reel at a top price, well when that arrived I hid it away and started to save for the rod which was going to cost a lot more than the reel

I wanted to get her something in the 2-4kg 6’ to 6’6� range as I love my 6’ CC plus in the boat, it casts great and isn’t a hassle length wise and when fishing 3 in the boat it helps, so i spoke to Cindy to see what Blanks they had and at the time they were out of the CC 6’ 2-4kg blank but had the 6’6� CC so I decide to work with that.

I wanted something different and special for the girl of my life so decided to design a rod for her myself and after lots of thinking, measuring and re-measuring I came up with this sketch



I sent it off to Cindy with a big “Please� she showed Steve my design and he said yes, he would make it for me

Well after what seemed like months of planning the new rod arrived Monday and to say I was stoked is an understatement, it was yet another “Work Of Art� from one of Australia’s best Rod Builders, thanks heaps Steve, I’m sure Corinne is going to be over the moon when I give it to her, and the rod bag just tops it off, I’m sure she will love her new “Thrillseeker Special�

A few Photos of the new weapon



Close up of the butt end



The Reel



Corinne’s name on rod and the Thrillseeker Special logo




Close up of reel and winch



And last up all loaded and ready to go



Some stats on the rod: It’s a Black Diamond 6’ 6’ Clear Cut Plus blank with 2� cut off the butt end, making it 6’4� It has 2� front cork then the 4� cork CC Plus Winch with a 2� cork rear grip, 2 ½� of bare blank then the CC plus cork butt, it also has a folding hook holder

I’ll let you know what Corinne thinks of it when I give it to her tomorrow (Wednesday) and a photo too of the happy new owner, then I’ll report back what it fishes like, well thats if she tells me, as I think I’ll be lucky to pry it from her hands

Again thanks to the Black Diamond Team, Steve and Cindy run a great business and I’m sure if any of you out there like what you see, then a “Thrillseeker Special� could be yours too

Cheers chuck

[nabs]

That Looks awesome! I have a normal clearcut and I am very jealous now. Nice work, it looks sweet. Im sure she will love the rod.

[mundz]

that rod looks awesome i guess it was a once only thing though, i also have a clear cut and love it to bits but love the look of that split grip

[Fisherman#1]

Daaaaaamn that's looks sexy!

My hats off to BD for taking the time and effort to make a custom built rod. If I ever have the money and need for a custom built rod, you guys will be the first ones I call! (But don't expect it to be soon!)

Awesome stuff.

[Da'Breamer]

Very nice Chucky she will be stoked,

DB

[landyman]

Awsome.. I really like your butt idea..
How does it feel in hand... it is a good solution to the fantastic short butt not fitting properly in a normal rod holder

Nice touch by Cindy on the bag as well..

I am sure she will be super happy with that.. Someone is going to have lots of "points" soon

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by chuckthrillseek

.....
I sent it off to Cindy with a big “Please� she showed Steve my design and he said yes, he would make it for me...

Damn you Chuck, after looking at the pics I have started a whole new rod design plan... Hope Cindy & Steve say yes OOps, never mind Cindy & Steve, got to deal with "her indoors" first

[Cindy]

I thought I better say something here . Besides the custom options we have always offered on our standard models: we will also do some custom work now as explained in our FAQ's on our website. So, if others want a rod like Chucky's, we are willing to do it. We also are offering customization on our rod bags as well. That is the handiwork of Steve (not me!). We knew it was a special gift for a special lady and took great care in making it happen. We are pleased Chucky is happy. Now, to be a mouse in the corner tomorrow when Corinne gets her Thrillseeker Special!

[Stu_000]

That's Gold Chuck

Throw some of those Brownie points my way

[junior_fisho]

that turned out sweet, is the actual rod very light?

[chuckthrillseek]

Well my ulterior motive worked : when Corinne arrived at my place i surprised her with the new rod straight away she looks at me and said: I thought you had enough rods, to which I replied: yes “I� do, but this is a special rod, so I took it out of the bag, fitted the reel, then showed her, her name on the rod :-*

I then went down on one knee placed the rod in her hand and asked her to marry me, to which I’m happy to say the answer was “Yes� 8-)

so Corinne and I are officially Engaged now, just got to find our resident FSA Minister to perform the duties, when the time arrives ;D

Today I am the happiest man in the world and I can’t wait to get out this weekend and get Corinne’s Engagement Rod broken in

Cheers chuck

i bet Steve has never made an Engagement Rod before

the happy bride to be with her new Engagement Rod :-* :-*

[Hotrods]

awwwwww thats soooooooooooooooooooo cute !!
awsome to hear guys !!!!

so this is the piscatorial equivilent of a pre nup ???

"with this rod i thee wed...now lets fish ! "

naa great effort chuck, happy for you both...

[Cindy]

Hi Chucky~

That is wonderful! You have made history! Steve has never built an engagement rod before. We are delighted it turned out to be such a memorable moment and Corinne looks very happy. This could be the beginning of a new tradition, Chucky, that may lead to wedding rods, anniversary rods, birth of a child rods!

We are very pleased to have a part in your happy day.

Enjoy!

Cindy

[landyman]

WOW - Congratulations..

You sure have set the standard now for any of our unmarried forum members..

Marriage ceremony on the boat is it

[CHOPS1]

Congrats chuck, thats awesome! Well done, corinne looks very happy!
Now to get a fish on that ring, i mean rod!

Great work mate

Chop