Paddle-Fishing.com

This is how I shorten a rear grip on a rod. Keep in mind if you plan to do this;
it may void your warranty.



Tools & material you will need: plier, 5 minute epoxy, hacksaw, masking tape, rubberized cork.
You will also need some fine, medium grit sand paper to shape the cork.
Rubberized cork can be purchased online from Mudhole
http://shop.mudhole.com/Rubberized-Cork ... tegory=270
You will also need a plug:
http://shop.mudhole.com/Cork-Rubber-But ... tegory=270



Step 1: Where here's our volunteer (thanks JD). Noticed that the rear grip is 12"; which is
way too long for a yak. So what we want to do is shorten it to 8".



Step 2: Mark where you plan to cut, this will be the total length of the rear grip.
In this case I'm taking about 4" inches off.



Step 3: Remove old cork using a plier by pinching off the cork.



Step 4: Once remove mark of 1/4" before the cork. This is where you will cut with a dremel tool with a cutoff whee. Wrap some masking tape around blank and cut.
Go slow with the dremel . After cutting off the rod blank, clean off the remaining cork with med. grit sand paper.



Step 5: This is what you're after. Now you're ready for the rubberize cork.



Step 6: To shape the cork, run it through a 1/4" bolt (see picture) and shape with sand paper.
Start with the coarse paper to fine grit. Once you get the desire shape, drill a 1/4" deep
hole using a bit that is roughly the size of the blank.



Step 7: Mix up your epoxy and glue the cork into place. Apply pressure on the cork and existing handle;
until epoxy sets.



Step 8: Here's a close up! Shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes.



If you have a existing butt cap and plan to re-use. The procedure is the same until step
4, you want to leave enough room for the cap. Measure the inside of the cap and this is how much you take off. Take masking tape and build up to fit cap. Mix up your epoxy and fit the cap in place.

I got a question for you. How do you like that Albright reel?

shouldn't you be inside watching the baby ? Man you have a very forgiving wife.

Dave,
I think its better than my Old Florida. Its well built and I like the non-ported side. It has an incoming & out going clicker. Where as the OF does not have an out going clicker. The quick release spool is very nice. Highly recommend it, plus for $165 you can't beat that.

May get another one and sell the old florida.

Great demonstration Noles.

For recent folks converted to kayak fishing, this will be a great thing to know how to do. I build all my rods with the shortened lower grip now.

Great post.

Where do you get the rubberized cork?

Sorry I left that out:

Rubberized cork can be purchased online from Mudhole
http://shop.mudhole.com/Rubberized-Cork ... tegory=270
You will also need a plug:
http://shop.mudhole.com/Cork-Rubber-But ... tegory=270

very interesting and useful post...thanks Noles

hopefully, the "boss" will archive it in the Articles section of this forum

how do you lengthen one?

Thanks Phinla!!! I can't wait to take it down to 10k .

I was fortunate enough to have my handle restored for the last article. Y'all shoul give it a try, it really freshens up the rod.

It is great to have these articles to print out as reference.

jd

Great Post Nole...but can you say Butt Plug here..

Norm

Shortcast wrote:Great Post Nole...but can you say Butt Plug here..

Norm

If you get the cork wet, would you be a cork soaker?

I have been waiting and waiting for one of the girls on this forum to say turn around and slap him. (How to shorten a rear grip)

Very nice post Peal a. Calling you Noles just seems like a bad thing to call someone to me.

I think you just need to tuck your thumb in for that.

That was a good post about shortening grips. Its necessary for fishing from a kayak to have a shorter grip and many of us need it but I think your leading many people astray by suggesting the use of a hack-saw to cut their rod. That's the worst thing to use on fiberous material. It will tear the fibers apart weakening the blank. You may get away with it on the outside of the blank by wrapping it in tape before making the cut but it will undoubtedly tear the fibers apart on the inside. I realize cutting the end of a butt is not going to be damaging since the cork handle reinforces the blank but sooner or later someone will want to make a cut on the main shaft and ruin it because they tried it on the butt section and had no ill effects.

A weakened blank will egg shape under pressure and ultimately collapse and break.

The proper way to cut a rod is by using a fine file. The finer the better. Jewelers files would be best but not necessary. Simply turn the file on its edge and start slowly cutting while turning the blank until you get through. Allow the file to do the work not cutting to deep on any one stroke. When using the right amount of pressure the rod material will turn to dust. If excess pressure is applied by trying to cut to deep the fibers will splinter weakening the blank.

It takes no more time and less effort to use a file rather than a saw. Protect your investment and use a file.