Johnny Morris Patriot spinning rod

[basslure]

A few days ago, I bought the Johnny Morris “Patriot” spinning fishing rod. The rod itself as a product, action, weight and quality of craftsmanship is absolutely perfect, but….I do believe that the person who designed this rod has no knowledge about fishing with a spinning rod at all.On the description of the rod the manufacturer is “singing the praises” of the rod handle which is built:

“…..Split-grip handles boast weather-resistant Winn® custom grips for ultimate comfort. Our extra-light 2-piece minimalist reel seat puts your fingers directly on the blank, for lightning-quick vibration transmission….”

But, please be real. What is this handle for, if it is behind your grip and your hand is holding bare plastic, and the rod itself where is so thin in this section? Your hand is gripping the mounting nest, the foot of the reel, and the tightening knot, which is built with plastic and has hard and angular edges.  This handle seems like more of a decorative feature rather than enhancing the use of this rod for practical reasons.  The reel, which is between the small and ring finger, does not even touch the rod handle, and with 600-700 casts per day, blistering on your fingers will occur. When you compare the other Johnny Morris rods, the Patriot rod is missing the practical “final touch”.  If you analyze the Patriot casting and Patriot spinning rod you can definitely see that is the same rod without any changes on the handle just the mounting reel nest and the rod guides. Nothing else.  But, to me as a fishermen with 40 years experience the spinning rods has totally different handle compare the casting rods. Here is a hook on you. The manufacturer “cut the corners” and change just 2 items worth a couple of dollars. Before you buy , just take the rod to your hand and check how you feel this rod in your hand with a reel. Terrible !!!!( see picture )

The rod is not comfortable to use for all day fishing, especially for this amount of money. I believe that another version of this rod should be totally redesigned, especially the handle section.  Additionally, the handle should be built with cork if it is a professional rod. The handle material on the “Patriot” rod might be exposed to the Sun on your boat deck for a couple of hours at a time rendering it impossible to pick up and use due to the temperature from the Sun.  The grip will be too hot to take it to the hand

[jimmyjoe]

   I agree.   jj

[dodgeguy]

Return it if you don't like it.

[flyfisher]

So you bought a rod and listed all these complaints about it that you could have figured out before you bought it if you wanted to.  Then make a post talking about it.  

Not everyone holds their spinning rods the way you do so there might be those people who don't get blisters from casting all day.  It also looks like that is a giant spinning reel on there as well which could factor into your soft hands being blistered from casting all day.  As far as a grip getting hot, yeah it can happen.  I have a couple rods with black handles and they can get hot but what is funny is usually I am near water when i am using it and i can get some of that on there and it cools it off.  Cork or synthetic, preference really.  Higher end doesn't mean it has to be cork.

With the number of complaints you have, you should absolutely take it back.

[Tywithay]

I don't like exposed threads on any rod.

[Steveo-1969]

You joined Bass Resource on Tuesday (3 days ago), made the above post and didn't get any replies. So now you re-posted the exact same thing again? Well here's my reply:

 

If you really have 40 years experience fishing with spinning rods you should have known by looking at a picture of the reel seat that it was going to be uncomfortable for you to fish with. I bought a spinning rod last year and any rods that had exposed threads above the reel were automatically rejected, including the BPS Patriot rod you are whining about.

 

I was surprised to see your location as Chicago because you sound like a Packer fan....... 

[Fin S]

The padding is behind YOUR grip. I hold a spinning rod with part between the reel and foot between my ring finger and middle finger. So, I like more padding below the reel seat and the threads above. Some manufacturers put more padding below the seat while others put more padding above the seat.

 

Check out a Daiwa Tatula spinning rod. It's in a similar price range and has more padding above the seat.

[Spankey]

Sent it back. I try to never buy a rod sight unseen/untouched. I’ve had Cabela get me 4 rods in take the ride to the store and leave with the one that felt the best with the reel I’m gonna use. Most time that’s not the one I thought I would be buying. 

