I'm primarily a fly rod builder but I've been asked to build a spinning rod with a split grip cork handle/reel seat.. Seems straight forward enough but I'm wondering how much space there should be between the top of the fighting butt and the rear of the reel seat cork grip. Is there a rule of thumb or standard? Does it matter?
It's a 7 ft, fast action, heavy power graphite rod for 15- 30 lb line.
I did a search here but couldn't find what I was looking for.

Regards,
Larry

See if it matters to the customer If not do it however

Bill - willierods.com

Figure out where you want to mount he seat,then figure out how long you want to make the rear grip and the butt. I have made the split section anywhere from 3" long to 7" long. There is no standard, just adjust to get the look you are looking for.

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Super Tight Lines......Don

Hi Larry,
If possible get the customer to decide where he wants the reelseat and how long and thick to make all the grip pieces so that it suits him and his fishing style. It's a custom rod, make it to suit your customer.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hello Larry.

I measure from the wrist to the elbow, I like a 4" lower seat Grip and a 2" butt Grip so with 11" wrist to elbow it would be 6" Grips and 5" gap.

It seems most like a bigger Grip then I do and some people like a small butt Grip and a bigger lower seat Grip, some like them the same, so just take the measurements.

Ask the person what they like, if they are not sure take them to the big box store and see what length fits their hand best, and how they cast.

Good Luck, & Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2013 01:20PM by Robert A. Guist.

To me...distance between the grips is irrelevant.

The distance from the butt to the back end of the reel seat is the critical distance for balance and feel in the hand. All the rest just falls where it falls. (unless some unique circumstance dictates otherwise)


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

My first priority is always the length from the reel seat to the rod tip, and then I determine the grip length……which of course, dictates the rod length. Since you have a blank of a given length, then it’s a question as to what you (or the customer) considers more important. A compromise maybe in order.

have the owner take the blank and go outside and play like he is fishing
hold the rod and see what feels good Then measure the back side of his hand to the butt
That should be how long his handle will be

then it is up to you and him as to how long you want the sections

Bill - willierods.com

You may want a starting point for the rear of the reel seat to be 8 to 10" from the very butt end of the rod.
We like a 21/2" cork grip in front and behind the seat, with a fighting butt of 11/2 to 2" long.
On lighter rods, even shorter, or no cork grips at all.
The advice about measuring is the best way, mock up the handle assembly on the blank and have the customer handle the rod as if fishing it, both casting and retrieving.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

OK, I get it.
Ron, this is pretty close to what I came up with so I'll go with that.
Thanks to all for your feedback.

Regards,
Larry

One factor not emphasized enough in the string is the one I find the most important, and that is the distance from the centerline of the reel foot to the butt. This dimension, if too long, can cause the butt to hang up on the anglers clothing. It can be longer if the fishing is mostly with the tip up, but if the angler does much tip-down fishing, the butt must clear the clothing or the constant hang-up will be a pain. That determines the longest that the distance from reel foot can be. Anything shorter than that can be done depending on preferences, balance, whatever. I would have the angler try it before glueing it, and I would mention the tip-down aspect.

One other thing to keep in mind is that most spinning seats are way too long than they need to be. So I add about 1/4 inch to the dimension that is required in mounting the reel, and cut them off to that dimension. It will look better, be a tiny bit lighter, and give you more room between the seat and the butt knob (assuming up-locking installation of the seat). Even if downlocking, I like to cut them off.