Pistol Grip Rods - What's Your Opinion Of Them? 2024
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I am starting this thread as a curiosity since a lot of us -now old timers- grew up learning how to fish using pistol grip rods.
So I am infinitely curious if any "modern day" fishermen are still using them?
To make a long story short, I grew up using pistol grip rods and recently I had an arm-muscle injury that caused me to pull out some of my decades old pistol grip rods and begin using them again. I was amazed at how the rod and reel package was more like a natural extension of my arm and so easy to use. My injury made using my longer rods 7' to 7'11" more painful to use for a short while this past summer and so I dropped down to the 5'6" range with the old pistol grips and discovered how much I still liked them, and it is now getting me to think about building some brand new rods with a pistol grip, but using modern rod blank technology and titanium oxide guides done in a spiral wrap. And I may experiment and push the rod length up to 6' but I realize I gotta worry about leverage and not having too much rod out there working against me.
So to get started I pulled out the one old pistol grip rod I hated the most, an old Lew's Speed stick, which is basically a whippy rod not much better than tying line on to a rubber band and trying to fish with it. It is a rod I would never use so I am removing the old pistol grip handle to use it for my new rod experimenting.
But there are a couple of old pistol grip rods in my collection that to this day are still amazing old rods to use as they are stock- an old Shimano graphite rod, a Ryobi graphite rod, and my oldest old favorite a 6' Abu Garcia fiberglass rod. Heck, I even found an old Ugly Stick in there too, but that one just collects dust now.
I find it really difficult to modify some of these old rods I still like so much, but I am thinking of redoing the guides on the old Ryobi rod since they are getting close to needing repair anyways, I might as well remove them and turn that old rod into a spiral wrap for next season's fishing here in central Florida.
This past summer due to the arm muscle injury my favorite less painful modern type of rod was a 6'6" rod shaft through the handle rod. As I used it I began to realize that basically it was constructed not much differently than an old pistol grip rod which is what prompted me to pull out the old pistol grips. But I suppose the point that really hit home for me was that the modern rods with rob blank running down through the handle is more like a tool in my hand with somewhat of a disconnected feel to it, while the pistol grip rods felt way more connected to me and almost like a natural extension of my arm.
So what do you guys think about pistol grip rods? Does anyone here still use them? Do they still have a place in fishing today?
roadwarrior reply :
Not for me, I cast with two hands.
Goose52 reply :
A "niche" rod for close-quarters, sometimes the only way to get a casting rod 5'6" or shorter without going custom, otherwise - an antique...
scaleface reply :
I prefer shorter handles than what is on most rods . Longer handles get in the way . I still use a couple of the old original pistol grip Lightning rods for top water fishing .
Raul reply :
Modern day fishermen have never seen a pistol grip because practically nobody makes them anymore.
I´m an old timer and still keep a couple of 5'6" pistol grips in my arsenal, when it comes to placing a bait with pinpoint accuracy 30 yds away like if I had dropped the bait with my hand in that spot nobody can beat me with one of those rods in my hands.
EricTheAngler reply :
They look kinda ugly to me 
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Bass Pro Shops still sells them!
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Power-Plus-Graphite-Casting-Rod/product/98362/
But all of them are in the cheaper price range and none are made to high standards.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
I own more pistol grips then anything they work on my yak perfect,i also have short handle rods ,30yrds is my sweet spot i can put a superfluke anywhere with a pistol grip at any angle with my eyes closed .i have just about every brand and some that are 20 plus yrs old.modern day bassers look at my combos like whats that,,then they see me dissect a area with precision accuracy.
offsidewing reply :
My father has used these exclusively for 40 years. He prefers the pistol grips with the handles bent downwards behind the reel seat. When he uses crankbaits he has success as typically these are MM rods. He can't catch a cold with them when using plastics. Because of the success with crankbaits, he refuses to switch to spinning gear for plastics. He's as stubborn as he is educated. He watched me pull out 8-10 trophy fish this season all on spinning gear while he couldn't make a hook set. I just got him 68MXF Avid X for Christmas with a Plueger President reel. His question when he saw the gift "How much do you think it would cost to put one of those pistol grips on this?" I almost snapped the rod over my knee.
scaleface reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 1:38 AM, offsidewing said:My father has used these exclusively for 40 years. He prefers the pistol grips with the handles bent downwards behind the reel seat. When he uses crankbaits he has success as typically these are MM rods. He can't catch a cold with them when using plastics. Because of the success with crankbaits, he refuses to switch to spinning gear for plastics. He's as stubborn as he is educated. He watched me pull out 8-10 trophy fish this season all on spinning gear while he couldn't make a hook set. I just got him 68MXF Avid X for Christmas with a Plueger President reel. His question when he saw the gift "How much do you think it would cost to put one of those pistol grips on this?" I almost snapped the rod over my knee.
I dont use spinning gear for soft plastics either . It would be a huge downgrade where I fish .
Raul reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 1:17 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Bass Pro Shops still sells them!
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Power-Plus-Graphite-Casting-Rod/product/98362/
But all of them are in the cheaper price range and none are made to high standards.
