Hello Everybody,

How do you determine the proper length of the rear handle of a split handle rod to fit a customers needs, specifically on Freshwater Bass Technique rods?
( i.e. Dropshot, Carolina Rig and etc.......)

Thanks,
TONY

For me, it's a function of fulcrum (where I want it) mitigated by how much handle I can actually have without getting in the way of fishing. Arm length plays a role here, you might want to actually sort this one out in person as it depends on how they actually fish and hold a rod. I often counterbalance with a smidgen of weight, it's just not feasible to have THAT much handle behind the reel.

Careful on guessing here, too much handle on a given rod can get in the way and impede the performance of certain techniques. The seemingly small butt on a split-T can be a jacket/sleeve grabber just by it's shape alone. It's smaller, but more efficient in that negative regard. HINT...make it a smooth transition to the blank, I find a longer taper to the front of the butt helps out here. Hard edges look cool, but they grab ripstop nylons and flannel in a nasty manner especially with looser fit clothing.

My 9' rods measure 12" from the stem of the reelseat to the end of the butt. I have rather long arms and am a tall guy. Some bass rods double as carpers, so they have enough blank behind handle for rod holder use.

There are general guide lines established for most techniques. A pistol grip on a swim bait probably would not work. Once the techniqe and blank are matched the final tuning of all custom grips should be fine tuned for the specific angler. I have one seven foot blank that is quite a good seller for finesse worm fishing and the rear split grip has varied as much as three inches. Even little things like changing hands and what kind of clothing is worn can have an effect.

The butt doesn't need to come back any farther than under your forearm or elbow at the most. The rear grip should fill the hand but no more than that.

I keep several rods in my shop with different length handle. I have my customer make a few cast with each different length to see which one they like best. This works for me and most people pick the same length. I do have people with special circumstances that that needs some thing radically different.
Pat

Tony,
Easiest is ask your customer. If they know what length they want - build it. If they are looking to you for the right length for a particular technique - get the back issues on the Revolver Rod and the split grip handle. If that isn't enough info - ask again, or just show up at the ICRBE and my "building technique specific bass rods" seminar - I'll go over the numbers and whys there.

On another note ... does anyone know the issue/volume number for the "Revolver Rod and the Split Grip Handle" that Richard mentioned above ... went to buy it and can't find it listed in the description of the back issues. Thanks for your help. Gene

Gene,
The revolver rod article by Rich Forhan is in volume 4 issue 2.
which I beleive is only available on the Volume 4 CD. Print
issues only go back to Volume 5 I think.

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

Raymond

Thanks for the info ... will check it out

Gene

Gene,
The Revolver Rod - V4 #2
Advantages of the Split Grip - V4 #4
Volume 4 individual issues are sold out but available on CD

If you build Bass rods - all of these articles were intended to put some space between you and factory rods - however, as you can see in stores - they read Rodmaker



The Revolver Rod by Rich Forhan - V4 #2

No-ForeGrip Casting Rods by Rich Forhan - V4 #3

Advantages of the Split Grip by Rich Forhan - V4 #4

The Forhan Locking Wrap by Rich Forhan - V4 #6

Guide Spacing Number and Selection by Rich Forhan - V5 #3

ISCAR - Fun With Rod Spine by Rich Forhan - V6 #1

Perfect Thread Epoxy by Rich Forhan - V6 #5

Bass Rod Balancing by Rich Forhan - V6 #6

The RF-lite reel seat - V8#5

The SSG-TN Spinning Handle - V9#4

Gene,
The Revolver Rod - V4 #2
Advantages of the Split Grip - V4 #4
Volume 4 individual issues are sold out but available on CD

If you build Bass rods - all of these articles were intended to put some space between you and factory rods - however, as you can see in stores - they read Rodmaker



The Revolver Rod by Rich Forhan - V4 #2

No-ForeGrip Casting Rods by Rich Forhan - V4 #3

Advantages of the Split Grip by Rich Forhan - V4 #4

The Forhan Locking Wrap by Rich Forhan - V4 #6

Guide Spacing Number and Selection by Rich Forhan - V5 #3

ISCAR - Fun With Rod Spine by Rich Forhan - V6 #1

Perfect Thread Epoxy by Rich Forhan - V6 #5

Bass Rod Balancing by Rich Forhan - V6 #6

The RF-lite reel seat - V8#5

The SSG-TN Spinning Handle - V9#4