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| What do people think is a good length for rod handles (from reel seat to butt)? I palm my reels and 15" seems to short to me. I'm extending the handles so i was thinking of going up to 17" or 18". What do other people like for lengths?
Thanks, Jim |
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Posts: 2024
| I think it depends on arm length. I'm 6'0", palm the reel, and the 15-16" is plenty long. With my arm locked in an L position the distance from the center of my palm to my elbow is about 13". I know when I hold the rod my elbow is extended just behind my torso so that my right arm can crank without having to reach out to the reel (if you're confused, put your arms in your natural casting position and you'll see what I mean). I like the rod to sit comfortably under my armpit with about 2" sticking out the back. A butt length of about 15" leaves roughly 2" sticking out past my torso. Any less and it starts to jab my underarm, and any longer and it sometimes gets caught on clothing (especially when working walk-the-dog baits or snap-jerking lures). |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I am a pretty big guy, so I like my handles long. 20-22 inches. I like to have my handle stick out the back of my pit an inch or two. A lot of standard handles are too short IMO. The longer handle really helps throw larger baits as well. You can fling rubber like a dream! |
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Posts: 307
| All personal preference. I'm 6' 210lbs I palm my reel and 15" is way too long for me. It just does not seem like it is balanced properly. I just ordered a 9.5' rod with a 13.5" handle. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | It does look like it's personal preference. I'm only about 5'9" and I've used short handles (probably 13 inches or 13.5), and handles up to 16 inches. I have liked the 15 and 16 inch handles more than the short ones. At first, they did seem like they caught a little on clothing when switching hands, but I got used to that in a hurry. Doesn't seem to hurt my ability to work baits, and I think it helps give some leverage when ripping baits hard. Also seems to make casting easier.
I'm going to be having a rod built for me soon, and can't quite decide between 15 and 16 inches, but it will be one of those two lengths (an inch difference is probably splitting hairs anyway).
curleytail
Edited by curleytail 4/22/2009 10:01 AM
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I'm 6-3 and palm the reel, and all my rods have 15" rear grips. When I cast light stuff I find myself not even gripping all the way down the handle w/ my off hand (i.e. I could get by w/ a 13" handle on light stuff). I think I have pretty long arms my reach is ~80". One thing to remember is a long handle will reduce the effective length of your rod. My rods are all 8-0 to 8-6.
Edited by cast10K 4/22/2009 10:44 AM
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Posts: 375
| for what it's worth, i alternate between palming the reel and holding the foregrip. for me, when i'm using heavier baits like a bulldog for example i find that it feels more comfortable and it seems like i have more control especially when ripping these heavier baits. with lighter baits palming gets the call most of the time for the same reasons of comfort and control. the rods i use are all 8' 6" with 15" butt lengths on the lighter bait weight rods and my heavier bait rod has an 18" butt end. for me it is much easier / more comfortable to cast those heavier baits with the few extra inches on the butt end of the rod. |
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