They may be in BPS´ catalog but that doesn´t mean they are physically available at all the store all the time, I have been to BPS Springfield, BPS Katy ( Houston ), BPS Grapevine ( Dallas ), BPS St Charles ( St Louis ) and BPS San Antonio on several occasions and have never seen a pistol grip on store.
Why would anyone purchase a rod with low standards ?
So when I say that practically nobody makes them anymore I´m not lying.
KDW96 reply :
I like them. I grew up with having berkly lightining rods 5ft6in. Caught alot of fish with them. Im more accurate with them also,but i still have the standard straight also. As far as accurosy,the pistol grip works better for me. Due to having 2 strokes,my right sides not the same, and im finding the pistol grip more comfortable. Esspecialy the ones with the built in hump behind the reel.
dcmclassic reply :
I have two old pistol grips that were in service until recently. One is at least 20yrs old and a BPS TS MH 6' that was shortened to 5'8". And an old Berkley 5'6". My daughter is using the Berkley and the BPS was finally retired for a Falcon Cara T7 6' MH that Falcon had laying around on a shelf. It has the shorter handle but its not a pistol grip. Its an essential piece of my arsenal when looking for reaction bites in really tight spaces.
thread jack- Can't bring myself to use spinning gear for traditional T-rigging, can't really see the benefit. I keep my spinning gear to finesse swimbaits, dropshot and light shakey heads- which I just recently started using on a regular basis.- end of thread jack
dcmclassic reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 2:05 AM, Raul said:They may be in BPS´ catalog but that doesn´t mean they are physically available at all the store all the time, I have been to BPS Springfield, BPS Katy ( Houston ), BPS Grapevine ( Dallas ), BPS St Charles ( St Louis ) and BPS San Antonio on several occasions and have never seen a pistol grip on store.
Why would anyone purchase a rod with low standards ?
So when I say that practically nobody makes them anymore I´m not lying.
Try the BPS in Pearland. Everything else you would be looking for won't be there but they usually have a nice pistol grip selection.
Mumbly reply :
I have a few 5'6" pistol grip rods that I primarily use for walking baits. Working a spook with a pistol grip is so much nicer for me.
They worked well for Charlie Campbell.
fishstick reply :
I still use them mainly for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. My favorite is a BPS Tourney Special. I have caught several fish on it. Nothing like catching a good one on a shorter rod. I have plenty of longer, non pistol grip rods, but this is my favorite rod to catch them on without a doubt.
Goose52 reply :
For those that like them...in addition to the BPS pistol grip options, St. Croix makes a 5'6" in the Premier series, Lew's has a 6', there may be others as well.
FWIW.
PourMyOwn reply :
They fit in the trunk of my car, so I always have one with a lip less crank bait with me. They don't go into the boat though. Mine are early 80s BPS boron rods, 5'6".
the reel ess reply :
I just finally yard sold my last two bass pistol grip rods. After years if clicking the mouse for a living, I like to cast two-handed now. I have one spincast for creeks and live bait bluegill fishing. But I have a light action spinning that I prefer to it.
the reel ess reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 2:17 AM, Mumbly said:I have a few 5'6" pistol grip rods that I primarily use for walking baits. Working a spook with a pistol grip is so much nicer for me.
They worked well for Charlie Campbell.
I tried to salvage an old 5-6 pistol grip rod that was losing the cork handle for that purpose. I wanted to remove all the cork handle and replace with a linger straight grip, but I just butchered it and threw away.
Raul reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 2:15 AM, dcmclassic said:Try the BPS in Pearland. Everything else you would be looking for won't be there but they usually have a nice pistol grip selection.
Don´t need to try anywhere, I already have 2, they have been with me since the late 80´s, Berkley Lightning Rod LR15 and LR16.
Jake the Cake reply :
I have a pistol grip rod that's been with me since I graduated from a snoopy pole and I think it works great. I think the best use for it is accuracy. Don't get me wrong, all the new poles I have are great and accurate and perfect in every way but I can knock the wings off a fly with that pistol grip rod. It could also be that way because I've fished it for 20+ years!
tander reply :
I still have a Lowrider Falcon pistol grip. Still use it from time to time. When I started fishing that was all you could buy and mostly used 5'6" rod. Now you will lucky to find a 6'6". I still like the pistol grip for jerkbaits.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 1:06 AM, Raul said:I´m an old timer and still keep a couple of 5'6" pistol grips in my arsenal, when it comes to placing a bait with pinpoint accuracy 30 yds away like if I had dropped the bait with my hand in that spot nobody can beat me with one of those rods in my hands.
So what I am reading here repeated a couple of times is that some fishermen believe that they can cast more accurately with pistol grip rods than they can with rod-blank-through-the-handle rods.
If this is true, then what is it that makes the difference?
Is it because the pistol grip rods are shorter and are held in the hand more like a wand? Or, is it because in rod-blank-through-the-handle rods that maybe the extra rod blank that extends beyond the grip point is getting in the way some how?
