I have an order for 3 Old Drum Rods. They will be used for bottom fishing for old drum in 3-20ft of water. They will be casted, but not very far, then stuck in a rod holder to wait for the bite. The customer asked for broom stick spinning rods. He will be using 30lb test line. I am looking at a 5' 9" 30lb IGFA Gator blank. He has no clue what he wants for grips. I am thinking about putting a 10" slick but on it because when a 50 or 60lb drum is on, it is difficult to pull an eva butt from a rod holder. I am also thinking about a 5" cork foregrip.

Any thoughts?

Mudhole has a Ruber Gimble that I am thinking of using. Anybody used one of those?

EVA for the buttgrip is going to get torn and banged up and if you have a big drum on the rod it may cause the rod to get jammed and in frustration you pull the rod out and tear up the EVA grip. I would stick with the slick butt and also go with hypalon for the foregrip strickly for grip reason only. The cork may get slippery from bait or whatever. just my two cents.

tight lines,

john

Bear with me, I am fairly new to this. I have never used hypalon. How is it diffrent from EVA? Good call on the slippery cork, I hadn't thought of that. I could see that being a problem after you hook on a mullet head. The main thing he asked for, is that it would look diffrent from something he can buy in a store. That is why I was looking to a cork foregrip with a slick butt. I have never seen that.

Hypalon weighs more than EVA. It is more durable but more spongy/softer.

An IFGA glass rod is going to weigh a ton and not be very pleasurable to fish with. If budget permits you might consider one of Billy's (NERBS) Hercules blanks. A cheaper option could be a rainshadow rclb70m. It will fish more than 30# and your depths are shallow so not much lead. I think it would do but if not they offer others.

The slick butt is a good idea. For the fore grip you could do a checkerboard cork inlay...or use craft foam or such and do a lot of neat things. Again the NERBS site will give you an idea of what is possible. All depends on how much time/money. If you just want to stand out they have camo and wood grain EVA.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thomas,
I think you have the perfect rod.
The glass rods will be virtually unbreakable, which is a very good thing considering the fish you are attempting to catch as well as the method you are catching them.
You will seldom have them in your hands, and when you catch a 40 lb fish, the light (comparatively) weight of the rod, compared to the fish will make the rod weight not important.
You need a durable rod, and that is what you have with this rod.
I would also go with the slick grip and the Haplon fore grip.

Good luck and have your client catch a lot of fish on these rods.

Roger

Hello All
Thomas, I like the rod and the slick butt, but would go with (different) an EVA foregrip inlayed with something, and if you are not ready to do that kid of thing on your own yet Billy V will have something you will like or maybe do a custom for you, like a Drum.
Show us some pictures when you get them done!

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

you may want to try using cord. it is very durable and you can add some great colors. i have found some great cords at outdoor shops that carry climbing supplies. they hold up well in rodholders. i have also had good luck using heat shrink for rods used in holders.

Any Ideas for Guides?

take a look at the amtak aframe or batson vs3..both are sturdy guides and give extra height that will be helpful in NGC setup