help on building a pin rod

[mbg drift]

I just got my reel in the mail today and have a 11'6" raven blank to build. What is the set up you all like? I am wondering about handle placement mostly. Do you like 7'' rear grip, reel seat, 7" foregrip? Should the foregrip be longer? Is there something to keep in mind about the reel seat? Any tips would be helpful for a new pinner.
Drift

[Steelhead Addict]

here's a shot of a rod that i built for pinning. its a 11'6" rainshadow blank. I build the rod with a 12" rear cork and a 5 inch fore cork. its really not a huge deal, however, if I'd do it again...I'd probably go with a 9" or 10" rear...might go with a 7" fore...but I'd error on a longer side for the rear. You want it to tuck under your arm a bit when casting. I found a michigan style handle tiring on the wrist.

I perfer a reel seat, so i when with this setup. One other thing that I went with is oversized cork....a bit more comfy on the hands.

if you want something more flexible you can go with rings on solid cork (and electrical tape / zip ties). I don't prefer this setup.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2378937448_e71e3a1ac9_b.jpg

guys out there that have more experience pinning might have a lot more to add.

[FishKilla419]

I don't have any experience building rods. I will say though the rear grip on my 1601 is to long for my short arms (it's always hitting me in the side). Also I would have put the reel a little farther down the rod ( it's a little top heavy even with a heavy reel.
My 2 cents.

[Ron Matthews]

I like the butt long as my forearm, so I can Pinch it against my body.15-16"
Casts better for me, Less fatigue. Save's my *** after a couple day's in a row..

Hold the reel in Your flat hand, measure to your elbow from the center of reel seat.

If you side cast? You'll want a shorter rear, But I wouldn't suggest that.

[gomer]

Fishkilla, are you kidding? the 1601 has probably the shortest rear grip out of any factory float rod and having a shorter rear grip like you suggested would make it even more tip heavy. Like Ron said, with a longer rear grip you can use your body for leverage when you wallis cast and it makes it easier to BC cast when you can grab the rear grip and "let er fly" two handed. A long foregrip is useless in a float rod because you barely even touch any of the cork when you are holding the rod.

my 11'6" has, if i remember correctly, a 7in rear grip (not including the butt cap which is another 1.5 inches) and a 3 inch fore grip.

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v60/23/100/40601707/n40601707_31037581_1685.jpg

[Ron Matthews]

That's a sweet setup on a 11.6, A Fine example!

It's all in your style as to what you'll like best.:)

[FishKilla419]

Fishkilla, are you kidding? the 1601 has probably the shortest rear grip out of any factory float rod and having a shorter rear grip like you suggested would make it even more tip heavy. Like Ron said, with a longer rear grip you can use your body for leverage when you wallis cast and it makes it easier to BC cast when you can grab the rear grip and "let er fly" two handed. A long foregrip is useless in a float rod because you barely even touch any of the cork when you are holding the rod.

my 11'6" has, if i remember correctly, a 7in rear grip (not including the butt cap which is another 1.5 inches) and a 3 inch fore grip.

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v60/23/100/40601707/n40601707_31037581_1685.jpg
Lighten up Mr. Pyle. As I stated I have no experience building rods and I've only been pinnin for less than a year. I was thinking having the reel farther down the blank would help with the balance not shortening the rod from where the reel sits now. Thinking about I don't think shorter would be better for me. Still getting used to casting and fishing with this kinda setup. I use a pull or mod. wallis cast. Chuck tryed to show me how to side cast the first time I held a pin setup and it wasn't workin for me so I just learned the pull cast or whatever you call it.
Forearm wrist to elbow is less than 11".

[gomer]

Fishkilla, I didn't mean to come off on ya in a bad tone. I re-read my post and saw how it could have been taken that way. I was just surprized someone would think the 1601 had too long of a rear grip...:lol:

[mbg drift]

Thanks for the replies. I use a baitcaster for float fishing now with a 13" rear grip and it feels good so I'll probably go with at least a 11" rear and a 5" fore.
Just wondered how you all felt about balance of the rod and I think I'm getting a picture on how to do it.
Happy fishing!
Mark

[thesteelheadsniper]

If you tend to palm the spool for drag, go with a 7" foregrip and a 10" or so rear....if you use your fingers the longer foregrip is pointless, and the reel should be moved forward a bit to help balance it. Most guys don't like to go much shorter than 4-5" on the foregrip though as it can impead casting....that's not to say EVERYBODY swings that way, but it seems alot of guys I know run it that way.


I also like to keep around a 20" handle cork to cork on most float rods...

[axisgear]

If you tend to palm the spool for drag, go with a 7" foregrip and a 10" or so rear....if you use your fingers the longer foregrip is pointless, and the reel should be moved forward a bit to help balance it. Most guys don't like to go much shorter than 4-5" on the foregrip though as it can impead casting....that's not to say EVERYBODY swings that way, but it seems alot of guys I know run it that way.


I also like to keep around a 20" handle cork to cork on most float rods...

Both the word of Sniper and that of Ron Matthews [and Gomer,too]are very good. I have a personal tendency toward longer foregrips[because I "high stick"] and longer rear grips[because I'm getting older and my shoulders are garbage thanks to mistakes I have made in life]. Here is my absolute favorite rod right now,my 12' Lamiglas that I built for ME! It has a 7.5 inch fore grip[Fugi cork over downlocker turned around and modified with 16mm AmTack uplocking seat hardware.Cocobolo winding check and butt cap are custom done by me,for me!] and a 10.5 inch rear.http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/axisgear/california002.jpg?t=1209869146

Grip fore and aft don't seem to have too much effect on casting for me,but a longer rear is better for swing or "BC" casting.

Good luck and have fun with it.

[thesteelheadsniper]

OMG I love that 12' Lamiglas!!! Mine has proven the most versitle rod on the planet for ME too....can I buy my blank back...again:lol: Wish I had a pic of mine:idea:

[REG]

If you have access to a rod with Tennessee grips, it might be best to try that out. What I find, in general, is that the taller and lankier the person, the more they prefer a longer butt grip. The whole point with the trying a similar rod with a Tennessee handle is that you find the sweet spot for what fits you best. For me, being kind of "stumpy", I don't like butt handles any longer than 9", which is too bad for me, because moving the reel forward on a long stick tends to balance it better without using as much weight.

Other than that, do what you can to make sure the rod is correctly balanced to your reel. Seems like most steelhead rods over 10 feet long tend to want to be tip heavy. You can help balance it out and avoid tip heaviness by:
1) Stay with as light of a guide (weightwise) you can. Unfortunately, they tend to be more expensive. Alot has been said about REC guides, as they are the lightest on the market, but they will groove on you, especially, it seems, if used alot in cold temps. Titanium frame SIC's are nice, but $$$. Bottom line is get the best as your budget allows.
2) Don't overdo the number of guides. Not only does it add weight to the tip, but can also dampen/soften the action of the rod blank.
3) The biggest thing is to counterbalance your handle to offset any tip heaviness.

Good luck with the build.

[mbg drift]

Man guys.:mad:
I thought I had all supplies for building the raven but now axisgear threw in a sweet pic of his rod and now I want to steal the foregrip idea. I can tell already that I will be building a couple more pin rods. The madness never stops. Thanks to all who posted pics and ideas. It helps alot.
Drift