I am curious what some of you think gives some of us the thought that we can cast more accurately with a pistol grip rod than the more modern type with rod-blank-through-the-handle?
Wayne P. reply :
I have blank-through-handle pistol grip rods and offset pistol grip rods. The original offset ones (Lews and BPS copies) are more comfortable to handle with a better wrist position. I use them for Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I have a decades old Lew's Speed Stick that I use for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in my kayak. It's a little awkward at first but I adjust quickly.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
I have a 6' with a short grip and modern seat. I use it for flukes and small shallow cranks. I prefer the design over the old style pistol grip due to the little bit of grip to brace against my wrist/ forearm.
Raul reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 11:08 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:So what I am reading here repeated a couple of times is that some fishermen believe that they can cast more accurately with pistol grip rods than they can with rod-blank-through-the-handle rods.
If this is true, then what is it that makes the difference?
Is it because the pistol grip rods are shorter and are held in the hand more like a wand? Or, is it because in rod-blank-through-the-handle rods that maybe the extra rod blank that extends beyond the grip point is getting in the way some how?
I am curious what some of you think gives some of us the thought that we can cast more accurately with a pistol grip rod than the more modern type with rod-blank-through-the-handle?
I have only owned one non blank thru handle pistol grip a 5´6" MH Kunan, it had the typical Fuji handle where you seat your reel and tighten it via a screw, I sold it because it was a little bit heavy and the handle didn´t fit my hand well, it was a little bit too wide when compared to my LRs which have a flatter sides ( I also had a Silstar rod with the same characteristics in the handle ) these rods have blank thru handle design but that has, imo, nothing to do with the mechanics, it´s the length of the handle paired to the length of the rod that allows you to maneuver the rod like a wand. But not everything is cookies, you may have greater accuracy but the problem rises when you have to set the hook and fight the fish, in that department the pistol grip is light years behind the straight longer handle of trigger rods.
Jake the Cake reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 11:08 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:So what I am reading here repeated a couple of times is that some fishermen believe that they can cast more accurately with pistol grip rods than they can with rod-blank-through-the-handle rods.
If this is true, then what is it that makes the difference?
Is it because the pistol grip rods are shorter and are held in the hand more like a wand? Or, is it because in rod-blank-through-the-handle rods that maybe the extra rod blank that extends beyond the grip point is getting in the way some how?
I am curious what some of you think gives some of us the thought that we can cast more accurately with a pistol grip rod than the more modern type with rod-blank-through-the-handle?
For me, I think it's because that was the one and only rod I used for the first 15+ years of my fishing life so I'm comfortable with it. Didn't discover spinning rods and reels until I was in my 20's. Lol looking back on it, the only reason I had that pistol grip is probably because my dad gave me a reel that didn't suit his needs anymore.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Never heard of the word low standards on a fishing rod ,i have lightning rods.and falcons that are.pistol grips,same guides,graphite,threading on the longer ones only diff is a pistol grip, !!
buzzed bait reply :
On 12/29/2015 at 1:38 AM, offsidewing said:My father has used these exclusively for 40 years. He prefers the pistol grips with the handles bent downwards behind the reel seat. When he uses crankbaits he has success as typically these are MM rods. He can't catch a cold with them when using plastics. Because of the success with crankbaits, he refuses to switch to spinning gear for plastics. He's as stubborn as he is educated. He watched me pull out 8-10 trophy fish this season all on spinning gear while he couldn't make a hook set. I just got him 68MXF Avid X for Christmas with a Plueger President reel. His question when he saw the gift "How much do you think it would cost to put one of those pistol grips on this?" I almost snapped the rod over my knee.
your dad and my dad are twins it sounds like!
he hand picked through every single rod Cabela's offered until he found just the right pistol grip rod.... which happened to be some cheapo combo. he tore the reel off, and put his trusty daiwa gold spincast on there and he was a happy camper. that old schooler still catches them though.....
Senko lover reply :
I was gifted an old 5'6 custom made rod, (I think that qualifies as a pistol grip lol) and have been using it a lot. Took me a while to get used to it, but I like it a lot now. I like throwing spinnerbaits on it.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 12/30/2015 at 2:11 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:Never heard of the word low standards on a fishing rod ,i have lightning rods.and falcons that are.pistol grips,same guides,graphite,threading on the longer ones only diff is a pistol grip, !!
If I said lower standard let me clarify that I meant that what I see today on Bass Pro Shops website for example is that all of the pistol grip rods cost $10.99 to $19.99 and are made in China type of thing. It is not like Bass Pro is selling any high end $200 plus dollar pistol grip rods. Huge difference in between.
Like you, I have an old pistol grip 6' MH fast action Berkley Bionix graphite rod. It is light and sensitive and strong and now 25 years old and still like new. But I am not sure about those new BPS $10.99 pistol grippers is anywhere close to the quality level we are use to today. I'd call that a lower standard.
Hey I know a lower standard! I see it in Walmart all the time. My two young sons are always grabbing for them too, the spider man blue plastic kid rod and reels... My 2 year old keeps yelling "mine" every time we pass by them as he is reaching for it...
