Is This a Sound Casting Grip Build?

[Lead Head]

I decided to try the NFC carbon fiber grips on a recent X-ray build. Only fished it one time and it seems ok. I've heard people say "softer" grips like Winn dampen feedback and hurt sensitivity. If true it still shouldn't affect me much with bottom contact retrieves. The only time I'm touching rod grips is when casting, during the retrieve my hand is is 100% on the reel/reelseat with a finger under the line.

Because of this I lean the way of Winn grips most often, they are by far my preference for feel/grip when casting. 

As far as the weight of grips, I try not to get too caught up in it as long as something doesn't jump out at me as unusually heavy. Most of my rod builds come out a bit tip heavy and a gram or two extra weight in the grip just helps balance things out. 

 

I'm still pretty new to rodbuilding so keep in mind this is all just the personal preferences and opinions of a newbie. 

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, Lead Head said:

I decided to try the NFC carbon fiber grips on a recent X-ray build. Only fished it one time and it seems ok. I've heard people say "softer" grips like Winn dampen feedback and hurt sensitivity. If true it still shouldn't affect me much with bottom contact retrieves. The only time I'm touching rod grips is when casting, during the retrieve my hand is is 100% on the reel/reelseat with a finger under the line.

Because of this I lean the way of Winn grips most often, they are by far my preference for feel/grip when casting. 

As far as the weight of grips, I try not to get too caught up in it as long as something doesn't jump out at me as unusually heavy. Most of my rod builds come out a bit tip heavy and a gram or two extra weight in the grip just helps balance things out. 

 

I'm still pretty new to rodbuilding so keep in mind this is all just the personal preferences and opinions of a newbie. 

Yeah, there's a couple of us new builders trying to wrap our heads around what is actually important. Unfortunately, I can build a rod but I can't go test it out until the ice thaws so I'm left here wondering about my choices, lol. Lots of data to look forward to in the spring though!

[kayaking_kev]

6 hours ago, Michigander said:

Yeah, there's a couple of us new builders trying to wrap our heads around what is actually important. Unfortunately, I can build a rod but I can't go test it out until the ice thaws so I'm left here wondering about my choices, lol. Lots of data to look forward to in the spring though!

I'm in the same boat as you as far as iced up water, but if that were not the case I doubt I would of ever begun building rods, I would always be out fishing. I like having the anticipation of looking forward to finally being able to test them all out.

 

I'm a new builder as well, but from reading what experienced rod builders have to say and what logic tells me, I tend to think grips are mostly for looks also, but looks are pretty important to me. I do think that sensitivity is somewhat important also for the small section on your hand that does come in contact with them.

 

I also believe the reel seat is a pretty important component as far as sensitivity goes, that why I love AT Carbon Reel Seats, particular the Razor, because it also leaves the top exposed, underneath the reel and they are some nice looking reel seats. But, I am interested in those skeleton reel seats such as the one being used by the OP, because the AT Carbon Seats require a insert, while the skeleton seat just sits on exposed blank. 

 

I'm by far an expert, but if I had to take a stab at ranking the most important components, it would go something like this.

 

1.) Build Quality - You can have the best of everything, but if it's built really bad, it doesn't mean much.

 

2.) Blank - From material, design, & weight to preferential actions, lengths, power, etc... 

 

3.) Guides - Spacing, sizing, material, can all have huge effects on rod breakage, sensitivity, weight, longevity, and damage done to line. The 1st rod I built was with Titanium Torzite Guides just because I own two production rods with them and love the way they cast and look compared to others, but I don't believe they are necessary at all. Like, DVT mentions, I believe Alconite guides are sufficient enough as long as you're using small guides the weight difference in minimal and almost a $100 cheaper. I have built one with Torzite and one with Alconite and the other 3 with SiC as I find them to be a happy medium for me, but all my tip tops are Torzite or SiC.

 

4.) Reel Seat - The component that you come in contact the most with and provides comfort and if you select the right one can add to sensitivity.

 

5.) Grips - As explained already, mostly for aesthetic purposes, at least for a Bass rod anyway, but does provide some sensitivity in the amount of vibration they transmit to the section your hand does come in contact with. 

 

Did I miss anything?

