Jig stick reel placement - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mr. Adventure · 05-19-2012, 10:34 AM

So before I knew any better I jumped on buying a used surface iron rod. A calstar 690j, it was custom wrapped in a iron man theme and I was sold. Unfortunately when I went out with Kevin and checked out his setups and he checked out mine, the reel seat is set way too high up. It's supposed to be from the elbow at the butt to where your wrist is right?

Unfortunately that's where my hand is (sorry for the lousy photo it was hard to take myself) and you can see several inches ahead is the seat.

So I know the best route is to just buy a new jigs tick deckhand style. Unfortunately I'm blowing the budget on a bait tank, and I kind of like the rod.

Do I have any options besides dealing with it.

Only thing I can think of is wrapping the split section with cork (or having someone do it, is it like wrapping a bike bar?) and slapping a cork puppy On there. My hand rests right there before the grip starts and maybe I could get away with that?

I have no clue if I could cut a few inches out of that mid section and shorten it.

I would rather ask silly questions here than look like an idiot In the tackle shop

Also last option, anyone have a good working older stick they aren't using they could part with for a friendly price.

Thanks pals!

grey zone · 05-19-2012, 06:46 PM

Cut the hypolon off then grind through the reel seat. Not the easiest thing to do but I have taken reel seats off before this way. After you get everything off the blank you can put on cork tape or any other grip that can be wrapped on.

taggermike · 05-20-2012, 09:30 AM

That is an oddly set up rod. The previouse owner might have been in the NBA. It's sorta configured like a surf casting rod but it has a trigger. I second Mr. Adventure. Cut the reel seat off. Maybe leave the hypolon intact though. It is in a usable condition and it does look cool. Some people like hyp on thier jig sticks. I have a few of the split grip rods and when I redid the handle of my Ulua I set it up split grip and really like it. If you like the split grip style you can add 4-6 inches of cork wrap right where you need the reel to go. I like tuna cord over the cork. Or just strip the whole thing and put on the cork. Either way you'll end with a great one of a kind rod. Mike

taggermike · 05-20-2012, 10:08 AM

I found a few shots of the minimal split grip handle I put on my ulua. Mike

MarkT · 05-20-2012, 11:47 AM

There's nothing magic about reel placement although putting it where your hand fall when the butt lines up with your elbow is traditional. Try it as is and see if you like it. The longer butt makes it easier to fish with it under your arm which may be advantageous from the yak.

Mr. Adventure · 05-21-2012, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the pointers, here's how it stands now. I'll wrap it with cord after I give it a few practice tries but I'm ready to get out there and sling some jigs!

05-19-2012, 10:34 AM	#1
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Jig stick reel placement So before I knew any better I jumped on buying a used surface iron rod. A calstar 690j, it was custom wrapped in a iron man theme and I was sold. Unfortunately when I went out with Kevin and checked out his setups and he checked out mine, the reel seat is set way too high up. It's supposed to be from the elbow at the butt to where your wrist is right? Unfortunately that's where my hand is (sorry for the lousy photo it was hard to take myself) and you can see several inches ahead is the seat. So I know the best route is to just buy a new jigs tick deckhand style. Unfortunately I'm blowing the budget on a bait tank, and I kind of like the rod. Do I have any options besides dealing with it. Only thing I can think of is wrapping the split section with cork (or having someone do it, is it like wrapping a bike bar?) and slapping a cork puppy On there. My hand rests right there before the grip starts and maybe I could get away with that? I have no clue if I could cut a few inches out of that mid section and shorten it. I would rather ask silly questions here than look like an idiot In the tackle shop Also last option, anyone have a good working older stick they aren't using they could part with for a friendly price. Thanks pals!

05-19-2012, 06:46 PM	#2
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	Cut the hypolon off then grind through the reel seat. Not the easiest thing to do but I have taken reel seats off before this way. After you get everything off the blank you can put on cork tape or any other grip that can be wrapped on.

05-20-2012, 09:30 AM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	That is an oddly set up rod. The previouse owner might have been in the NBA. It's sorta configured like a surf casting rod but it has a trigger. I second Mr. Adventure. Cut the reel seat off. Maybe leave the hypolon intact though. It is in a usable condition and it does look cool. Some people like hyp on thier jig sticks. I have a few of the split grip rods and when I redid the handle of my Ulua I set it up split grip and really like it. If you like the split grip style you can add 4-6 inches of cork wrap right where you need the reel to go. I like tuna cord over the cork. Or just strip the whole thing and put on the cork. Either way you'll end with a great one of a kind rod. Mike

05-20-2012, 11:47 AM	#5
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	There's nothing magic about reel placement although putting it where your hand fall when the butt lines up with your elbow is traditional. Try it as is and see if you like it. The longer butt makes it easier to fish with it under your arm which may be advantageous from the yak.

05-21-2012, 02:06 PM	#6
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Thanks for the pointers, here's how it stands now. I'll wrap it with cord after I give it a few practice tries but I'm ready to get out there and sling some jigs!