I've ordered the Rainshadow IP965 8' one piece 10-20# blank to build my brother with the bad shoulders a Salmon rod. Not sure if I'll use a 10" or 12" rear grip (or maybe a fancy split type) but I plan to use only a 1/2" tapered ring in front of the reelseat so he can lay his fingers on the underside of the blank to feel for bites when drifting.

I want to put a 4"-4 1/2" foregrip a few inches up the blank to create some leverage so he can pull the rod back easier when fighting fish. With a 10"-12" rear grip in mind plus a Fuji type reelseat, how far up the blank can I go with the foregrip before I risk breaking the IP965 blank on Salmon? Thanks.

Hi Tim,
I don't think you would have to worry very much about a few additional inches in the foregrip area. You will slow
the action a bit by effectively moving the handle closer to the tip but I don't believe you will reduce the power and
strength enough to be concerned about and that blank should whip even a large king into submission without
any problem. Besides, if you go to far up the blank with the foregrip it will be uncomfortable to use.
I would be very interested to here from other builders about this myself.
Hey Emory, what do you think?

Thanks Tim and all who respond

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I'd go 12 inch, a split grip will be ok unless he is going to use it on a boat in a rod holder, than they can snag up on you. I haven't a 965 around but the 963 I have here looks pretty good out to about 23 inches.

Karry from Batson's said I could put the top of the foregrip up to 22" from the butt on either the IP904 or the IP965 that I ordered, regardless of the grip configuration I decide on. Why didn't I think to ask them to begin with - duh! Thanks.