Hey all, I picked up a Megabass Pagani Lotus for a song and I want to put it on an old school pistol grip rod. However, I'd like to use a newer blank so how do I go about ensuring I pick up something that will go together well? What should I avoid? What should I look for when buying a handle since it will be second hand? I'm not looking to make a custom setup for it just yet, but that's probably coming down the road. For now, I just want to fish it a bit before things freeze up.

Thanks in advance for any and all help, guidance, and suggestions!!

I just used a MHX shooter blank and put a 5 inch carbon handle on it. I did this because I don't like the pistol grip look. But, the MHX blank in the shooter series was made for pistol grip style fishing. The action is super fast, mine is the Elite X, they also sell it in the standard. My grip is really lite so my rod feels very tip heavy. I personally am not worried about this because I will be shooting lures under docks like a pistol grip. I think the heavy tip will help.

Adam,
As long as the reel foot is similar in size to your other newer casting reels, you'll have no problems. You can also take the reel and test it on a new bass rod at your sporting goods store, most reel seats are 16mm. That said even an 18 mm trigger reel seat will work with a pistol grip.

John Keough Wrote:
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> I just used a MHX shooter blank and put a 5 inch
> carbon handle on it. I did this because I don't
> like the pistol grip look. But, the MHX blank in
> the shooter series was made for pistol grip style
> fishing. The action is super fast, mine is the
> Elite X, they also sell it in the standard. My
> grip is really lite so my rod feels very tip
> heavy. I personally am not worried about this
> because I will be shooting lures under docks like
> a pistol grip. I think the heavy tip will help.

Thanks for the blank recommendation, that'll come in handy once I'm ready to build.

Spencer, I'm fairly certain the reel got is the same as newer reels. A lack of rods to test it on isn't the issue, but bul putting one together that looks more old school and sits the reel lower is what I'm after. I'll probably end up doing just that and testing it on the potential donor rod first since finding the kind of handle I'm after is proving to be more work than anticipated.

Adam,
I'd look for a Fuji Speed Stick handle (and/or rod). Some are glue-ins and others use a collet system. There are still some floating around. Try Google search. Just about any blank can be adapted. Btw, one advantage of these old grips over modern blank-thru grips is that they allowed the reel to sit much lower on the rod, making for a shallow angle of the line from the reel to first guide.

jim spooner Wrote:
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> Adam,
> I'd look for a Fuji Speed Stick handle (and/or
> rod). Some are glue-ins and others use a collet
> system. There are still some floating around. Try
> Google search. Just about any blank can be
> adapted. Btw, one advantage of these old grips
> over modern blank-thru grips is that they allowed
> the reel to sit much lower on the rod, making for
> a shallow angle of the line from the reel to first
> guide.

I've seena couple of those but they don't really do it for me. I definitely want something that uses a collett tough. I've seen some with the low reel seat couple with 6-8" long straight or bent cork grip. That's what is really like to find.

Used to be able to get what you want in the Japanese market, but it's been few years since I bought one

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
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> Used to be able to get what you want in the
> Japanese market, but it's been few years since I
> bought one

I'm checking there too...

I have a whole box of the fuji quick stick handles(also the silly guides), they don't fit my newer baitcaster

John, could you post a picture of the ones you have? I tried a Google image search and didn't come up with anything. The only one I've seen might not be what you have.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2018 06:43PM by Adam Lancia.

I just uploaded it on the photo section of grips. You will see I turned it into a beer tap. If I can figure how to link it I will.

John Keough Wrote:
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> I just uploaded it on the photo section of grips.
> You will see I turned it into a beer tap. If I
> can figure how to link it I will.

Easy - go to your photo and copy the URL in the address window. Come back and paste the URL here.

............

Thanks for uploading those John, definitely old school, but I'm looking for a grip witha lower seat height.

My next need for guidance is fitting a blank to whichever handle I get. I'll definitely be getting a handle that allows me to fit different blanks to the handle since three initial one I plan on using won't be the one I intend on keeping there. What are my options and what's the easiest way to adapt an existing rod cut down to fit a handle...? Looking ahead, I'd like to build a custom rod: what kind of components do I need to fit a new blank to the handle?

Thanks in advance!

To go with my last post, does anyone have links to videos showing the steps of mating a blank to one of these handles? I pulled the trigger on this one [] does anyone know what this handle uses to fit the blank to the handle...?

Thanks!

Adam - I was searching for something in my shop and came across two old Fuji speed stick pistol grips, one Fuji speed stick casting grip with a straight cork handle, and one Fuji speed stick spinning grip. If you want them you can have them I have no need for them. Email me, your email is hidden.
Norm

That's unbelievably generous Norm! I'm emailing you now!