Rod Building Competition 2025

We’re back for another incredible year of Australian rod building! We are looking for Australia’s best rod builders and we want you to showcase your creativity and craft functional, custom rods.

Once again, based on the success of the Amateur Division, we will be running both Professional and Amateur categories. The Amateur division is perfect for those who haven’t sold a rod yet and want to dive into rod building or refine their skills.

And with the holiday season fast approaching, why not make this an unforgettable Christmas gift for Dad? Give him the chance to build something unique, and who knows – he might even take home a prize!

Professional Rod Builders Challenge Division Rules

You order online via your account. Upon receipt of the rod, you’ll receive a $150 credit to your account if you drop the rod to the office, or a $200 credit if you freight the rod to the office. We’re thrilled to announce the cash prize for first place continues! The winning rod will be kept and displayed in our “Rod Building Hall of Fame” for all to admire.

Prizes will be awarded for places first, second and third, fourth and fifth. First place will receive a $1000 Cash and a $1000 rod building gift certificate from Fuji, second place $750, third $500, fourth $250 and fifth $250. 

Fuji is proudly the major sponsor of this year’s competition! All Fuji components for your build can be purchased through Frogleys Offshore. Simply complete the registration form at the bottom of our website.

  • You must use Fuji guides and tips (purchased from Australia)
  • You must use Fuji reel seats (purchased from Australia)
  • Build the rod as you think it should be built
  • The challenge is to showcase Australian Talent, so any painting or electro painting must be done in Australia and done by you the builder
  • No social media posting of your work before the competition.

Points will be awarded in a 1-10 format on the following areas.

  • Appearance
  • Feel
  • Grips
  • Guide Placement
  • Guide Straightness
  • Threadwork
  • Finish Application
  • Design
  • Choice and flow of components
  • Innovation
  • Handle Design

Amateur Rod Building Challenge Rules

To enter this amateur division, you must not have sold a custom-built rod, or repaired rods commercially (being paid for service) in the past 10 years to anyone, including friends and family. If you’ve previously sold a custom rod, you won’t be eligible for this category. You must enter as a Professional.

Upon registration, you’ll receive a link to purchase an estuary kit featuring a CG3 blank, Fuji O-ring guides, Fuji tip, Duralon grips front and rear, aluminium parts and matching Speed thread, plus Erskine 3337 epoxy. We give you a $100 discount on the kit you choose and free shipping. That’s approximately 50% off!

Amateur prizes are for first, second and third. First place $500 RRP voucher to build your ultimate rod, second place $200 voucher and third $100 voucher.

Fuji are the major sponsor of the competition. You are limited to one kit only for the competition and must use all the components supplied on the build, judging will be based on placement and looks of the rods for this category.

The kit comes in Grey or black 

Grey Kit

Speed Grips grey, Fuji DPS spin seat, Speed purple butt plate, Fixed Hood Collar, Check Pipe and Winding Check. Fuji K ‘O’ ring guides in 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 20, Fuji Tip 6/1.6, Speed thread grey and metallic purple, Erskine Expoxy, and CG3 7′ 2pce blank 6-12lb 

Black Kit

Speed Grips black, Fuji DPS spin seat, Speed light gold butt plate, Fixed Hood Collar, Check Pipe and Winding Check. Fuji K ‘O’ ring guides in 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 20, Fuji Tip 6/1.6, Speed thread black and metallic glitzy gold, Erskine Expoxy, and CG3 7′ 2pce blank 6-12lb

  • You must use all components in the kit supplied except thread. You can add additional/different thread colours beyond what is supplied in the kit. They will charged at RRP pricing.
    • You can shape grips
    • Guides, tips and reel seats must be as supplied and unpainted
  • Build the rod as you think it should be built
  • You are allowed to put images and information on social media as your build progresses. Use hashtag #25FujiRodChallenge

Points will be awarded in a 1-10 format on the following areas.

  • Appearance
  • Grips
  • Guide Placement
  • Guide Straightness
  • Threadwork
  • Finish Application

Judging Info for the Competition

Pro Rod Builders Category

The top ten rods from the Rod Building Division will be displayed and judged live at the 2025 Australian Fishing Tackle Trade Show on the Gold Coast. Preliminary judging will occur on June 30, 2024, at the Fuji Australia head office (6 Piper Drive, Ballina NSW 2478), with a panel of top Australian tackle industry experts.

Professional rod builders are responsible for shipping rods to be received at Frogleys Offshore by June 30th, 2025, and Frogleys Offshore will cover return shipping.

Amateur Division

By May 15th each entrant will upload images of their build as per the following examples.

 

From there the top five rods will be selected to progress to the final round of judging. Amateurs will be notified if they progress to the next round and their rods will have to be sent to the office for judging.

Frogleys will provide assistance with Amateur rod builders to send their rods to be received by June 30th, 2025, and Frogleys Offshore will cover return shipping. Please contact the office.

The final Amateur Division judging take place in Ballina on July 5th, conducted by Fuji and Frogleys staff.

General

All winners will be announced on the Custom Built Fishing Rods website and the Custom Rod Builders Facebook page, and showcased on Fuji’s website and social media.

If you have any questions please contact Frogleys Offshore 02 6681 3988.

* Rods are to be received at Frogleys Offshore head office by June 30th 2025.

When you enter, you will receive a document, with division info, where to send the rod and a link to the submission form for professionals and the upload form for Amateurs.