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Ok i know what you.mean now not the actual pistol grip handle but the build quaility of said cheap rods.id still one day like to get my HAND on a JDM pistol grip rod though.
offsidewing reply :
On 12/30/2015 at 2:21 AM, buzzed bait said:your dad and my dad are twins it sounds like!
he hand picked through every single rod Cabela's offered until he found just the right pistol grip rod.... which happened to be some cheapo combo. he tore the reel off, and put his trusty daiwa gold spincast on there and he was a happy camper. that old schooler still catches them though.....
My father kills 'em with his spincast/bent pistol grip rods when it's time for crankbaits. Daiwa Gold spincast rod for him too! It kills me everytime we go smallmouth fishing in deep water and he can't set a hook if he cast into the middle of a thicket. He thinks its him and not the gear.
*Hootie reply :
I notice a lot of guys referring to their fishing rods as poles. When I was a kid, I hitchhiked to the lake with some fishing line in my pocket, along with some hooks and sinkers. I would then cut myself a pole. I just can't bring myself to call my $400.00+ GLX's poles. I know, this has nothing to do with the topic...lol.
Hootie
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
A fishing pole to me is a limb or peice of bamboo with no reel or guides.
*Hootie reply :
On 12/30/2015 at 11:45 PM, Maxximus Redneckus said:A fishing pole to me is a limb or peice of bamboo with no reel or guides.
Exactly!
Hootie
Raul reply :
On 12/30/2015 at 11:44 PM, *Hootie said:I notice a lot of guys referring to their fishing rods as poles. When I was a kid, I hitchhiked to the lake with some fishing line in my pocket, along with some hooks and sinkers. I would then cut myself a pole. I just can't bring myself to call my $400.00+ GLX's poles. I know, this has nothing to do with the topic...lol.
Hootie
POLE:
*Hootie reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 2:42 AM, Raul said:POLE:
Perfect!
Hootie
Bladesmith, reply :
Several people on this thread have referred to pistol grip rods as being lower quality rods. I beg to differ with that opinion. I have a Browning graphite 5 1/2 ft. rod that I use occasionally for lighter weight grubs and jigs that is just as sensitive as my newer rods. I also have a Browning Boron rod that is an excellent jig rod. I mostly use modern rods with the newer style grips but the older ones still work well for me.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 3:03 AM, Bladesmith, said:Several people on this thread have referred to pistol grip rods as being lower quality rods. I beg to differ with that opinion.
Not all of them, just that if you look at Bass Pro Shops available pistol grip rods made today, all of them are priced under $20. So I think the point was that today's newer pistol grip rods are being built to a lower standard.
Like you, I have older pistol grip rods that are of a much higher quality like my old Shimano graphite rod from the mid 1980's. It is a very nice quality graphite rod with stainless steel almost chrome handle. They are not making them like this any more. Here is an example of the higher quality shimano rod of the past:
Tournament bass professionals were using these back in mid 80's. It was good stuff back then. Still is today, but this is not what you will find at Bass Pro today, not even close!
James Pondscum reply :
Still have some pistol grip rods. Shakespeare USA graphite rods a president rod and a cabelas fisheagle . All through the handle graphite. I also have a sears rebranded ugly stick called a tuffstick with a lifetime warranty? And an old Shimano .
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 9:03 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Not all of them, just that if you look at Bass Pro Shops available pistol grip rods made today, all of them are priced under $20. So I think the point was that today's newer pistol grip rods are being built to a lower standard.
Like you, I have older pistol grip rods that are of a much higher quality like my old Shimano graphite rod from the mid 1980's. It is a very nice quality graphite rod with stainless steel almost chrome handle. They are not making them like this any more. Here is an example of the higher quality shimano rod of the past:
Tournament bass professionals were using these back in mid 80's. It was good stuff back then. Still is today, but this is not what you will find at Bass Pro today, not even close!
Id love to find some of these.you are correct though back then they put more quality in all the pistol grips .thats what they used most i think every decade length moved 6 inchs once you hit 6'6" its more about distance then they added long handles so you could push the bottom and your wrist became the fulcrum instead of your power.
Jrob78 reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 12:55 PM, Maxximus Redneckus said:Id love to find some of these.you are correct though back then they put more quality in all the pistol grips .thats what they used most i think every decade length moved 6 inchs once you hit 6'6" its more about distance then they added long handles so you could push the bottom and your wrist became the fulcrum instead of your power.
I agree. When the trend became longer rods, the pistol grip was dead in the water. You needed a longer handle and a different grip point to add some balance to the rod. Rod companies stopped making high quality pistol gripped rods when people stopped buying them in favor of a longer, straight gripped rod. That's why most pistol grip rods made today are low quality, the people who buy them aren't going to spend $60-$100 for a rod and reel.
tomustang reply :
I have a problem dropping things, I cast with both hands so no single gripped trigger handles
TxHawgs reply :
Speaking of higher grade pistol grip rods I have my first one my grandmother bought for me in the 80's it's a beautiful custom 5'6" graphite rod with a fugi removable grip and top of the line components. And also have the shimano bantam 251SG mag plus still in the box. That reels was 75 bucks back then. Also have the last pistol grip rod I bought in like 92, gloomis 5'6" IM6 with cork handle and it's like brand new. Would post pics but it's a pita. I read that shimano is coming out with a bantam reel this yr?
