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I have been seeking a fishing rod. I have my arsenal almost perfect, with my front running go to rod right now being my TSS I picked up recently. The rod I seek now, I'm beginning to believe does not exist. I want a 5'6" to 6' ultralight, fast action spinning rod; with a Tennessee handle. I can't find one anywhere. I looked at Mudhole, but that is a very expensive way to get one rod. Does anyone have an idea of where I can find my unicorn?
Are you familiar with grizzlyjig.com not sure if they have what your looking for. The selection is good and so are the prices. Just ordered 8 12ft rod from em a couple weeks ago.
The only Tennessee handle UL I'm aware of is the Charlie Brewer slider rod, but it's only 4'9".Quote:
Originally Posted by gunwhatgun
If you really want it, you'll have to have it built to spec, IMO.
All Star used to make a rod that was very close to that. The only difference was that it was 5'4". They quit making them years ago, but you might be able to find one on Ebay.Quote:
Originally Posted by gunwhatgun
St. Croix made a TN Handle rods several years ago but I am not sure it was UL though, and I do remember the AllStar rods with the TN handle, really popular here in TN...not sure why??? The guys I remember that had them and used them regularly ended up putting electrical tape on the reel seat rings once the cork wore down.
What about the ESP rods made by Norseman... I think grizzly carries them...
:hesaid X2... ask CrappiePappyQuote:
Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan
There’s a real nice American Rodsmith 7’ light action rod with a Tennesee handle and a nice reel ... at the bottom of lake Nimrod, where it fell out of my kayak.
That’s the one I was thinking of if you were interested in a Tennessee handle. If you do a search here you will find some good info. Different models and a price range you may like.Quote:
Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan
Bob
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan
When I think "Tennessee handle", I always think "cork", so I never think of the ESP rods. They would be his best bet, though.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will take a look at the ESP rod.
Warhawk, I'm sorry to hear that about your rod and reel, but I actually chuckled out loud when I read that. Nothing stings more than losing a good rig.
what is a Tenn. handle may I ask ?
No reel seat. Either sliding rings, black tape or a combination of both. Billy Westmoreland helped make them popular.
Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk
Here is an example
Tennessee Handle Rods | APR - All Pro Rods
When you find your rod, if you have any problems with the rings coming loose ... try some of this stuff
1x Waterproof Black Rubber Silicone Repair Bonding Tape Rescue Self Fusing Wire 6946516807433 | eBay
we called it F4 tape in the Air Force. It sticks to itself, and not much else. It can be used as wire insulation, to fix leaky hoses, and it makes a pretty darn good rod wrap for Tennessee handles. It’s got rubbery feel, and kind of cushiony. And best of all it doesn’t leave any sticky residue.
this stuff was probably made in China and not as good as the real thing we used in the AF. I think you can still get the mil spec stuff too, the stuff I used was a brownish red color.
Man, I live and die by that tape. When I was a kid it was my job to wrap the handles on my brother's electricians tools when one got damaged.
For those not familiar with these rods I can say that their quality is very good. I had a couple in TN and the one that stands out was a BC rod that had a fantastic action for multiple uses. My next door neighbor lost his due to someone else’s abuse in the boat, and I had been bitten by this crappie fishing bug, and I let him have it. For twice what I paid for it. He hesitated not a second and counted out the duckies and smiled big. Such is their following. If you could find one they offered that fit your criteria, I believe you would be pleased with it. Good luck in your search.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
My fear with "rolling my own" is that my time is thin as it is and I'll never finish it. I have found the BnM Sharpshooter, a Bass Pro branded offering that is only 5' long, and one calledDock Shooter from H and H rods. I have no experience with BnM, and I'm affraid it will be "whippy" and not as stiff as I like. the BP rod was ok except for being so short. The H and H is a medium/light rod and I'm afraid the sensitivity won't be there.
I did look at the ESP rods. They look awesome, but I don't know I would like that carbon fibre handle vs tradition cork.
If you want cork, you don't have a lot of options. Here are two:Quote:
Originally Posted by gunwhatgun
1) 4'9" slider rod
2) custom rod
They are really good rods... if I hadn’t gone down the JDM path I would still be using them today...
I’ve always liked traditional cork as well, but you might find that the carbon fiber gives you a much more sensitive feel.Quote:
Originally Posted by gunwhatgun
Bob
B&M dockshooter... Tennessee handle comes in a 5'6"
Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I have seen those. No one around me had them in the racks. I like a fairly stiff rod and am afraid they would be a bit "whippy" or limber. I almost thought about contacting Leland and seeing if I could get a TSS with a Tennessee handle. I swear, that rod had just about ruined me for anything else. We went out a couple of days ago. I caught several 'gills. None of them were anything to speak of for size, but I never missed a bite with that rod, even on those tiny fish.Quote:
Originally Posted by catchNgrease
These guys have them.
Check here:
Fishin Edge Fishing Rods
That is the only way that rod comes. They don’t customize them.Quote:
Originally Posted by gunwhatgun
Regards
Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Thank you sir for that post. They did not come up in any google search I did.Quote:
Originally Posted by silverside
Not that difficult to build a rod to your liking yourself
Back in the early 80's G. Loomis made a 6' Premier ultralight with tennessee handle with rings. It is a fast action, one piece rod rated for 1-4 lb. First Loomis I ever bought, think it was around $100 back then. I actually made weekly payments until I paid it off. It's a fantastic rod and I still use it, although not as much as I used to. I have seen them on ebay a couple times but not recently. A couple of months ago I saw a used IM6 version at a sporting goods store for $140 but wife was with me so I didn't pull the trigger on it. I went back for it a few weeks ago but it was gone. I would never part with mine, rods like these are uncommon but they are out there. Just keep looking or have one custom built. That way you can choose the blank, guides, etc. and you know exactly what you are getting. Rods like these are worth the hunt for them. Keep hunting and you will find what you are looking for.
Monday morning I'm going to contact the place linked above. If the blanks are right, then they have what I want. I have looked long and hard at the Mudhole rods. I could be talked into pulling the trigger in that direction, but I would not want this rod to be my inaugural run at it. Not that you can have too many rods, but I don't want to build three or four to get the one I want:Rofl.
I'm guessing from the silence that the Monday phone call didn't go well :popcorn
Lol. you are correct. I spoke to him, and he was more than will to talk and answer all my questions. he informed me they made all their own blanks and that their ultra light was very limber. This is not at all what I'm wanting. He suggested I go with a light action to get rigidity I am looking for. If I go that route, I can get the H and H rod, a very nice rod by the way, for about $40 less and without the wait. A local boat dealership here stocks them. We are going to BP in the morning, I have a couple of old rods and reels I'm going to exchange for coupons in the trade in deal. I will probably handle a couple of rods there and see if I find something I like.
Sorry that it didn't work out. Good luck with your unicorn :fish
It may still work out on another rod, just not this particular rig I have in mind. I still have not found it, but I did go to Bass Pro two nights ago. It was odd being there, midday on a Saturday, during the spring fishing classic sale and not only could we get a good parking spot, but we were one of 6 (yes 6) customers in the store. It was kind of sad, and really awesome at the same time. My son and I pretty much had the reel counter at our disposal. the people working were super nice, very excited to have someone to help, it seemed. They let me put and endless number of reels on rods to see what suited me. It was really awesome. I found out a Shimano Sahara 500 on a 6' St. Croix UL Panfish rod is an awesome match, IMHO, and they since they had been so kind and let me try so many, it seemed a shame to take that rig back apart, so I brought it home with me. It will scratch the itch for now. Even without the TN handle, that rod is just outstanding.