Customer Testimonials

We build great fishing rods that are made just for you, but you don't have to take it from us. Below are some testimonials from some of the guys and gals we've built custom rods for. You may also want to view our photo gallery which depicts the success our clients are having with our rods.

That mojo I paid extra to have you put in my custom light tackle rod finally worked its way out today. Here's a picture of my new boat record, jigged using a 3/4oz jig and soft plastic.

Truth be told, I'm not sure I couldn't have done it without your rod, and that's not just blowing smoke. There was a decent current and I was fishing a pretty light jig considering we were in nearly 50 feet of water and right smack dab against the Chesapeake bay bridge/tunnel pilings. I got my jig all the way down where there were some good marks, but the depth/current were no match for your rod's sensitivity. I jigged it twice and felt the soft thump as it hit the sand. On the third jig, I was following it down and there was no thump. I set the hook and FISH ON! He started pulling drag right towards the pilings and I knew it was a good fish, plus the current was pushing us into the pilings too. Fighting the fish with one hand, I had no choice but to bump the boat into gear and motor out of the pilings… which gave the rod a test. She was bent over good, but had plenty of backbone even with this current, with a cow on the end, and with the boat running against the current. I was really worried with so many things not ideal about the situation, but long story short, we were screaming and going nuts when the fish was finally in the net – something we could have easily missed were it not for the top notch equipment I had!

Thanks again for my rod – I love it.

Josh Kaptur - Odenton, MD

When I wanted to buy my best friend and fishing buddy, Donny Crowe, a fishing rod for his birthday, Steve came to mind. My wife knew Steve and his wife from school and we had spoke about going to see him about rods before. We contacted Steve and met at his home to discuss what I wanted for Donnie's special birthday gift. Steve took time to show me rods he had made and used on his fishing trips. We decided on the rod, colors, and extras he would make. It turned out exactly as I had wanted it to. The feel and flex of the rod was as if it was a rod I had used for years. I knew Donny would really enjoy this custom-made rod. What I didn't know was that Sherrie, my wife, had told Steve that what ever I order for Donny, he was to build me that same thing. They had spoken behind my back and had it all worked out.

I gave Donny his rod on his birthday and he was impressed with the craftsmanship and the feel of the rod. Nine days later I went to work and Sherrie asked, "Well, how do you like it". I asked what? She said you didn’t see it? Again, I asked what? Never mind she said. At this point I figured I had missed something that morning at the house. When I got home, there it was a rod exactly like I had ordered for Donny. The only difference was Donny’s initials, DEC, were on his rod, mine had POPPY (that’s what the grandkids call me) on mine.

Every fishing trip since our birthdays, the Donny & Poppy rods are on the boat and ready to catch fish. They are our favorites and they do catch fish! Thanks Steve for the great rods you build and for all the pointers you have given me since that Saturday Sherrie and I came to see you.

Wayne Mowdy - Walkersville, MD

After consulting with Steve about how I would be using the rod and what features I wanted it to have, he went ahead and made one for me. My new BCR rod looked great when I picked it up and I used it a bit this year and it was fine but it wasn't until this weekend that I got to use it for what it was made for, light tackle jigging big ocean stripers. The rod really got a good workout and performed just the way I was hoping for. The balance, handle length and action is a combination that can't be found in commercial rods and fits me just right. The result, my best striper to date. Thanks Steve, can't wait to get back out and try it on a bigger one!

Phil Brown - Gaithersburg, MD

To make a long story short, I found Steve on a Tidalfish.com thread. In contacting Steve and talking extensively about fishing. and my personal fishing rod likes and dislikes, Steve made me 4 custom rods.

I got lucky one day during the '07 trophy season up on the susq flats. During that 4 hour / 30 fish barrage; I was able to test Steve's rods against my other brand name rods. I would catch a fish on one of Steve's rods and then cast with one of my brand name rods and there is truly no comparison. I noticed my rods from Backyard Custom Rods are lighter, better balanced and much stronger than any of the other rods I own. Steve set me up with high-end guides for braid line. I ordered extra long cork handles and a cool striper logo and lettering. Overall awesome workmanship and not to mention at a great price. I used to find myself always looking for the next best thing in fishing rods in my local tackle shops and spent countless hours thumbing through all those catalogs... no more... I now simply just call Backyard Custom Rods.

Doug Smith - Downingtown, PA

I was looking for a custom fishing rod for light tackle jigging in the Chesapeake Bay. After looking around on fishing sites I found Back Yard Custom Rods. Everybody was recommending Steve's Rods. So I ordered one and I will say it's the best fishing rod I have ever owned. It's very light and well balanced, and most of all very sensitive to the slightest tap from a fish, and that's very important when jigging. I was also very impressed with the value too. You just can't buy rods like these in the big chain stores. I will definitely be buying another Custom Rod from Steve for the spring rockfish run.

Roger Tregoe - Glenn Burnie, MD

Wow, what a fishing rod!!! Many of my friends had been proclaiming the joys of Steve's custom rods for years so I finally decided I needed my own. From the very beginning, Steve made sure he knew exactly what I wanted from the rod and offered me more choices than I knew existed for a custom rod. When I received it, my jaw dropped. If the rod felt as good as it was beautiful, I knew my expectations would be exceeded. The fit and finish were marvelous. I had requested orange and blue threads on the rod and the shades that were chosen looked perfect together. The rockfish decal and initials adds significantly to the looks while not looking gaudy. When I finally got a chance to fish with it, I wasn't the least bit disappointed. Simply put, this is the most sensitive rod I've ever owned. You can feel every wiggle from the smallest of lures. I haven't caught a monster rockfish with it yet but feel confident that it could easily handle it. I can't wait until my sons are old enough to appreciate their own custom rod. I'll definitely be back to Steve when the time comes.

Dave Osh - Middle River, MD

I purchased a made to order LTJ rod from Steve last year. Steve spoke to me to get an idea what I wanted from a fishing rod, including type of fishing to be done, length of the blank, butt length and material, guide materials and colors. Delivery was quick, and just what I wanted. Light in weight but with a good backbone and excellent feel, I couldn't be happier!

Phil Krausz - Baltimore, MD

Have you ever rummaged around the rods in a tackle store not finding EXACTLY what you want? If you can dream it, Backyard Custom Rods (BCR) can build it. My dream rod was a 6' MH Loomis blank with titanium guides and custom Fugi handle. My choice of garnet and gold wraps on the charcoal blank made for a nice looking rod too... and since I live in Baltimore, it only took a few days to get my rod once BCR received the components.

Phill Anderson - Baltimore, MD

I first fished one of Steve's rods while fishing with a well-known Chesapeake Bay guide. He had a couple of them, and once I tried one I never put it down the rest of the day - it was that good. Since then I've gotten my own and it is, without a doubt, the sweetest rod I've ever used for LTJ-ing stripers and blues. It's an excellent piece of craftsmanship, and I highly recommend it.

Larry Freed - Annapolis, MD

Steve has built me about 9 rods so far. They are great! Very good craftsmanship. Every little detail that I wanted he got it on there. From my initials to the fish decals. I am very fond of my 6'6" bait casting rods he built me last year. Plenty of backbone and power. These rods have caught just about everything from big rockfish, large blues and even Tog. They are FANTASTIC!! Would not have anybody else build me custom rods.

Rob Boyer - Thurmont, MD

I got a custom made 6ft spinning rod for flounder fishing. It not only looks great and catches flounder, it also had enough backbone to handle both a 30" sand shark caught while drifting and a 26" striper caught while trolling. I couldn't be happier with it. Quality materials and workmanship at a fair price.

Ed Dorsch - Nottingham, MD