Bankbeater reply :
I have two of them, and I like them. They are easier to hold on to and more comfortable when casting a crankbait.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
One of the issues I have had with pistol grip rods over the years is the reel seat. I prefer the type that has a nut that threads down the handle going around the rod shaft like this one:
The type of pistol grip reel seat I have had problems with is the type with a screw going up through the bottom of the pistol grip that pulls down a piece onto the reel foot. I had some of these that simply would not tighten down all the way and the reel was loose and rocked around in the reel seat. Anyone else have this problem?
Here is an example of the type of pistol grip presently for sale on ebay I would not buy nor use:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Vintage-Casting-Rod-Handles-w-pistol-grip-USA-NICE-Reduced-/281899056002?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276
I also don't like the cheap plastic construction for pistol grips. I know they are heavier, but after some bad experiences breaking a pistol grip with a big bass on the line I now prefer all metal pistol grips to plastic.
J Francho reply :
Tendinitis dictates two handed casting, so as much as liked them, they're too uncomfortable these days.
dave reply :
There is a tackle shop down from my office that has a St. Croix pistol grip rod.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2016 at 6:18 AM, dave said:There is a tackle shop down from my office that has a St. Croix pistol grip rod.
Right now on ebay is a pair of St. Croix pistol grip rods I was looking at today:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TWO-ST-CROIX-PREMIER-2403-ML-56-PISTOL-GRIP-CASTING-RODS-MADE-IN-USA-/172042909482?hash=item280e8e772a:g:S44AAOSwo3pWgDq5
Wish I had one- or, both! 
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I think one of the most interesting pistol grip rods ever made was made by Shimano, their Magnumlite Fightin' Rod series. Shimano made a rod and the handle one piece by basically cutting the handle out of the rod blank itself. To my knowledge I don't think anyone else ever made anything like this shimano pistol grip rod:
It was a uniquely shaped all graphite rod blank with an unusually large diameter base that the handle was carved into.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Fenwick made a rod similar called a hooksetter i have 2 of them not pistol grips though short handled 5'6"
Wayne P. reply :
There was another rod series made that way too to go along with the Spiderwire reels. Spinning and casting versions--straight handles.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I could not locate any spiderwire rods, but I did find a couple of Fenwick pistol grip rods on ebay with one being sold for $175!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fenwick-HMG-graphite-pistol-grip-casting-rod-GFC-556-Fuji-handle-/291652329517?hash=item43e7d5602d:g:7FEAAOSwLN5WiaEU
I also found this interesting old Grizzly Fenwick rod with a really cool featherweight pistol grip I'd sure like to get my hands on just this handle:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grizzly-Fenwick-Model-CA-624-Rod-Fishing-Baitcasting-Original-FEATHERWEIGHT-GRIP-/131677036978?hash=item1ea89021b2:g:RiQAAOSwbdpWZxDS
And while scoping out some old pistol grip rods on ebay tonight I found this neat old Quantum pistol grip that is designed to look like the shimano rod I mentioned above in another comment:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-Magnum-Plus-graphite-fightin-rod-style-pistol-grip-casting-rod-/291652300373?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276
contium reply :
Every now and then I break out with one of my 5'6" Phoenix boron rods from the 80's. I keep threatening myself to go back to them. I am extremely accurate with them. I have no issues with distance. I really don't see my longer rods casting any further. I think because of the short rod and handle, you can whip it easier which generates a lot of tip speed. I fished with them for decades and never had an issue with hooksets back then. They just feel a more natural extension of my arm and actually easier on my arm. And the shorter handle doesn't get in the way. I like the angled Fuji Speedgrip type handle over what St Cruix offers on their pistol grips. There is just something about the way it feels.
Wayne P. reply :
6' Medium
*Hootie reply :
Bass Pro Stick
Eagle claw
Sears Tuff Stik
Hootie
Wayne P. reply :
Along with several other pistol grip rods I have, this one is twice as good.
Custom S-Glass cranking rod:
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 1/6/2016 at 6:42 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I think one of the most interesting pistol grip rods ever made was made by Shimano, their Magnumlite Fightin' Rod series. Shimano made a rod and the handle one piece by basically cutting the handle out of the rod blank itself. To my knowledge I don't think anyone else ever made anything like this shimano pistol grip rod:
I just started using baitcasters 2 years ago after using my spinning rod all my life. So my dad started me off on the pistol grips with a simple, no-fuss reel to get the hang of it.
They were the 5' 6'' Shimano Magnumlite Fightin' Rod and the 5' 6'' Shimano Bull Whip Fightin' Rod.
Great little rods, especially to learn on, but I have since moved on from them. Really my biggest issue is that I use the butt of a rod very often to leverage during hooksets and fighting a fish and you really can't do that with these rods.
