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Contrarian
I am going to go contrary to the advice about buying a kit. If you want to learn the most from your first rod, I would suggest you get a list of all the components necessary (I think there is one on HookHack.com) and read up on rod building. Take the time to learn the characteristics of different blanks and components. Take your list and go to the supplier websites and poke around (most of the best web retailers can be found on rodbuilding.org). Decide the type of rod you want (weight, length, action, price, etc.). Then fill out you list of components that best matches that rod.
I guarrantee you will learn more about rod building this way than buying a kit. Once you get your list together, either e-mail or call the retailer and have them look at it for any major mistakes or omissions. All I have ever dealt with have been very helpful. My favorite retailers are Dan Craft, Mud Hole and Schnieders Rods, but there are a lot of other good ones.
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Why not build the Tiger Eye you want, then you will have a great fishing rod from your first build? Kits, even Forecast, don't get much lower priced than this:
http://www.nealsfishingtackle.com/tigereye/teye_3b.html
I have purchased from Neal once before, seems a-okay.
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Ask a lot of questions. My preference on a first ever rod buy a kit. you are not going to learn how to buy components from a kit but you will find out if it is something you really want to do, and as previousely mentioned no matter how good or bad that first rod is use it!!!!! This is the rod you will never forget. If you mess up building the rod who cares we can fix it. Therre are so many pro's here I am sure there is not a mistake that can not be fixed. I say go for it with gusto and watch the addiction.