Based right here in Louisa, Michael Culp has spent 35 years perfecting the art of custom rod building, turning his passion for fishing into a craft that has earned him customers from all over the country.
“If there’s a fish that swims, I’ve built a rod for it,” Culp said, expression his passion for both building the rods and fishing with them.

His journey into rod building began unexpectedly in 1989 when he was asked to build a rod for a young boy in Florida. At the time, he had never attempted to make one himself, but he accepted the challenge, setting up two cardboard boxes as a makeshift workstation and hand-wrapping a surf rod. What started as a favor soon became a lifelong pursuit, as Culp realized he had both a talent and a deep appreciation for the craft.

“I prefer saltwater fishing because that’s what I grew up doing in Hatteras, North Carolina,” says Culp. “But I love going up into the mountains to use a fly rod to catch trout, too.”

Culp’s dedication to quality sets his custom rods apart from the mass-produced alternatives found in big-box stores. Each of his rods is hand-wrapped with care, using only the highest-quality components from top manufacturers. Whether it’s an offshore trolling rod, a bass rod, or a fly rod, every piece is designed for durability, performance, and a personal touch.

“I don’t make cheap rods,” he explains. “Everything I build is made with the best materials I can find—from the rod seats to the grips. I do custom inlays, fancy thread wraps, and precise grid spacing. Every rod is built to be as unique as the person using it.”

Culp’s customers aren’t just looking for a fishing rod; they’re looking for a rod that fits their exact needs, style, and fishing habits. Some come to him with special requests—like a gift rod wrapped in college colors for a graduation present. Others are dedicated anglers who want the perfect balance, action, and aesthetics tailored to their fishing techniques.

Today, when he isn’t building rods, Culp is fishing—whether it’s crappie at the bridges of Lake Anna or chasing big bass in the quiet back creeks away from heavy boat traffic.

“I’ve caught quite a few big bass at Lake Anna,” Culp says. “And this time of year, I go to the bridges to catch crappie.”

Go to michaelscustomrods.com for photos and video.

Jen Bailey

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