Hi All, first Salmon Rod build and I have my guide spacing, just wondering what you think best location for Reel Seat should be? Standard Spinning setup, not a SG and grips are custom EVA, thanks!

Scott

"My biggest fear in life is that when I die, my wife will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it."

11 to 12 inches seems to work best for most people.

thank you very much, havent done much salmon fishing so figured I would ask, thanks again!

I have built at least 500 salmon rods over the years and here in the Pacific Northwet! most people hold the rod so that the butt grip is supported under the forearm. I have seen pictures and videos of people in the mid-west and atlantic states tucking the butt under their armpit. Here, I always measure the persons forearm from their grip on the blank to the end of the butt. For most adult males it is anywhere from 12 1/2" to 15" for the forearm supported rod.

outstanding info, thanks very much. Think I am going with 13 1/2 or so. Thanks again everyone!

You can of course do what you want, but there is a reason St Croix, Lamiglas, Loomis, etc. use shorter grips, longer ones get in the way. Casting rods are held palming the reel or the hand is gripping the rod behind the reel. Spinning rods are held with the hand around the reel stem with the hand much closer to the fore end of the reelseat and the foregrip. That's why the rear grip lengths under the arm will be similar, your working from different ends/parts of the reel seat.

For salmon and steelhead spinning rods, it's ideal if you can get the end of the rear grip to land just in front of the elbow when held in the normal fishing position. This is usually means a rear grip around 12" to 13" for most folks. It's a problem if the grip is too long and always seems to hang up in your shirt or coat when casting and retrieving so watch your length on the grip.

Terry

Great info, thanks guys much appreciated!

It depends.
A lot of folks when they fish long rods and or fight big fish, LIKE to have the rear grip tucked up under their arm.

If so, then a longer grip is called for.

13.5" rear grip for the Mudhole 8'6" salmon spinning rod I built last year.
It needs to be short enough to switch from right to left while applying pressure to a large fish without catching on your jacket, and long enough to give you leverage for distance casts and fighting large fish.

great info, thanks guys much appreciated!

My friends and I prefer 14" I don't think you can make a blanket statement like too long or too short in the end it's the users choice,I personally don't have a problem with a "longer" handle hanging up on anything and never have a need to switch hands for any reason