shorterned rod butt

marlin_dc · #1 31-05-2005, 04:22 AM

Hi all,

i have noticed that there have been quite a number of people here has put the hacksaw to the the rod butt and have shortened them. I know that many people feel that the rod butt obstructs the casting and fighting fish. But is there any other reasons for doing that.

Does shorting of the butt actually affects the action of the rods?? Wouldn;t a fast action rod after shortening turn to a slightly slower action rod?

I have noticed most of BD rods have a 4 inch back grip. Wouldn;t say a 7ft rod feel alittle unbalanced?? Personally, i still kinda of like a decent length butt say in the 4-6 inch length. Casting is much easier to cast if want to do a double hand cast. It also allows me to have some leverage just in case a decent kingie takes a liking for my lure.

Just wanted to get some opinions of u guys.

regards
Darryl

rabbitoh · #2 31-05-2005, 04:43 AM

Ive cut my butt on my berkley dropshot down so the reelstem is just under 6 inches from butt, it hasnt changed the feel of the rod and i like them short like this so i can tuck butt into waist and run fireline through forefingers on left hand as i retrieve, this means no loops ever and i real feel of anything that touches that SP, and i use a bread knife lol, finer teeth.

Shortlite · #3 31-05-2005, 05:08 AM

The shorter butt is to aid clearance when working the rod.

Extremely short is used when a different grip is being used when fishing, such as described by rabbitoh.

You'll find that even the short 4" rear grips like on the BD rods, when set up with an uplocking reel seat, give you about 6 inches from butt cap to reel stem. This is just enough to rest the butt against your forearm when fighting a fish.

Personally, I find this too short. I use 9 inches from cap to stem on all my light rods. I also reverse the reel seat to have it downlocking. To aid touch, I do not build with a foregrip. This allows me to touch the blank. I hold the reel in the conventional fashion. The longer rear grip is a big help when I hit into bigger fish like GT's, jacks and tarpon, where you often have to put some stick to the fish. Try that with a 2" rear grip!!

Then again, it's all about customising your rod to what is comfortable for you and suits your fishing style.