Bass newb reply :
I like them and the short rods for fishing in a small narrow creek that I'm drifting down. Lot's of laydowns and precision and size of a small rod work well in that circumstance, but not many others.
I hate that you can't get a good hookset with one.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Some nice rods showing up here! Many I've never seen before so keep 'em coming! I'm making a list and keeping an eye out for some of them when they come up for sale...
Below Tommy Martin wins in 1974 using a pistol grip rod on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas and can you believe it, Rick Clunn was there too- he is that old! I'd bet most pro's back then were using these rods...
Tommy Martin shows the Rebel Super-R that he used to take his first BASS Master win on Beaver Lake. Photo 1974 BASS Master Magazine July-August Issue.
Beaver Lake – A Different Martin
After two full 200-contestant events, the Arkansas Invitational would only draw 170 anglers. That may have had to do with the weather, though, as April brought snow, sleet, hail and 30 mph winds to the event.
Despite the adverse conditions, a new Martin debuted in his first-ever B.A.S.S. event and won by a three pound margin.
Tommy Martin, one of the Hemphill Gang as they’d eventually become known, won the third event of the season with 48-05. Martin had paid attention to Don Butler’s winning tactics the year before and developed a pattern on rocky points and shallow coves using a Rebel Super-R crankbait – the same bait Butler had won with in ’73. Not only did Martin use the Super-R, he painted a fluorescent red stripe on the bottom of it just like his predecessor. To add insult to injury, Martin lost his last crank on the second day of the event and had to borrow another one from – you guessed it – Don Butler.
Ricky Green (AR) placed second with a cumulative weight of 44-15, while Loyd McEntire (IN) placed third with 43-08. McEntire had the heaviest string of the event at 21-07 but that’s not all he tried to weigh. He also caught a 15-pound striper that Harold Sharp wouldn’t allow to be weighed in. From the sounds of it, there were a bunch of laughs to be had by that escapade.
Lanny Verner (TX) took fourth place with 42-06 and Bo Dowden finished in the fifth spot with 41-13.
Danny Dick (OK) won big fish for the event with an 8-04 largemouth, which netted him a Ranger TR-3 boat and accessories.
By the end of the Beaver Lake event, anglers had weighed in 1,460 bass of which only 33 weren’t released. This yielded the highest release rate ever recorded in a B.A.S.S. tournament at the time.
The top 35 anglers are shown in the table below.
| | ||
|---|---|---|
| | | |
| | Tommy Martin, TX | |
| | Ricky Green, AR | |
| | Loyd McEntire, IN | |
| | Lanny Verner, TX | |
| | Bo Dowden, LA | |
| | Stan Sloan, TN | |
| | Hugh Massey, KY | |
| | John Powell, AL | |
| | Russell Cook, MO | |
| | Danny McCain, LA | |
| | Roger Mhoon, AR | |
| | Bobby Meador, LA | |
| | Elmer Pickens, TN | |
| | Bobby Murray, AR | |
| | Jimmy James, LA | |
| | Butch Stroud, AR | |
| | Joe Kennedy, TX | |
| | Bill Dance, TN | |
| | Heb Adams, OK | |
| | Jim Fudoli, MO | |
| | Jerry Owens, OK | |
| | Herman Gettlefinger, TN | |
| | Dwight Keefer, MO | |
| | Bob Schultz, MO | |
| | J. B. Warren, AR | |
| | Rick Clunn, TX | |
| | Bob Tyndall, MO | |
| | Steve Mitchell, IN | |
| | Elroy Krueger, TX | |
| | Forrest Wood, AR | |
| | Jerry Williams, AR | |
| | Jerry McKinnis, AR | |
| | J. D. Skinner, AL | |
| | Roland Martin, OK | |
| | Paul Trefz, GA | |
Martin won the Bassmaster Classic in 1974, the stone age of bass fishing.
Ray Scott and Tommy Martin
Tommy Martin today...
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
On 1/7/2016 at 7:26 AM, Bass newb said:I like them and the short rods for fishing in a small narrow creek that I'm drifting down. Lot's of laydowns and precision and size of a small rod work well in that circumstance, but not many others.
I hate that you can't get a good hookset with one. Its all about the angler and the sharp hook .a quick wrist will set anyhook in any bass .i still dont beleive in the bionic hookset of some.bass are fun but only take less then a minnute to bring in .i wouldnt use a pistol grip for catfish or stripers though.
Fenwick made a rod similar called a hooksetter i have 2 of them not pistol grips though short handled 5'6"
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/7/2016 at 7:26 AM, Bass newb said:I hate that you can't get a good hookset with one.
This has not been my experience with them. I don't think I have ever had a problem with hook sets that I would blame on the rod. I have 6' pistol grips, 6' spinning rods, 6' modern style baitcast rods. They all work. If I don't get a hook set I can't honestly say it was just the rod's fault only. I gotta consider other factors too.
