Butt Shortening Options

[Christopher]

Hey there all.

I'm using a Daiwa Procaster-X 6'6" ultra-light rod for my bream spinning, and it's general lightness and sensitivity thrill me.

It does, however, have a 7+3/4" butt section (from bottom of reel seat), and while it's not outlandishly long, it could certainly be shorter.

Do pro rod-builders do these type of alterations? I'm a bit nervous about turning the hacksaw onto the rod, considering it's fairly new, and I'm not that confident with my own abilities.

There's a rod-builder not far from where I am, and I will email him and get his opinion.

If I do get someone to lop some off, what length do you recommend for the butt?

Also, with this rod, if I shorten the butt, will it alter the balance of the rod? Will it perform differently due to the altered weight distribution.

All the best, everyone, thanks in advance for any advice.

[Christopher]

Also, guys, there's a fair bit of the black coily thread stuff that the rings run on to hold the reel on, left beneath where they have to sit at the moment. So if I cut off from the cork, i'll probably just be left with black plastic thread beneath the reel, and cork on top!

Do you know what I mean? I haven't worded it very well, but I hope you know what I mean. In otherwords, to hold on my Okuma AV20, the ring thing that sits at the bottom of the reel seat is fairly high up the rod, so that there is plenty of black thread, on which the ring rides, left beneath it.

Whattaya reckon? anyway that I could have cork right below the reel?

It really is a nice rod, just a shame about the butt. It's definitely usable 'as is', but could be a bit better, I think.

[cyberfish]

I have read a post by a rodbuilder that blanks can be damaged if cut with a hacksaw. I can't remember how you do cut it but hold off on the hacksaw until you can find out. Maybe just leave it as is.
It works. Was designed with specific purpose in mind. Maybe a bit of butt could be an advantage in some situations. More power in wrestling a fish or distance casting? Hate to see you butcher it that's all - much disappointment. cf

[Dave W]

I lopped the butt off my Procaster-X (602LFS) with no ill effects, I made sure I used a fine toothed hacksaw blade though.

I'm left with about 3 inches of butt, including the butt cap.

All I did was saw off the butt, lever the butt cap from the offcut with a screwdriver, file and sand the new butt to fit the buttcap back on, and Araldite it tight.

I'll take some pics when I get a chance.

Cheers,

[Christopher]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

You're definitely right, Cyberfish, I'd hate to see the rod butchered as well. I really don't rate myself that highly in the hacksaw-wielding stakes, so there's no way I'd go after my newish rod with that.

I went and saw a rod builder yesterday, and he's taking it for me.

Basically he's changing the seat to fixed hood downwards, and putting in a skeleton seat, so that it's all cork. Slipping the front grip downwards, and significantly shortening the butt, so I retain full rod length, with a shorter butt, and it's now fixed hood down.

I can't wait to see it, it should work like a new rod.

All the best.

[K.4.R.M.4]

How much does it cost you Chris? I may want to do mine too (Mine is Procaster S 6'6", but I think it can be done in the same way?)

[Christopher]

G'day,

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it will cost $60 all up, that's with all new cork, new skeleton seat, all labour and time.

Pretty good price, eh?

All the best.

[nifty13]

G'day Chris, I have the same rod and have the same problem so yesterday I took a fine tooth saw to the butt, cut about 3 inches below the reel seat, cleaned out the but cap and just slowly scraped the cork away from inside the cap and the blank, put araldite on the cap and fitted it back on, beautifull job if I do say so, now it is just right, looks good and works a treat easier without that 8 inches below the reel, took about 10 minutes to do. Neville

[Bear]

I was wondering how long that would take you Nev.

Makes a HUGE difference.

[corey]

I have a 6ft ugly stick light and the but on that thing is enormous so I may have to get the saw out tonight!!!!
Also my reel used to wobble in the quick twist style seat so I put a small length of heat shrink tube on each side of the reel feet.
Any one else had that prob?
Corey