Trey Kistler began crafting fishing rods in his garage about 20 years ago, carrying on the family trade. That garage is now part of the workshop where about 10,000 custom fishing rods are assembled annually, said Kistler, president and founder of Kistler Custom Fishing Rods. “My dad got into the rod business back in the ’80s, and so after I returned from the Army, I went to work for him,” Kistler said. “In 1999 I started my own business in my garage. I had learned a little bit from my dad’s business and then decided to do it on my own after he [was terminated from] his company.” The eight employees at Kistler Custom Fishing Rods assemble custom fishing rods from American-made materials and ship them throughout the United States and to countries across the world, including Japan, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, Kistler said. “I am a rod designer in a way thatI assemble a rod in the way I thinkit’s best for my customer,” he said. “My target market is the tournament bass fisherman.” With 100 models to choose from, most of Kistler’s business comes from online sales, he said. However, customers can also stop by the workshop in Magnolia to make a purchase and test out a rod. Models vary in sensitivity, feeling and weight, Kistler said. “The bass fisherman, he’s a serious guy, [and] he loves his good equipment,” Kistler said. “And then you’ve got the enthusiasts that aren’t tournament anglers—they just love good equipment. That’s who we sell to.” The workshop stocks ready-to-go rods for walk-in customers, but custom orders for rod additions, such as labels with holiday greetings or celebratory text, are also available and make unique gift items, Kistler said. “If you can’t find one out of the 100 models, we can make you one even more special,” he said. Kistler said bass fishing is a growing sport with local high schools launching angler clubs, including clubs at Magnolia ISD schools. “I grew up in Tomball and always fished at the local pond, so I’ve always loved bass fishing,” Kistler said. “There’s a big customer base around here—particularly all throughout the South—because we can fish year-round.” Kistler Custom Fishing Rods 30603 Beyette Road, Magnolia 281-259-8033 www.kistlerrods.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.