I'm building a boat rod for a friends kid. It's a 5'6" med heavy lami graphite 12-25lb test for fishing in the bay. I'd like a longish butt grip but am limited by the factory label starting at 18" from the butt.

My question is how should I divide this between the butt grip, reel seat, and foregrip?

Also how short is too short for the foregrip?

And one more: how short can I make the reel seat? (I'm turning an insert for a Fuji graphite skeleton)

Thanks,

Tony

Is their a particular reason you want the label to be seen? If not. cover it! I never use the factory labels.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Ditto. Don't worry about the label.

Lou

It's a Lamiglas and I don't want to hassle with permission to have a label made for it or with making a long butt wrap to cover the rest of the label. I usually build fly rods and the factory labels are usuallly well out of the way of the handle. Even leaving the label issue aside, what do you think would be good placement measurements for the reel seat and handle, and maybe first guide from the handle? It will be used with a small conventional reel. Boat rods are new to me. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

You might start by measuring the distance from your son's elbow to the palm.
The reel seat would go about that far from the butt end. Of course thats just a
starting point. You can adjust from there for his comfort.
A foregrip is not required at all but for a boat rod you might want a 4-6 inch one
which will cover up the factory lable. If you can, leave off the foregrip entirely.
It's all up to how he fishes and what works best for him!

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

Thanks Raymond,

Tony