UL spinning rod handles

**gillchaser999** · 05-31-2023, 12:55 PM

I recently noticed something in my ultralight spinning rods , other than what is generally discussed .
That is , handle length .
I took three rods fishing out of my boat yesterday and each one had a different length handle , the distance between the reel and the butt of the handle .
I don’t notice handle length as much while standing on the shore casting and retrieving.
My 6’ Abu Garcia Mass Beat 3 UL rod has the shortest handle butt end and was the one I fished the most .
My 6’ St Croix Avid Panfish UL rod had the longest butt end and the longer butt got in the way while I was fishing .
It would poke me and was in the way while I was retrieving and working my jig .
Why would a manufacturer build an ultralight rod with a long butt end when most ultralight rods are fished handheld .
Maybe they’re trying to balance the rod . That can be accomplished with a heavier reel .
I’ve noticed , the longer the rod , the longer the butt section , so maybe balance is the factor .
I own a B&M TCB rod but don’t fish it much because of its long handle . It measures 11” from the reel to the end of the handle .
The placement of the reel seat changes how a rod blank fishes . It seems to me a longer handle makes a rod fish shorter .
I prefer the short butt section of the Abu Garcia .
And will be looking at handle length on rods I buy in the future .

**UpstateSC_Bill** · 05-31-2023, 04:37 PM

My ultra light rods are all between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 feet long. I haven't honestly noticed a significant difference in handle length, at least not enough to notice a difference in handling. All mine have full cork handles so maybe that is a factor.

**skeetbum** · 05-31-2023, 05:33 PM

My rods are like that too. Even my custom built rods Show differences, and mine go from 4’3” to 7’. My tss has a noticeably longer handle and my 5’ custom build ( not built by me ) has what looks like an ice rod handle. That I can remember, most of my rods have good balance so there may be something to that factor as you said. The ones I built are definitely that way due to balance. I added the reel to the build before I glued the seat in place to make sure it was right. The 6’6” reel seat had to be moved forward to make it right from what I had guesstimated.

**DockShootinJack** · 05-31-2023, 07:06 PM

The Tennessee handle one that allows you ability to move the reel up and down the handle

**Alphahawk** · 05-31-2023, 07:47 PM

I field tested the TCB at length. I inquired why the long handle. The answer was for resting the butt in your forearm while crappie fishing. I too do not like it. It hits you…gets tangled in your shirt sleeve also. The rod is sensitive and reasonably light…but the handle needs a redesign. When purchasing JDM stream trout rods I have to look at the specs close. Stream trout rods all have full cork grips…and some of them are quite long. I choose the ones with the short grip.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

**skeetbum** · 06-01-2023, 05:25 AM

It isn’t hard to shorten them some and add another butt cap, and I thought about it. But I would hate to screw up one of the best rods I have. I’m talking about the tss. I suppose I could add a little weight to make up what’s been removed. Three inches less handle would be nice.

**BobC** · 06-01-2023, 06:40 AM

I have to agree with you guys on the TSS. I love the rod but a shorter handle would be nice.
Bob

**JUNGLEJIMJIGS** · 06-02-2023, 06:13 AM

Don't care for the long handles either and look for shorter ones before I buy them. My first JDM rod I purchased was a 7' Shimano Soare BB that's got a handle length of 9.5" to where the rod blank starts. I love this rod and bought a second one. Best $120 I ever spent. Got my Nasci C2000S yesterday and it's going on the second Soare. This outfit has perfect balance. I caught my 10# bass with this rod so they will handle big fish.

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