I've picked up a Rainshadow RCLB79ML to build into a live bait rod for big fall reds and some of the other big fish we get here in coastal Georgia. Would love some input from those of y'all who have built/used this rod as far as how to build it up. I'm toying with the idea of a cord wrapped lower grip. It'll be used primarily fished out of a kayak, so i'm thinking about a shorter rear grip. Butt is .630". Not sure if i'll put cork tape under the cord or not. Also thinking about a deckhand style rod but don't know if i'd really like that or not.

I did a search here on the blank and found Kerry Batson's suggestions about components and guide spacing. Copied and saved those; i'd just like to hear if anyone else suggests anything different before i start to work.

Thanks,
kevin

Do you stand in your kayak at all when you fish or do you primarily sit down? I do about 90% of my fishing out of kayak anywhere from bass fishing ponds to fishing 1-2 miles offshore. Personal preference will play a lot in to what you want for a grip and its length. I like longer grips that way if you use rod holders on your kayak the reel isn't hitting the rod holder at all. I cast 10" rear grip sections out of my kayak and its no issue at all for me personally. For offshore purposes I have used handle sections with an overall length of between 18-26 and still was no issue for me. For the rod you're building I would say an overall length of about 16-18 inches for your grip section would be plenty for casting unless you prefer a shorter overall length. Personally I like the longer sections of handles so all of my rods similar to what you have build have an OAL of 18-18 inches from the butt of the rod to the tip of the foregrip.

For the fish I'll be after with this rod, I won't be standing. I'll be oceanside in my Tarpon 160 fishing live bait. Those are not conditions conducive to standing. I do stand all the time if I'm fishing freshwater or up in the marsh in my Ultimate 12.

10" for the rear grip is actually shorter even than I had in mind. I'll keep playing with it.

I did wrap some 1/8" cord around the butt yesterday. I like a thin rear grip, but not that thin. Will have to put something under it.

Eastern Red Cedar handle is the way i would go.

Cover with epiphanes finish, spar varnish or PG, maybe composite or foam buttcap so something softer is banging into your body parts..
Single D thread for taking up space between blank after boring out to 17/18 mm.

You could go 22 or 24 reel seat for that type of rod and extend the cedar to become the shim/arbor for the seat with that short butt.


Looks awesome, fishes well, very light and wears well.


Cork tape not my first choice but its your rod.
I have an old butt over tip 2 piece 11 ft 15~40# i refinished a few weeks ago with cork tape and a Fuji 24 reel seat.
I landed up dipping the butt in Plastidip to make it more durable in the rod holders.
It was 1/8 cork tape and it tore up on one trip.

Thanks, Lou. I sold my wood lathe before i moved back to Georgia, so i don't see any wood handles in the near future.

My thinking with the cork tape was as an under layer for the tuna cord, not as an exposed grip. Just something to build it up underneath.

Kevin, then the cork works like a filler and its ok.
But exposed not so muck.
I have used Ozite carpeting in a long strip that works ok.Way better than cork strip also its thicker.
Its what they cover putt putt greens in.
Pretty tough but can get a serious funky smell from fish bits sticking on it if you use bait.