[Jaderose]

I don't hold a spinning rod nearly that far up but I agree that it looks uncomfortable.  But then again, I would known that in the store and put it back

[Vilas15]

Legitimate complaints. Hope you returned it and found something else.

[NYWayfarer]

1 hour ago, Jaderose said:

I don't hold a spinning rod nearly that far up but I agree that it looks uncomfortable.  But then again, I would known that in the store and put it back

Neither do I. Usually 1 or two fingers in front of the reel stem. A small portion of my palm rests on the Winn Grip of rods like this. Most of the grip is untouched while I am holding the rod in a normal fishing grip.

 

I never put much thought into exposed threads. They are easy to clean.

[Tywithay]

3 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Neither do I. Usually 1 or two fingers in front of the reel stem. A small portion of my palm rests on the Winn Grip of rods like this. Most of the grip is untouched while I am holding the rod in a normal fishing grip.

 

I never put much thought into exposed threads. They are easy to clean.

I have no issue with cleaning threads. They just feel absolutely terrible on your hands and fingers.

[NYWayfarer]

3 hours ago, Tywithay said:

I have no issue with cleaning threads. They just feel absolutely terrible on your hands and fingers.

I see your point now. With one, maybe two fingers in front of the reel stem I have not had issues rubbing against the threads. I would prefer if they weren’t exposed. It would give the combo a cleaner look.

[aceman387]

Take it back and get an Avid.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, aceman387 said:

Take it back and get an Avid.

I will double down on that as well.  Get an Avid.

 

I just don't like the design of these rods and the exposed threads would drive me crazy if I was fishing that all day.  

[mcipinkie]

I'd not be an a.., and expect BPS to take a hit for my lack of effort.  If you had looked at the rod closely before you bought it you should have known you wouldn't like it.

 

I've bought lots of rods in almost 70 years of fishing.  Taken some back to the store if there was something wrong with it, but never just because I didn't like it.

 

"I didn't like it" is not a vendor problem.

[BrianMDTX]

1 minute ago, mcipinkie said:

I'd not be an a.., and expect BPS to take a hit for my lack of effort.  If you had looked at the rod closely before you bought it you should have known you wouldn't like it.

 

I've bought lots of rods in almost 70 years of fishing.  Taken some back to the store if there was something wrong with it, but never just because I didn't like it.

 

"I didn't like it" is not a vendor problem.

I’d say yes...and no. Sometimes you check something out in a store, seems ok, you buy it, and after a use or two determine it’s just not a good fit for you. I’ve bought hunting boots that were the proper size, but after some walking they just didn’t feel right. I took them back. 

[NOC 1]

14 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

I'd not be an a.., and expect BPS to take a hit for my lack of effort.  If you had looked at the rod closely before you bought it you should have known you wouldn't like it.

 

I've bought lots of rods in almost 70 years of fishing.  Taken some back to the store if there was something wrong with it, but never just because I didn't like it.

 

"I didn't like it" is not a vendor problem.

Sort of depends on whether the vendor is willing to make it their problem doesn't it? Some places are willing to take things back just to make the customer happy. That is usually Bass Pro's policy, and I see no need for a guy to keep gear he doesn't like just to satisfy some unstated ethical ideology, when the vendor invites the exchange.

 

Bass Pro is anything but a helpless victim in the world of fishing. If they don't want to exchange it they won't.

[jimmyjoe]

50 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

 

Bass Pro is anything but a helpless victim in the world of fishing.

 

   Truer words were never spoken! John L. Morris didn't get to be a multi-billionaire by being stupid.       jj

[Mobasser]

If you really like everything about this rod, action, casting performance, guides etc, take a piece of foam or rubber and cut it to fill in the exposed thread area. Then wrap it with Winn Grip rod handle wrap. Should make it a little more comfortable to fish with. Otherwise, I would return it....

[dodgeguy]

i dont fish spinning but when i did i had 1 finger in front of the stem. that would put my thumb on the exposed blank and the rest of my fingers on the wingrip. kinda like holding a baitcaster when casting.