WIGuide reply :
I grew up fishing pistol grips. Loved the accuracy of them, but hated the lack of power you had while fighting a fish. Bass weren't usually that bad, but if you hooked into a big northern you felt like you were holding on for dear life! haha That being said, I retired my last one a few years ago.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I have been watching an auction on ebay for a G. Loomis pistol grip rod I was interested in, but bidding is going through the roof on this one. It is at $129.50 and climbing. (This price includes $15 shipping)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351637729715?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Since I began this thread, I have already picked up several new to me used pistol grip rods including a Lew's for a sweet deal of like $10.00.
To me, this old Lew's is an awesome rod! And it has a graphite rod blank through the handle to the butt of the rod too.
The rod blank can be seen just above the trigger going through the entire handle:
I got it so cheap from a pawn shop because it remained on their rack for 6 months and they just wanted it sold, but it did not sell because it had 2 broken guides on it, but the rod blank was in perfect condition. I am going to strip all the guides off this old rod and turn it into a spiral wrap with micro guides. Looking forward to using this one real soon. Which reminds me, I gotta go to mudhole today for some new guides...
I also picked up an old Berkley Series One pistol grip rod for $5.00 too. I am finding that demand is so low on the old pistol grip rods they are hard to sell and anyone who has one really has to drop the price to sell them. So this is to my advantage...
Now as to the comment above about pistol grips not having the power to handle fish??? I have to disagree with that. The rod does have the power, sometimes not the length some would like, but they were good enough for the pro's 30 years ago and were the standard.
What is kind of funny, if you look at this image taken of Tommy Martin today, look at the rod he is holding in his hands.
How is this really much different than an old pistol grip rod? Just because the rod bank extends past the handle a few inches changes the perception of the rod and now it has more power?
I think the pistol grip rods do have the power, just not the ideal grip situation. I compensated by using my left hand to support the tip under load of fish by holding the rod just past the reel. It is not much different with more modern rods too, especially for salt water fishing where putting one hand on the rod beyond the reel is common when fighting a big fish. And, in salt water rods, a lot of them are short rods too and for huge fish much bigger than bass!
I plan on using the old pistol grip rods a lot more this year!
0119 reply :
I use a pistol grip rod every fishing trip I take. I prefer small waters. Even when fishing big lakes like Istokpoga I work the shoreline under cypress trees. I'm always skipping under mangroves or Brazilian Pepper with them. People think they are useless today but everything is made for bass boat fishing. If you fish a Jon boat or canoe it has lots of uses.
MRG reply :
On 1/6/2016 at 6:42 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I think one of the most interesting pistol grip rods ever made was made by Shimano, their Magnumlite Fightin' Rod series. Shimano made a rod and the handle one piece by basically cutting the handle out of the rod blank itself. To my knowledge I don't think anyone else ever made anything like this shimano pistol grip rod:
It was a uniquely shaped all graphite rod blank with an unusually large diameter base that the handle was carved into.
The Shimano Fightin' Rods made a big impact on the fishing industry in the 1980s. Following the success and popularity of the Fightin' Rods, many rod manufacturers including Fenwick, ABU Garcia, Quantum, Cabela's and others soon came out with look alike fat blank rods. Most competing rods were poor imitations of the outstanding Shimano rods.
I still have two pistol grip and two spinning Fightin' Rods. I still use the spinning rods fairly regularly, and they still hold their own in some applications. The pistol grips see less action, though I do take them out every once and a while just for fun. I can tell you first hand they still catch fish.
papajoe222 reply :
I recently sold my last two; Both were BPS Bionic Blades. I loved fishing Spooks and most top-waters with them because of casting accuracy and the handle never got in the way. Most guys now will work a walking bait with the rod handle up out of the way, so handle length is moot. Whenever I hooked into a big girl, I'd end up putting my cranking hand on the rod above the seat when working the fish in because I couldn't take the strain on my wrist. I just tuck the handle under my forearm now.
Mumbly reply :
On 1/6/2016 at 6:42 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I think one of the most interesting pistol grip rods ever made was made by Shimano, their Magnumlite Fightin' Rod series. Shimano made a rod and the handle one piece by basically cutting the handle out of the rod blank itself. To my knowledge I don't think anyone else ever made anything like this shimano pistol grip rod:
I
I still have that rod. Actually I had two of them but gave one away to a friend back in the day. Might have to dig it out this season.
On 1/8/2016 at 2:17 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:Fenwick made a rod similar called a hooksetter i have 2 of them not pistol grips though short handled 5'6"
I had a Hooksetter in both casting (5'6") and spinning (5'9"). Not sure what happened to the casting rod but I still have spinning version.
0119 reply :
On 1/30/2016 at 12:07 PM, papajoe222 said:I recently sold my last two; Both were BPS Bionic Blades. I loved fishing Spooks and most top-waters with them because of casting accuracy and the handle never got in the way. Most guys now will work a walking bait with the rod handle up out of the way, so handle length is moot. Whenever I hooked into a big girl, I'd end up putting my cranking hand on the rod above the seat when working the fish in because I couldn't take the strain on my wrist. I just tuck the handle under my forearm now.
