Does anyone know the best way to replace a pistol grip handle on a Berkley Lightning rod? I would like to replace it with a different handle, but do not want to damage the blank in the process.

I have replaced the handles on hundreds of these rods. There are two ways to do it, one easier than the other, but also requires cutting the blank.

1. Cut, split and teat the old handle off the blank. This can be a lengthy procedure depending upon how well the factory handle has been installed. Some can be a real pain to get off, while others literally fall off the blank.

Replace with the grips and seat of your choice. You're going on from the butt so some forward shimming of the the grips could be in order.

2. Cut the rod off between the foregrip and seat, or if the seat and foregrip are of the integral variety, cut it at the forward edge of the seat. The area/length of the blank under the forgrip will be used to insert into a new handle assembly.

Construct a new handle assembly of your choice on a piece of aluminum tube or heavy walled blank section and assemble/glue the rod blank into the new handle assembly. Take care to measure and put things back so the rod retains the same length/configuration from the reel seat forward. Rear grip length is up to you.

This is the easier of the two and by far the quickest. But your customer may not want you to go this route. I'd explain the options and let him decide.

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