float rod handle???

[BigAl]

I would like to buy 13ft St Croix rod to use with my new C-pin reel. I checked the rod and only one thing stopped me from buying it yesterday. It has the handle D (cork with 2 plastic rings). Are they any good? Am I going to have a problem with my reel failing of the rod when I start fighting a monster steelhead? Thanks for your tips. Alex

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=77735&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults


P.S. I have checked Okuma Aventa 15.6 and 13.6 float rods, and I am not sure that I like them. They are much heavier. Has someone tried them?

[toto]

I've had a rod before with these rings, although it wasn't long drift rod, I hated thems anyways. Had my reel fall off and barely got it back, thank God the water was shallow where it fell off. You can try taping the reel to the rod but that doesn't seem to work either, at least in my experience.

[gomer]

electrical tape

[stelmon]

Hey BigAl,
I checked out the rods at basspro and thought both the okuhma rods were wimpy. Checked out the croix but so far the raven has it beat. Good luck with your purchase:)

[Eggsniffer]

I've used all types of handles and tenessee sliding rings are my favorite. They make the lightest rod, they are also warm to hold onto (all cork) and you can experiment where you like your reel positioned. I'm having a custom built this winter that's on a tenesee handle. You shouldn't have any problems with the reel sliding, just use a piece of e-tape on each ring to keep it from moving and you'll be fine.

[REG]

If you can find heat shrink tubing, that would work even better. Electric tape sometimes will pull small chunks out of the cork if you pull the tape off.

[Mags]

Check out the Loomis float rods.........much nicer than either the Okuma or St. Croix. I have a buddy over in Windsor who float fishes almost exclusively, and he has like 2 or 3 Loomis float rods, and loves 'em. Loomis offers some different versions available in Canada vs. whats available here, though.