Jorge Pozzobon
Registered: May 2007
Location: Passo Fundo - RS - Brasil
Posts: 1,147
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Tue April 15, 2008 8:56pm
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Interesting prototype. I'd like to see more, but they don't send RM to Brasil.
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Scott Sheets
Registered: March 2005
Posts: 45
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Tue April 15, 2008 9:08pm
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Hah Tom, come on man. Couldnt you put a slightly more modern reel on there?? Whats funny is that I learned to baitcast with my Dads old identical procaster to that one when I was in college (2000)
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Tom Kirkman
Registered: March 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,568
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Tue April 15, 2008 9:17pm
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It was all I had for the photo. When I get the finished model done I'll put a Dawia Steez or something on it. I cast this one a bit today and it was surprising how well it worked and... felt. Modern materials and the new super low profile reels make this idea worth revisiting.
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Scott Sheets
Registered: March 2005
Posts: 45
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Tue April 15, 2008 9:23pm
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Hehe, that is really neat Tom. Just teasing about the ProCaster, although the Steez is sweeet.
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Tom Kirkman
Registered: March 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,568
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Tue April 15, 2008 9:39pm
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Hey, a more modern low profile reel is only going to work that much better with this handle. I just didn't have one handy and as soon as the handle was finished I wanted to get it out for some test casting. Also, the rod is 6'6" and I suspended 4 pounds from the tip just to test my math. Everything held. The handle is stronger than the blank by a long shot. Now to test for sudden load application, although I know it will hold up. My figures indicate that it shouldn't even be close.
By the way, the entire handle, grip (9" EVA) cap, seat and magnesium tubing, weigh just under 3.2 ounces.
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Doug Moore
Registered: March 2005
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 435
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Tue April 15, 2008 9:52pm
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Nice Tom, I see a lot of promise with something like this.
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Regards,
Doug
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Chuck Mills
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 213
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Wed April 16, 2008 8:10am
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I must admit that when I saw the Bass Handler in the latest RM I thought it was a clumsy idea. Shame on me for putting creativity in a box!
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Tom Kirkman
Registered: March 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,568
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Wed April 16, 2008 8:29am
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It was, sort of. Just like the older South Bend before it. But with the more modern low profile reels, everything regarding this idea has suddenly become more feasible. A modern nylon/graphite version would be superb, although it would have to be a bit larger than this one (strengh has to come from somewhere). The key is keeping it light and as low as possible. There are some reels this won't work with (height is the key) but for most modern bass reels, this will do fine.
The other handles came of age during a time when most baitcasting reels were large, high, round affairs. That was one reason the idea couldn't catch on.
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Wylie E Wiggins
Registered: June 2005
Location: Shoshone, Idaho
Posts: 78
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Wed April 16, 2008 8:46am
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I like it a lot Tom! I'm just guessing that is the through blank construction and you might have set up a guide ring in the handle section, got pics? Sorry my subscription expired a while back as you probably know. The reel reminds me of the Bantams. 
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Tom Kirkman
Registered: March 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,568
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Wed April 16, 2008 10:55am
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No, the handle is built on a magnesium shaft, the rod blank is inserted into the top of raised portion of the assembly. Much in the way that all casting rods used to be built - handle and blank joined with collet/chuck. This is a permanent mount, however.
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Steve Rushing
Registered: April 2005
Location: Atlanta (Decatur) GA
Posts: 118
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Wed April 16, 2008 1:12pm
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I think when it comes to the fishing industry there is a fine line between gadgets to catch the angler and true innovation designed to catch the fish. This is definetly on the innovation side imo. Will be interesting to see how the "traditionalists" among us anlgers makes the call on which side of the line this lies. But hey, no guts no glory. And also imo its guts to innovate that differentiates custom built from factory built.
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Doug Moore
Registered: March 2005
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 435
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Wed April 16, 2008 1:31pm
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If you had a collet and bushing joining the rod to the seat, you could change out rod lengths and actions as needed.
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Regards,
Doug
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Tom Kirkman
Registered: March 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,568
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Wed April 16, 2008 8:00pm
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Very true, although most all rods used to be made with collets and chucks but they passed out of favor about 2 and half decades ago. Perhaps their time has come around again.
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