How do I go about choosing the length of the handle on an 9.5' blank that is going to be used with a spinning reel. Is it a ratio of the overall length, the length of my forearm. or?
Has this question been asked and answered before and I didn't catch it when I did a search on handle length?

The rod blank is a Lamiglass ESH 114 2L That will be used for trout fishing in the Colorado Lakes and Res. in the high country
Darby Nelson



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2007 11:42PM by Darby MP Nelson.

As far as I'm concerned...and barring just a few specialty applications...a rear grip should extend no further than 2" short of your elbow while holding the rod in a fishing position. Any longer than that and it just gets in the way. Its constantly catching on clothes and rain gear.

What "looks good" would be a very low priority unless this rod is going to just hang on the wall.




...........................................

Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Seems to me that would depend upon the use of the rod, line tests, etc. For example, a rod to be used for offshore big game fishing may have a longer rear grip if the angler is going to use a fighting pad. A surf spinning rod will have a longer handle for better casting properties while a trout rod may likely just have a rear grip extending down to the elbow when held one handed.

You may just want to let us know what your building and what you are using it for so we can give you some recomendations.

i just put on what i like....for my spinners i use with windcheaters, big storm lures, etc i like a long butt that sits nice under the underarm....and for my top water rods i like a grip thats not so long that it gets hung on my shirt when im working the lure

it just depends on what you like...figure that out and then make it that long and youll be much happier that way instead of making it for looks

114 is a 9'6" blank.

For whatever my 2 cents is worth, I'm with Jon. I've tried the "just past your elbow" method, and really didn't like it. Maybe it's how I do most of my spin fishing -- standing hip-deep in the surf, tossing 3 oz. wooden plugs -- but I much prefer the rod butt to be securely under my arm while I retrive. On a recent spinner I built, I tried configuring the rod so the butt cap was right in my armpit, but I didn't like that -- the cap was too bulky and uncomfortable. I ended up placing the reel so the butt cap was just past my armpit.

This is just my preference, though. The 'right' place to put the reel is where it works for the guy who will be fishing it.