rail rod ?

bhsquid · Apr-28-2008, 03:28 PM

Hey guys,

I am fixing to start working on a couple of rail rods pretty soon and was wondering what the standard lengths are for the fore grips and butts?

Any help would be appreciated, just getting back into the rod building been about 10 years scince I built one. Thanks

Comedie · Apr-28-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhsquid

Hey guys,

I am fixing to start working on a couple of rail rods pretty soon and was wondering what the standard lengths are for the fore grips and butts?

Any help would be appreciated, just getting back into the rod building been about 10 years scince I built one. Thanks

Butt length on a custom standup is largely a function of your belt. Some sit higher or lower than others.

Put gimbal/buttcap on the blank, seat with reel mounting on the blank (wedged with tape or a rag or whatever. Seat the bottom in your belt, and then see where the reel handle feels best through the range of motion. That gives you your butt grip length. Then reach up with your left hand as far as you can for where the front grip hold would be, and that's the max usable length of your foregrip.
At least that's what I have done.

Zombie · Apr-28-2008, 05:14 PM

Jason,
What Dave said and I'll add that the "average" length of the grips on my rods are 10" butt with a 12-14" fore. I say average because each rod I build for someone is truly custom and very specific to each person so those numbers are really just starting measurements.. Play around with some different lengths and see what's comfortable to you. You can also go into any tackle shop and pick up a few manufactured rods and test how they feel. Like Dave said make sure and have that butt cap or gimbal on so your not bottoming on the end of the blank. The most important thing (IMO) is getting the reel situated first then adjust the foregrip from there. Randy.

Billy 40 · Apr-28-2008, 05:51 PM

YOu use a belt with a rail rod?

G-Spot · Apr-28-2008, 06:07 PM

I built a rail rod with a 12" rear and a 14" fore..... You may even want 14" rear, so you can tuck it under your arm better....

The Bushman · Apr-28-2008, 08:34 PM

Jason, the ones I've seen had a min 12" butt section, and a 14" foregrip. Did you decide what you're going to use for the grips? Did you ever check out the grips from Merrick? (Since Scott's aren't available)

BakerStBobby2 · Apr-28-2008, 10:33 PM

Jason,
We build a lot of rail rods at my shop. Most are between 11-12" including the gimbal on the rear section and 16" on the foregrip.
Hope you can make it to the custom rod show this weekend!
Bobby!~

Lend-a-Fish · Apr-28-2008, 10:44 PM

Id send a PM to the office of the boat you are planning to fish, or normally fish and ask them if they have or can get a measurement of the distance from the deck to the top of the rail. Then id grab a tuna stick (or other) and put the rod under your pit and do some figuring.

If you plan on doing a sit down rail rod, figure out where you want to sit and how much sitting space you want, and how long the foregrip will need to be in order to comfortably sit on the rod and reach the rail with both arms comfortably, and foregrip on the rail.

This is the kind of thing that needs to be thought about and time spent before the build. Otherwise its just gonna be a tuna stick. Spend a little time and it will turn out dyno. Good Luck.

bhsquid · Apr-29-2008, 09:14 AM

hey thanks for all the replys, I can't really go to a shop and check any out I'm in stuck in minnesota no tuna sticks here.

Ken I ordered some rail grip from Merrick to check out it should be get in before I get home from Kazakhstan, I'll let you know what I think of them.

Looks like I'll have fun playing around with it when I get home and now Ithink I'll have a good starting point.

Jason