FUJI New Products: Ways to Reduce Weight Within Your Rod Build
In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime rod builder and RodMaker Magazine publisher Tom Kirkman about how reducing unnecessary weight can improve fishing rod performance without sacrificing strength or durability.
Bill and Tom discuss some of the biggest opportunities to cut weight in a custom build, including FUJI Titanium Guides, MC Guides, Torzite Guides, and Carbon Fiber Grips. They explain why weight in the upper half of the rod matters most and how lighter guides, smaller components, shorter wraps, and less finish can improve rod speed, recovery, and overall efficiency.
The conversation also moves into the handle, where carbon fiber grips, grip coring, lightweight arbors, and proper reel-seat installation can remove significant weight. Tom explains how builders can maintain the look and craftsmanship of a custom rod while eliminating material that adds weight without improving performance.
Bill and Tom also discuss rod balance, sensitivity, guide selection, and why custom builders should not be afraid to mix components or modify traditional setups to get the performance they want.
Throughout the episode, Tom emphasizes a simple principle: do the most with the least. The goal is not to make a rod as light as possible at all costs, but to use components and building techniques that produce the lightest rod capable of reliably doing its intended job.
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/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jp
American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.net
Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.au
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/ • fuji@calico.es
Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.it
Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
