I'm building a little 6' creek rod, designed for fishing small worms/tubes for smallies.

I have no idea what length of rear grip to use on something like this. I'm not sure I've ever built anything this short.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My guess would be 5-7" behind the reel seat for ME. But you have to be the judge on handle lengths, as you are the user and it matters.

Whatever feels best for YOU!!!! There is no set length for any grip.

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!!

I realize that the length of rear grip is tailored to the user's taste. But, this is a different type of fishing than I normally do. Typically, I'm using 6.5' to 7' spinning rods on large, coverless lakes, where casting distance is key. So, my rear grip length is somewhere around 8-9". That allows me to make two-handed casts with ease.

But, for this river/creek fishing, I'm guessing I'll be making short, quick casts, either while wading, or from a canoe. And, the casts have to be accurate. So, the cast will be more wrist than anything else. . . I think. . .

So, hopefully this post clarifies a bit. I'm looking for a grip length that excels at quick, accurate, low trajectory casts from a canoe/belly boat.

I would go 5 or 6" but that's me. I'm assuming that this is a spinning rod where your hand is pretty much around the reel seat more than the grip. Have you considered an NPS seat and split grip like this [www.rodbuilding.org] Awesome setup.

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!!

I thought that a rear grip should be a least to the middle of the forearm when holding on to the reel seat.

Tery;
that depends on the person and what you are trying ot accomplish. I have a rod I use for target casting spiner baits in tight conditions,
the the handle is only 4" long.

I build rods like that at 4-5", no more. I like the grip to NOT touch my arm at all.

I should have clarified further. It is a spinning rod. Where I live, baitcasting gear would be tough to use for river/creek fishing, as the standard line is 6 lb. test.

I use the NPS seats on almost all my spinning rod builds. However, on this one I used an SKM17 with a cork insert. Just trying to keep this thing as light as possible.

I had guessed around 6", so it sounds like I was in the ballpark.

If it is a lightweight rod, I would consider a Tennesee style handle and either use rings or tape on instead of real seat, that way can adjust to what works and feels best.