Where have all the pistol grips gone!

[BassManDan]

Why the hell does no one fish these kinda casting rods anymore?

I don't fish them myself, but I've been recently watching old KVD and Larry Nixon videos from the early 90's and the trusty pistol grip rod is a common theme.

Don't get me wrong, I don't know what I'd do without my 7'+ triggersticks, but I think I might build me a "progressively styled" pistol grip rod....

Cheers to the pistol grippers out there!

[ripnlip45]

Still fish one, they work great for rippn

[harry chang]

I really like how they feel and I still build a few of them, BUT with a twist. It is a pistol grip split rear grip. I stick the blank out of the back of the pistol grip and add the split rear grip to it. So the best of both world, confort and control of the pistol grip and leverage of the longer rear grip plus the aesthetics of a split grip.

Harry

[Norv]

ESOX Rods makes one. It's their 56CE. The rod is 5’6â€

[kopper_bass]

I have several of the old Don Iovino "noodlin" pistol grip rods. They can work great for flippin a spinnerbait under docks or something, but for me having those pistol grips is tough work on your wrists. Very hard to get leverage on those big fish! Guess they were really made for smaller fish than those delta hogs !

Kopper_Bass

[Andy Giannini]

I think casting is a different deal today. Efficiency has brought us the longer rods, while pinpoint accuracy has gone away.

Its tough to beat a pistol grip for walking/popping, or working tight cover, or docks.

In a while, the shorter rods will be rediscovered.

.02 A.G.

Shorter rods allow the angler more leverage on a fish, while longer ones like flippers actually give the fish more leverage. Its a physics thing, but think of flounder rods, they are short to help out the angler. Imagine yourself on the other end of a teetertoter on the short end! The guy on the longer is going to kick your butt, or your feet will never touch ground! Most longer rods are so to help present the baits.

A.G.

[bassenvy]

used to do some surgery on docks with the old pistol grips

[barse41]

american rodsmith has got one team series i dont have one but i do hav a couple of team series rods, i like em

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

It has always amazed me how people can relate accuracy with the length of the rod or even the type of reel being used..Accuracy is a matter of practice..Now distance and specific techniques may be easier accomplished with specific gear, but accuracy is not controlled by the rod or reel you use..It is controlled by you and how well you handle that rod and reel..

mac

[bassenvy]

a shorter rod is easier to manipulate in tight quarters...especially if your roll casting

[mark poulson]

Mac,
I'm 5'9" and use almost all 7' rods. For accuracy, I don't drop the lure down from the tip more than an inch or two before I cast. That way, I "throw" the lure, like a baseball. At least that's what it feels like to me. I can ususally hit whatever I'm looking at.
For distance, I have more drop down.
I use to use a pistol grip BPS Bionic 5'6" med heavy for blades in cover, and a 6' med. Low Rider for most other stuff when I fished around lots of cover, for accuracy. Accurate, but no distance.
But, since I fish down here in SoCal, I need longer casts most of the time, so I've gone to the longer rods, and learned how to control them.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I agree Mark..Accuracy comes with practice..

mac

[BassManDan]

Alright, I gotta build one!

They totally seem like they would be the perfect tool for ripbaits and even some light pitching, and it would definitely make those roll casts a little easier.

[Greg_Cornish]

Anyone have a photo? Is this what it looks like?
http://bp2.blogger.com/_DDOkCY0OR-Y/RZy ... GP5452.JPG

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

That is the culprit we are talking about Greg..Not too many years ago they were the in thing in rods, then they just seemed to go away for the most part..I had about ten or so, including an original Lew"s Speed Stick, but unfortunately, someone else thought they could put them to better use than I could and promptly removed them from my rack in my garage..I still have one, a short 4 1/2 footer Boron rod..I haven't used it in years though..

mac

[fish_food]

...but I think I might build me a "progressively styled" pistol grip rod....

The shortest offering in Loomis' Spinnerbait series has an "updated" stubby handle. It's cork with composite buttcap and an ovoid cross section. It looks better in real life than in pictures...

[Mike]

Can you say.......Carpal tunnel

[Mark Pollard]

I have two 6 ft pistol grip rods that I have had since I was 18. They work great for ripping. I actually get less tired ripping the pistol grips then a regular ripping rod from Lomis a lamiglass. I do have to agree about fighting a true bruzer on one is a challenge.
I like them at Oroville, McClure or Shasta for those 1-3 pound spots when I ripped at those lakes.

[BassManDan]

Fish_food,

I'm talking progressively styled , not some ugly corked Loomis!

Stylized reargrip, no foregrip, cool wraps and a gimmicky name! I don't build frumpy lookin rods!!

But yeah, don't think I'd wanna battle anything much over 4 lb on a shorty grip, like them long rear grips stuffed under my elbow.

Later,

[fish_food]

Fish_food,

I'm talking progressively styled , not some ugly corked Loomis!

Then try these on for size:

[Greg_Cornish]

Wow only $589 before shipping from the orient.

[fish_food]

Wow only $589 before shipping from the orient.

You can easily spend that much (or even more, if you so choose) on a domestically made rod before shipping from the good ol' USA...

[Greg_Cornish]

Wow only $589 before shipping from the orient.

You can easily spend that much (or even more, if you so choose) on a domestically made rod before shipping from the good ol' USA...

I can't

[12lblargemouth]

It all comes down to two things, being able to drive the hook, and being able to provide the desired action of your bait bein thrown!!! IMO of course. If you are getting that hookset that is coming from your base and not just your wrist forearms, it makes all the difference in the world. We all know what happens when you dont bury the hook on one of those delta slobs (you never get to see them). When it comes to accuracy there is huge difference in commanding a smaller rod than using a 7'2 or 7ft rod, sure you can get use to casting and pitching any rod if you "practice" enough, but there is a reason why people put down the 7ft rods and pick up the 6'6 when navigating tight cover and its not just because they have more practice with the 6'6, its just a more managable size. IMO again I dont miss pistol grips at all! No Offense

[big_limits]

The first baitcast rod I ever used was a pistol grip. That was the most uncomfortable experience ever. The wrist takes a toll and I definitely do not miss it.

[Greg_Cornish]

Here's a couple for the handy man CLICK HERE