Yeah they do but it's only good when you are standing. Those of us in small boats are kinda ignored by the manufacturers who only make products like we are all tournament anglers standing on a big deck and fishing a tva reservoir.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Dont matter where u put the handle its gonna be in the way .any.poppin or walk the dog lures get the best action with pistol grip.been there done that ..all jokes aside this aint a matter of who has the longest rod its who can.make.the most.waves lol
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/30/2016 at 12:47 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I have been watching an auction on ebay for a G. Loomis pistol grip rod I was interested in, but bidding is going through the roof on this one. It is at $129.50 and climbing. (This price includes $15 shipping)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351637729715?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
This G-Loomis rod just sold for $126.51 + $15 in shipping for a total of $141.51! Not bad for a useless old pistol grip rod! Must just be a wall hanger but I doubt it!
I just found another rare shimano pistol grip rod on ebay made of boron.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPER-RARE-EX-Shimano-BB-1552-Japan-Bantam-Boron-5ft-6in-Casting-Rod-/381535312139?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276
SUPER RARE EX+++ Shimano BB-1552 Japan Bantam Boron 5ft 6in Casting Rod
Buy now price $250.00 plus $11.35 shipping.
Double foot guides all the way to the tip, which has an angle to it more extreme than what I am use to
I wish I could afford to add this one to my collection of pistol grip rods!
0119 reply :
That old Loomis has the old Weibe reel seat. For a time pre shimano, Loomis put them on all his average sized casting rods. Much sought after it is extremely comfortable especially in casting round reels. I spoke to Mr. Loomis at a show a year ago and he told me he still holds the patent for it and puts them on his new Edge rods.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
21 minutes ago, 0119 said:That old Loomis has the old Weibe reel seat. For a time pre shimano, Loomis put them on all his average sized casting rods. Much sought after it is extremely comfortable especially in casting round reels. I spoke to Mr. Loomis at a show a year ago and he told me he still holds the patent for it and puts them on his new Edge rods.
I am looking for a couple of good well made pistol grip handles- vintage type- not the new cheapo plastic crap made today.
I'd like to make some custom pistol grip rods this year. Right now I am finishing up retro-fitting 3 of my old vintage pistol grip rods with new guides done in spiral wrap.
Anyone here know where to buy these "weibe" reel seats?
And does anyone have experience with boron rods? What are they like? I've never used one. Are they whippy or, rigid and fast? Any opinions of boron rods? Anyone using them today? Do they still make them I wonder?
0119 reply :
You cant buy the Weibe seats anymore. He holds the patent and he doesnt let anyone have them other than on his rods. The Boron rods I handled many many years ago were light and stiff much like todays graphite in a fast or ex-fast action.
contium reply :
On 2/1/2016 at 7:39 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:And does anyone have experience with boron rods? What are they like? I've never used one. Are they whippy or, rigid and fast? Any opinions of boron rods? Anyone using them today? Do they still make them I wonder?
Boron rods were actually boron/graphite. Similar feel to graphite but I thought they were a little more sensitive. The blanks themselves tended to be a little smaller diameter than 100% graphite for a similar action. Boron rods were a lot more durable. A friend of mine TRIED to break a Fenwick boron rod and it was about impossible. As I recall, the price of boron increased to the point it wasn't feasible to make the rods anymore. The military industry started using it more.
bowhunter63 reply :
I had a Mitchell with a pistol grip that was stolen from my truck back in the day.i dont remember the model number but it was green in color.I would love to be able to find one now.Caught alot of fish on it.I have a few short handle rods that i still use,they will always have a place in my rod locker.
NY2TXBassin reply :
QuoteSo what I am reading here repeated a couple of times is that some fishermen believe that they can cast more accurately with pistol grip rods than they can with rod-blank-through-the-handle rods.
If this is true, then what is it that makes the difference?
Is it because the pistol grip rods are shorter and are held in the hand more like a wand? Or, is it because in rod-blank-through-the-handle rods that maybe the extra rod blank that extends beyond the grip point is getting in the way some how?
I am curious what some of you think gives some of us the thought that we can cast more accurately with a pistol grip rod than the more modern type with rod-blank-through-the-handle?
I used to use pistol grips when pitching. A 5'6" to 6' pistol grip is 10X easier to use with this technique than any two-handed rod. Two reason: 1) The shorter length of the rod allows you to whip the rod tip around with ease without worrying about slamming it into your boat or obstacles like trees or docks. 2) The shorter handle gives you far more flexibility to maneuver your wrist into any angle necessary to get your bait exactly where you want it. It was nothing to pitch a bait into a ball cap at 20+ yards. It was so accurate pitching became my primary method of fishing whether it was with soft plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits or frogs; anything that requires accuracy in casting - under docks, under overhanging trees or into a small hole or gap in vegetation, brush or stumps. Once I bought a two-handed flipping stick I attempted to pitch with it and quickly gave up. It just doesn't get the job done. So, if I'm flipping or need to make long casts in relatively open water I use a two-hander. Otherwise, I prefer a pistol grip hands down!
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