[Lead Head]

I guess I should note that my previous comments were in regards to casting rods. I don't actually touch the handle side grip at all while fishing bottom contact (obviously I do when casting). I do however touch the foregrip a little, and use a carbon fiber sleeve on a cut down kdps up there.

 

Spinning rods are pretty similar for me now that I think about it. Usually a Aero seat with a carbon fiber sleeved foregrip, and I don't think I touch the rear grip at all, even when casting. 

 

 

[kayaking_kev]

4 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I guess I should note that my previous comments were in regards to casting rods. I don't actually touch the handle side grip at all while fishing bottom contact (obviously I do when casting). I do however touch the foregrip a little, and use a carbon fiber sleeve on a cut down kdps up there.

 

Spinning rods are pretty similar for me now that I think about it. Usually a Aero seat with a carbon fiber sleeved foregrip, and I don't think I touch the rear grip at all, even when casting. 

 

 

 

I rarely ever fished spinning rods, so I'm not even sure if I make contact with the grips or not, so I'll have to check that out. I did build that X-Ray MB-733 as a spinning rod though and also used a Aero seat, but it's the only build I didn't use the G2 Carbon Fiber Sleeve Foregrips, because I like to put my finger directly on the blank and felt it was easier to do so without a foregrip.

[spoonplugger1]

Michigan,

I believe it was called the hot hands grip, developed by Vibronics Rods. His rods have been outside the box and winning money for over a decade.

[Michigander]

9 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Michigan,

I believe it was called the hot hands grip, developed by Vibronics Rods. His rods have been outside the box and winning money for over a decade.

Looks like I have to track down some back issues of rod builder magazine... LoL

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 2/2/2021 at 6:18 AM, Lead Head said:

I guess I should note that my previous comments were in regards to casting rods. I don't actually touch the handle side grip at all while fishing bottom contact (obviously I do when casting). I do however touch the foregrip a little, and use a carbon fiber sleeve on a cut down kdps up there.

 

Spinning rods are pretty similar for me now that I think about it. Usually a Aero seat with a carbon fiber sleeved foregrip, and I don't think I touch the rear grip at all, even when casting. 

 

 

Dry fit an Aero in up locking position to see if you like that. I use them both ways. 

[Lead Head]

@Delaware Valley Tackle

I've heard of that. I just tried it in hand and wasn't crazy about it. Maybe new time I'm on a spinning build ill mock it all the way up and check that out.

Too many people like it that way, I need to give it a better shake.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

54 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

@Delaware Valley Tackle

I've heard of that. I just tried it in hand and wasn't crazy about it. Maybe new time I'm on a spinning build ill mock it all the way up and check that out.

Too many people like it that way, I need to give it a better shake.

It depends on where you like the stem to fall. Works well for a more forward grip on a longer or short handle rod. I’ve done spinning rods with just a slim seat and a ramp at each end, no grip at all. 

[kayaking_kev]

I was wrong about the foam arbor inside the NFC grips going all the way through. 

I went to ream one out and found it was only about 3" or so and the rest of the inside was hollow like on the G2 grips, this was a pleasant surprise.

 

This was on the 9.75" Full Grip, so I can't really speak for the others for certain. I apologize for incorrect assumption, as it looked like it went all the way through upon first inspection. Lesson learned!

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, kayaking_kev said:

I was wrong about the foam arbor inside the NFC grips going all the way through. 

I went to ream one out and found it was only about 3" or so and the rest of the inside was hollow like on the G2 grips, this was a pleasant surprise.

 

This was on the 9.75" Full Grip, so I can't really speak for the others for certain. I apologize for incorrect assumption, as it looked like it went all the way through upon first inspection. Lesson learned!

Its probably the same arbor as in the 3.5 in rear grip. Though the butt section is hollow as far as foam goes. Both pieces have EVA molded trim pieces 

[kayaking_kev]

9 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Its probably the same arbor as in the 3.5 in rear grip. Though the butt section is hollow as far as foam goes. Both pieces have EVA molded trim pieces 

I just want to clarify, I called it a foam arbor, but I actually don't know for certain what material the arbor is made of. It's really soft and light and reamed out super easy.

[Michigander]

6 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

I just want to clarify, I called it a foam arbor, but I actually don't know for certain what material the arbor is made of. It's really soft and light and reamed out super easy.

Sounds like the foam they pair with carbon fiber to me. That's how I would describe mine too.