Steve Arnold
Well-known member
handle noun [C] (PART)
a part of an object designed for holding, moving, or carrying the object easily:So many rods (mostly carp) have hopeless handles. It's a great pity as so many carp rod blanks have a good action which would be useful when fishing for other species and situations. But those skinny butts and uncomfortable reel fittings make actually holding these rods a less than satisfactory experience.
Basically, the slim "bare-bones" style of rod handle on a skinny carbon blank is not designed to be held.......but matching sets in rod holders do look so pretty
The bottom three rods in that photo came courtesy of Mikench, Thanks Mike, they will find some good fishing here on the Lot!
The partial cork handles are on Agility barbel and feeder rods, so lower price point does not mean lowering standards of practicality and comfort (ergonomics).
With a fixed spool reel attached the duplon is comfortable in diameter and texture and the rod can be held for a lengthy period without strain. With a suitable size reel the rods balance point is just above the top corks, where my index finger usually rests when feeling for bites. Whatever rod I use that has become an instinct now with me!
These two Agility handles are finished with a large rubber butt cap. When you are fortunate to hook a big fish that is comfortable to place on your thigh and play the fish with an almost straight right arm. The distance from reel stem to end of butt is correct for the average arm length to achieve that. That butt cap is also comfortable for the left hand to slide against and grip when casting, particularly if you use a "punch" with the top hand and "pull" with the lower hand to achieve effective tip speed with minimum effort.
So why are the other two rods handles built differently? In my opinion it's simply fashion (and cheaper production!) winning out over practicality and good fishing sense.
The only other type of fishing rod I have found with such minimalist handle builds are beachcasters. But even there it's the larger diameter blanks that have the shrink tube finish, even sea anglers know thin blanks and cold hands are not a great combination for gripping!
Many spinning rods have some cleverly designed and comfortable handles. Fly rods have so many shaped cork handle designs, depending on their use and users hands/casting style. Sea fishing boat rod handles are built to hold and exercise control/power when playing big fish. ETC, etc, etc!
Anyway, thanks again Mike for the rods, The Chub 11' 2.25 lb fills a niche for me and I suspect it will have a great deal of use soon (well, as soon as I have recovered from covid!). Before the Lurgy kicked in I had already added a short duplon grip above the reel fitting and a rubber butt cap to the end......and painted the last few inches of the tip white! It might be my summer roving rod now, I am desperate to get down the river!
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