I have been reading the "expensive hobby" thread and it has got me wondering about my next rod. You see I want my next rod to be an 8 or 9 weight, saltwater capable, fast action rod. I would like it to have a removable fighting butt, and I was hoping for a rod action similar to the TFO TICRX series. I have built baitcasting rods before, so the idea of building one is not completely out of the question for me. what is out of the question is spending 200-300 on this rod. (please understand that this is not an immediate project, I am a student and have school to pay for right now, so at this point this is mostly theoretical)

With that in mind, what would it cost to build a good rod of that description? What materials would you use? Also remember, I have very little use for bling, it just has to do everything I ask it to, which is throwing big flies into the wind and dragging big fish out of heavy cover.

Thanks

Fish