I am looking for advice for how to determine rear grip lengths. I understand a lot of it is preference, but are there any guidelines that rod builders have found that point in a general direction. Here is my dilemma. I am building an offshore tuna rod Seeker CJBF70H and intend to use it for live bait. The shorter rear grip moves the fishing reel closer to the body and is more comfortable reeling. However, the shorter rear section gives less rear grip to brace between the arm and body while soaking your bait. I have heard that you can customize the rear grip length by measuring the arm. But what part of the arm? Any help from experienced builders or personal preferences would be appreciated.

Thank You

Mostly personal choice but here are a few factors to consider.

Will the rod spend time in a rod holder? If so you want the rear grip long enough so the reel isn’t hitting the gunnel. Will you cast the rod? If so a longer rear grip helps increase casting distance. Most important, how will you hold the rod when fighting a fish. If you use some type of fighting belt you would go a little shorter on the rear grip. If you like to tuck it under your armpit then you’d want a longer rear grip.

Consider that the longest “slick butt” they make is only 12”.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks Russ
I will flip the bait from the boat as best as possible. It is a heavier stick for tuna. I will hold it the entire time fishing. I was thinking a gimbal plus 8 inches of hypalon then a Afco reel seat. If I have measured correct that will be 12 inches to the middle of the reel seat from the butt. I will also use a fighting belt with or without gimbal.

Dan

Why not put the fighting belt on and using the blank see where your forward hand and hand you reel with feel the most comfortable. You might even have someone load up the rod tip to simulate lifting a heavy fish......

X10 on Sandy's comment.
Or, take one of your favorite rods that you really like for length and duplicate it.

Be safe

Sandy
gave you the better advise
play as if you are fishing the blank and it will tell you what you need to know

Bill - willierods.com

All good ideas. Does anyone know the theory behind the arm measurement? Is it elbow to wrist? What do you use? Someone in passing commented (not here) that the reel seat should be the distance from elbow to wrist. Any thoughts?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2014 06:25PM by Dan Keck.

If it feels good, you are in good shape.
If the rod catches on your arm, it is too long for the type fishing that you are doing.

If the butt is too short to give you the leverage that you want, the butt is too short.

Be safe

I've fished a lot on long range boats. I've asked several of the most experienced deckhands (they will become apparent after a couple of days) and fishermen who have gone out for decades about what they consider the best length for a rear grip. I get the same answer almost 100% of the time. If you put the butt of the rod even with the end of your elbow, and make a motion as if you were grasping your reel while maintaining that alignment of the end of your elbow and the butt of the rod, that is considered to be the ideal rear grip length for you. I'm currently building a bait rod, and for me, from the bottom of the butt cap to the bottom edge of the reel seat (Fuji DPSH26) measures 11 3/4". Grasping the reel as I described, and measuring from the back edge of the reel to the the rear of the reel seat was 2". I've found that a majority of production rods are usually within an inch of that criteria. To make it correct for you, do the end-of-elbow-even with end of the butt cap- grasp the reel process. It's worked well for me and I don't think you will be disappointed.

Why when thigs are so simple people make thm so hard

Go out side grab the blank and pretend you are fishing it

You now know where the seat is and how long the butt should be

Bill - willierods.com

Thank you all