Shortening a rod by cutting off some of the butt below the reel seat

Anyone ever done it? Does it affect the rod dynamics or action in a bad way? I'm thinking of doing it to the B&M TCB, as I'm just not liking the long tail below the reel seat. I'm thinking about 2" shorter would eliminate the butt slapping against my arm on the cast. When I cast, I'm usually sitting down and casting one handed and it slaps my arm every time; it's getting annoying. I like the handling of the rod while playing and landing a fish, it's just the casting that is getting to me.

Alternatively, it could just remain a trolling rod out the back, I suppose. Today had a lot of casting as there was quite a bit of gunk floating on the surface and fouling my trolling lines while rowing around. I ended up casting quite a bit with 3 different poles with 3 different baits and the TCB began to get on my nerves. I know I'd have to get a knob of some sort on the end but I'm sure I can figure something out for that.

It may effect the balance since you would be removing mass behind the reel. It should not affect the action of the rod at all

I think you’d be ruining a nice rod.

Sell it and get a rod you like better.

You could always tape some quarters to back up grip to get the same balance you had before.. used to put few in a film canister and slid up on butt and tape onto get a perfectly balanced rod.

If the tape doesn't hold you could always try baling wire. Another thing you might try is buy another rod you like and use that one for something else.

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Originally Posted by stormcloud

If the tape doesn't hold you could always try baling wire. Another thing you might try is buy another rod you like and use that one for something else.

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That rod deserves heat shrink tubing. Make it look semi professional :biggrin

I would try the two hand cast, very accurate with practice. Good luck [emoji106]


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I do it all the time. No Problem. I have previously posted pictures on this forum, works great.

I have cut all my W.M. 8 ftrs. two inches behind the reel seat ... Can't stand a long grip for same reason as you. Plus i like a rear seat!

I have numerous W.M. SOLO poles and the tip action is great for single pole fishing where you have to deal with a lot of boat wakes. The tips are very forgiving of movement. That being said the W.M. SIGNATURE poles really pick a heavy crappie up out of the Trash. In 14ft I have cut the handles off of several leaving just enough butt to stick in a rod holder for a minute if needed. Winter fishing, these rods are the bomb, they pull big Pigs up before they can ruin the spot. Also I like BPS Crappie Maxx Mighty Lites, the Silver 12 footers have a machined aluminum butt cap and when I shortened them I just chucked up the cap, turned it down to fit the smaller diameter of the blank where it was cut, and glued it right back in. Even the B&M BGJP I have 14's & 16's cut down for winter fishing with 10# Slick 8 and micro jigs, you never notice the difference but appreciate not having the long rod butt to deal with. Grizzly Jig makes jig poles with different butt lengths. I bought some Ferrell joints from The Mud Hole to make my own interchangeable butt sections but commercial ferrells are not made to work on the "Butt" end of a rod.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I think you’d be ruining a nice rod.

Sell it and get a rod you like better.

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I think this one says it right. Just sell it if you hate it that much. It’s a nice rod and should sell quick.
Bob

Any specific reason WHY it would be ruining it?

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I think you’d be ruining a nice rod.

Sell it and get a rod you like better.

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You may want to look at that Mudhole build your own fishing rod site. I bet they would have all the stuff you would need to do it right. I have watched some of their videos, and seem to remember them having weights and rod butts for just such a project. It is simply a matter of getting it the length you like and then getting the balance back by adding weight to the butt end.

here it is CRB Weighted Butt Cap | mudhole.com

Thank you for the Mudhole link, lots of stuff there and certainly a good way to re-cap if I decide to shorten.

There is enough stuff at mudhole to build the rod of your dreams

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Originally Posted by 6poundtest

Any specific reason WHY it would be ruining it?

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Cutting a few inches off the butt of a 14’ jigging rod is one thing. Doing the same to a 6.5’ UL rod is something else. You better be sure about that first cut.

What you have right now is a good rod that many members would be happy to take off your hands. If you shorten the rod and still don’t like it, it’ll be much harder to sell.

It’s your rod. Do whatever you like. For me, selling would always be my first choice.

This[emoji115]


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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I think you’d be ruining a nice rod.

Sell it and get a rod you like better.

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go out and buy a short butt rod , dont cut it
like he said

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Cutting a few inches off the butt of a 14’ jigging rod is one thing. Doing the same to a 6.5’ UL rod is something else. You better be sure about that first cut.

What you have right now is a good rod that many members would be happy to take off your hands. If you shorten the rod and still don’t like it, it’ll be much harder to sell.

It’s your rod. Do whatever you like. For me, selling would always be my first choice.

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I agree. I thought it would be a good idea to cut off a couple inches of my shotgun barrel one time. Until I did it. #badidea


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It's your rod, you can do anything you want with it , just call it a "Modification" and you'll be alright...Lol

Goodness gracious I couldn't imagine taking a saw to a rod. If I didn't like the way it was engineered I wouldn't buy it. To each its own though. Send us a picture when you done with it.

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I've done it several times. Never hurt the rods, just a little difference in balance. You can also find new handles to glue on if you need too.

I've done it. Cut a spinning rod 2" below the bottom of the reel seat. I did this so that I would have more clearance around my gut and pfd when kayak fishing for bass. I've had no issues.

I own Rojo Grande Rods. I regularly cut down 6'6" Spinning rod handles to make a youth length Trout rod. If anything it speeds the rod rotation up. It certainly improves a younger person's experience fishing. A cheap all metal heavy spinning reel compared to a very high quality lightweight spinning reel has more influence on the rotating dynamic of a light weight rod than the light weight material used in the grip.

I have shortened several of my rods in the last few years shooting dock. If the tip comes in contact with any part of the dock or boat lift, instant shortening.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I have shortened several of my rods in the last few years shooting dock. If the tip comes in contact with any part of the dock or boat lift, instant shortening.

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Yes, produces a good stiff rod also. Great technique.


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I have a rule of never shoot with a rod I am not willing to break

I CUT 2 INCHES OFF THE OTHER END OF ONE JUST YESTERDAY !
one of the best crappie rods ever made for sure
they dont make that rod anymore either
Good thing it was pouring down rain to conceal my tears

It is the cost of pulling fish out from under docks

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

It is the cost of pulling fish out from under docks

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under a pipe water feed from a lake , missed the take and KABOOM ......made me sad for sure
want to hear how my luck goes in the end .....
my bud dropped me off a new just as good version same length and weight and balance made elsewhere on my way home from the lake.
it often pays to be generous and kind ,,,this is fact

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I have a rule of never shoot with a rod I am not willing to break

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This sounds like a very good rule.
Bob

wasn't "shooting" ,was just dipping and flipping a bit
the angle was a bit tight to the pipe and the rod tip was under it some
about 2 inches worth anyway :Rofl

I have noticed it looked like a lot of your photos were at marinas or dock. At least those photos stood out to me

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I have noticed it looked like a lot of your photos were at marinas or dock. At least those photos stood out to me

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yes sir i hit lots of docks and marinas , but this was in the boat and not on a dock
covered boat docks are yet another problem sometimes , but i mostly use a 5 footer on the covered ones unless the roof is real high on them