12 September 2024
If you’ve ever wandered the shores of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, you might have noticed a few things: the roaring waves, the salty breeze, and if you’re lucky, the sight of an angler wielding a strikingly beautiful surf rod, unlike anything you’ve seen before. That rod was probably made by Nick Walke, a surf rod builder known for his stunning color combinations and top-notch craftsmanship.
Nick Walke’s journey to becoming a master rod builder started early. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, he moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina when he was just 10 years old. Growing up near the water, Nick’s love for fishing developed quickly. He started fishing in freshwater creeks, catching whatever he could find close to home. But soon, the vast ocean called to him, and he began to dream of bigger catches.
A Passion Ignited
During his teenage years, Nick moved from freshwater fishing to nearshore and inshore fishing. However, it wasn’t until high school and college that he discovered his true passion: surf fishing. Inspired by a friend, Nick spent his time chasing tides and reeling in fish, all while balancing his commitments to college baseball and his Marine Biology studies – a major he chose with the hopes of one day getting paid to fish!
From Tackle Shop to Custom Craftsmanship
For over 20 years, Nick worked at a local tackle shop, immersing himself in the fishing world and honing his skills. It was at Hatteras that he encountered custom surf rods for the first time. One craftsman was making brightly colored, intricately wrapped rods that caught his eye, but as a young man, he couldn’t afford one. Nick decided to make his own. His first creations were simple, with black, gold, and silver wraps. But Nick had a vision – he wanted to craft rods that stood out, rods that were as vibrant and unique as the fish-filled waters of Hatteras.
Starting from a humble shed behind his house, Nick’s rod-building hobby quickly grew into a full-time business. Orders started rolling in, and before long, Nick found himself choosing between his job at the tackle shop and his love for rod building. In December 2019, he made the leap, leaving the shop to pursue rod building full-time.
The Art of Rod Building
Today, Nick’s workshop is a separate space beside his house, a place buzzing with creativity and the hum of work. Though he wishes the space was three times its size, Nick is content with the balance he has found. He builds around 300-400 rods a year, each one a masterpiece of design and functionality. Nick’s rods are known for their brilliant color combinations and durable construction, designed to withstand the powerful fish found off the North Carolina coast.
Nick’s favorite part of rod building? The freedom it gives him to fish. “Money,” he laughs, “so I can go fishing!” He spends most of his time fishing in the spring and fall, targeting big drum fish with 13-foot rods.
A Life Built Around Fishing
Nick’s life is as much about fishing as it is about rod building. In the fall, when he’s not crafting new rods, you can find him catching bait for tackle shops, casting nets to pull in mullet by the thousands. It’s hard work, but for Nick, it’s a way to stay connected to the ocean and the fishing community that he loves.
Despite his success, Nick remains humble and generous with his knowledge. His advice to newcomers in the rod-building world is simple: “Find something that suits your style of fishing. Build something better than what you can buy.” For Nick, it’s not just about making a living – it’s about creating something unique, something that makes a day on the water a little more colorful, a little more special.
A Future Filled with Fishing
As Nick continues to build his reputation, his rods are finding their way across the country, from California to Alaska, carried by word of mouth and social media. Yet, despite his growing fame, Nick remains rooted in the Outer Banks, close to the waters that have shaped his life. Whether he’s wrapping rods in his workshop, casting nets in the surf, or sharing a fishing story with a fellow angler, Nick Walke is living his dream – a life built around the joy of fishing and the art of creating something truly extraordinary.
With his dog Waylon by his side and the sound of old country music playing in the background, Nick’s workshop is a place where passion meets craftsmanship, where every rod tells a story, and every day brings a new adventure.
