What's the advantage of the Aftco bent butt rods, and why isn't that advantage taken by any other types of rods?

Possibly related to leverage? Could it be that they provide some benefit to being used in a fighting chair? Other types of rods (fly, casting, etc...) are not used in such a situation.

Bret, I'm thinking it's leverage myself. Which is what got me thinking - most of the rods I build are for Party Boats, where a lot of peopel will use the rail. Casting isn't important, as you can only cast underhand (although you can flip it out pretty far).

It might be advantageous for certain rods to have a curved butt, maybe not curved, but offset on a downward or upward angle, to maximize fish fighting. Not that there is anythign wrong with the rod being straight, it's just htat Pistol grip and remembering the Japanese reel seats (I think the old Fenwicks?) are a little bit offset.

As per AFTCO.....

[www.merricktackle.com]

The curved butts give an angler much more leverage on fish than straight butts. They are typically used for fighting chair situations although they can be had in short stand-up styles also. For stand-up fishermen to really take advantage of a bent butt they should use a harness. Withought a harness the rod tip would have to be raised an undesirable amount for the angler to reach the forward grip...this would negate the possitive effects of the bent butt. A forward grip on most bent butt rods is totaly useless in my opinion. Also keep in mind that the long chair unibutts are EXTREMELY heavy...but they were designed to be used in a chair so a 30# rod/reel combo isn't out of the ordinary.

Chair rods (bent butt or straight butt) are typical along the east coast while not very poplular along the west coast. They gain poplularity once again mid-Pacific when you come across the Hawaiian Island chain.

Jay

Standing up with a short bent butt.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Jay

Jay, Is that you in the Picture - I just saw it an hour ago, ...

Doesn't the bent butt bring the reel CLOSER to the angler's torso, so he does not have to lean forward so far, as he might on a straight-butt trolling or stand-up rod? ...

And a bent-butt lets you keep your elbows closer to a 90 degree angle, and let's you turn your reel crank from your elbow, rather than having to power the locomotive eccentric from your shoulder?

The rear handle section has to be a certain length somehow to keep a rod & reel in the rod holders of the boat's gunwale's, or the rocket launchers over or behind the helm.

It seems like the bent butt gives a long enough rear handle for the rod to ride securely in a typical rod holder, while bringing the reel-winch closer to your body, so fatigue is less on you and more (we hope) on the fish.

Is that the idea / deal? ... -Cliff Hall+++ Happy Easter

On my heavy straight butts I generally like to use 8" slick butt sleaves. This also puts the reel closer to the torso and the angler's center of gravity.

Yes that's me...don't hold that against the rod!

Jay

Greater length between the butt and reel seat provides more leverage for the fishermen. But there is IGFA regulation on a maximum length between the two so curved butt is way of getting extra length between them still staying by the rules.

Sudibyo C. Rammonhar
As-Salaam Alaikum

put simply it takes the strain off your back

allen