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Posts: 276
| Howdy,
Based upon Thorne Bros outstanding reputation with custom rods, I was looking to have Lonnie replace the palming reel seats on the LT jerk, Slingblade and Bigdawg with a traditional trigger reel seat.
However, on a scale of 1-10, with "10" looking like it came out of the factory, I was told it would be a "9" due to the fact that the new reel seat will not be the same length, the thread wraps below the cork handle will need to be rebuilt and likely lengthened and the fact that the split grip cork handles need to be rebuilt by hand.
Unfortunately for me, I have never seen a rod they have worked on so its hard for me to gauge what a "9" looks like. So, recognizing I'm 99% there on the order, can someone share some experience or pictures of LT mods they have done for you? My goal is to not be able to tell the work was done.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 155
| I had 3 predator reel seats swapped out with the "set back" St. Croix trigger style reel seat. Looks as good as new. Lonnie does incredible work. None of mine were split grip though...
If you have any doubt, ask Lonnie how it will look when done. He won't BS you, if there will be flaws he will let you know. |
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Posts: 1150
Location: Minnesota. | If anyone can do a 9 out of 10 on it Lonnie can! He's about as good at this as anyone around the state. Can't speak for anyplace else but...
.....don't take out a microscope- it's a fishing rod afterall!
You'll be pleasantly surprised/happy. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I had one of the first predator rods . Then when the Tranx came out had to have one of those reels . The bad thing the reel seat was to small and the Tranx would pop off Lonnie rebuilt with a larger reel seat can't even tell he did it. |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | Make sure you know what you're getting. The only thing I've had Thorne's do was extend the handle on a slingblade, and I was not impressed.
The predator blanks are awesome, but I have another rod builder make them. |
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Posts: 405
| I will endorse Thorne Bros 100%. My experience consists of 2 new and 1 modified rod. The modification changed a reel seat on predator pole they built earlier. All three experiences were a outstanding. Lonnie was detailed, honest and delivered exactly what I was expecting. |
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Posts: 276
| Howdy,
Thanks for the information. Since the Predators are their own rod I am assuming its easier to modify without being able to tell the work was done than it would be on a stock St. Croix, but perhaps I am mistaken.
Based upon the work I described, which is essentially rebuilding and reshaping the split grip handle and cosmetically re-threading below the cork handle and above the rear grip, do you think that is something that could be done without looking like it was done after the fact?
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | When I talked to thorne bros ( didn't talk to lonnie ) think the guys name was mike. They can do it but cost was an issue. They figured $75 for new reel seat and cork work. Plus shipping there and back. Total cost was over $100 each rod. I had 3. |
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Posts: 531
| The process may make the rods easier for you to fish, but will likely void the factory warranty. |
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Posts: 230
Location: St Paul, Minnesota | (I work for Thorne Bros.)
Lonnie and the crew of rod guys do great work. Everything I've ever seen them put out not only looks good, but is functional and fishable. If not, bring the concern up to them and we'll to do everything in their power to rectify it.
C7 |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | It doesn't void warrenty. I talked to stc bout it. You can modify the handle section but say you wanted to upgrade guides that would void warrenty. |
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Posts: 677
Location: Twin Cities, MN | upnortdave - 3/28/2016 6:36 AM
It doesn't void warrenty. I talked to stc bout it. You can modify the handle section but say you wanted to upgrade guides that would void warrenty.
Interesting, as I was told when I had TB modify two St Croix Legend walleye rods to a better handle that it would void my warranty by TB directly before it was done.
Yes, it ran 75 per handle. |
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Posts: 135
| If it's $75-$100 per rod to switch handles, why not just sell them and get new ones built with the trigger handle?
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Posts: 677
Location: Twin Cities, MN | In my case St Croix does not make the rod I really like for walleye fishing anymore, and the original plastic handle on it drives me nuts as it is cold and slick especially with gloves on when fishing in Oct / Nov, so I changed to a cork hidden handle after I tracked a couple of their old legend series down and picked them up on the hardly used market.
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Posts: 276
| Howdy,
Thanks all for the replies. I too was concerned about the warranty piece so I called St. Croix directly and asked them last week. They told me it would not void the warranty unless the modification made to the handle caused the break. So, unless the rod broke at the handle/reel seat I would be good to go.
Additionally, I was also told they are well aware of the concerns that some fisherman have with the new palming reel seat and have had "discussions" about offering it with both seats but, to date, that does not appear to be more than a simple discussion at this time.
I was planning to buy the rods directly from TB and have the work done before they shipped so the cost was less of an issue. My only concern is the continuity part of it. Obviously thats a bit neurotic on my part, however, I know it would drive me nuts if the finished product was noticeable different from the rest of the stock rods.
Take care,
Ruddiger
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Posts: 743
| If you were planning on buying direct from TB why not just have them build it the way you want from the git go?
i've had about 10 ,12 rods built or modified through the years and they've all been perfect. lonnie is great to work with.
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Posts: 230
Location: St Paul, Minnesota | Hey Ruddiger,
One suggestion that comes to mind given that you're concerned about how the rods look compared to other stock rods after you purchase the rods and have alterations done, would be to avoid the stock rods all together and have Lonnie build you a couple Predators.
If my math is correct, you're likely already in the neighborhood after you pay for each of the handles to get modified, so why not just have custom rods built to your preferred specifications. Get the handle you like, get the rod dimensions specified to what you'd like (I prefer 18" handles for better casting and longer (9 foot) rods other than my Jerk), and get a custom rod that doesn't look out of place when next to other stock rods, because it's not meant to look like other stock rods. The Predator blank is a specialized St. Croix blank comparable to the Legend Tournament blank, just with a different feel that I and a lot of others really enjoy.
Food for thought... good luck, go your route or explore my suggestion, either way you'll end up with some good rods!
-C7 |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | That would be a great way to go. If your set on a st croix, they can build on any blank they have. |
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Posts: 13
Location: Hanover, MN | I am unsure, but is there a warranty on a TB predator rod? It would be a big consideration for me when putting out big bucks like that. If they have a warranty how would it stack up against the St. Croix warranty? Another thing to ask being warranty has already been brought up. |
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Posts: 42
Location: Becker MN | The Predator blanks are made with the same material as the Legend Tournament Blanks. They are made for Thorne Bros only and have more options in actions.
I would bet that both St. Croix and Thorne Bro's would offer the same warranty. I build rods and have customers that ask for rods built on their blanks and have looked into the blanks.
Building some custom rods would probally be cheaper in the long run rather than modifying pre-made rods.
Shoot me a PM if you like for more info. |
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Posts: 833
| Thorne has the same warranty as St. Croix. If you bust a predator you have to pay to replace the blank, which was $60 the last time it happened to me.
Why all the hate on the new palming seats? I love them. |
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Posts: 483
| its not hate, it just doesen't fit everybody, maybe shorter fingers it seems that to me and the diameter is bigger too ! i have a classic jerk and 2 premiers and 1 mojo and the last one i got was big dawg with the new palming and i will gind it off if i cannot sell it ! |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | It's the angle it puts your wrist in that bothers me. I sold all my legends N replacing with diffrent rods |
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