The Tennessee Handle

[Mobasser]

" you actually use electrical tape to attach your reel"? Yes. This is the reaction I got from a friend of my grandsons recently when I showed him my TN handle spinning rods.                                               Years ago, I knew a couple of guys who bought straight cork grip spinning rods, and sanded the butt section of the handle off, to let slip rings fall off. Then taped the spinning reel on with electrical tape.                                I have two of these rods now. An older Lews Speed Stick, and a  rod made in Arkansas by Ark Tackle.                            The advantages of this are, you can balance the reel at any place on the handle, and the electrical tape provides a smooth, comfortable grip.                         Use a good grade of electrical tape. I like Scotch or 3m brand. These brands hold when you wrap them tightly, and never get gummy or sticky in hot weather.                                                      I'm not sure if this handle style was invented in TN, but that's the state it is named for.                If there's any disadvantage, it would be changing reels, or cleaning them, but, this is not a big problem. One roll of good tape can be used many times, and it doesn't take much.                         As far as I know, I'm the only guy in my area, that uses this handle style anymore. They're few and far between.                    A favourite handle style of spinfisherman Billy Westmoreland, Charlie Brewer, and Bill Dance years ago. They've become my favourite spinning rod handle now. Do any members here on BR still like or use the Tennessee handle? 

[PourMyOwn]

5 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

" you actually use electrical tape to attach your reel"? Yes. This is the reaction I got from a friend of my grandsons recently when I showed him my TN handle spinning rods.                                               Years ago, I knew a couple of guys who bought straight cork grip spinning rods, and sanded the butt section of the handle off, to let slip rings fall off. Then taped the spinning reel on with electrical tape.                                I have two of these rods now. An older Lews Speed Stick, and a  rod made in Arkansas by Ark Tackle.                            The advantages of this are, you can balance the reel at any place on the handle, and the electrical tape provides a smooth, comfortable grip.                         Use a good grade of electrical tape. I like Scotch or 3m brand. These brands hold when you wrap them tightly, and never get gummy or sticky in hot weather.                                                      I'm not sure if this handle style was invented in TN, but that's the state it is named for.                If there's any disadvantage, it would be changing reels, or cleaning them, but, this is not a big problem. One roll of good tape can be used many times, and it doesn't take much.                         As far as I know, I'm the only guy in my area, that uses this handle style anymore. They're few and far between.                    A favourite handle style of spinfisherman Billy Westmoreland, Charlie Brewer, and Bill Dance years ago. They've become my favourite spinning rod handle now. Do any members here on BR still like or use the Tennessee handle? 

I have a couple, I really like being able to place the reel in the best spot to balance the rod. 

[Ole man Fazul]

?

I too have one! It's my 7'8" trout rod. A few years ago I switched from electrical tape to self-fusing silicone wrap. I find it to be more comfortable especially when wet. With the electrical tape I was also getting the annoying adhesive slippage in really hot weather. Then it would get all over my hands and simply suck. No more for me. Maybe my tape was really old or was really cheap. 

[MickD]

Other options to attach the reel are tennis racquette tape and bicycle handlbar tape.  Both have good grip and look good.

 

[J Francho]

My centerpin rods have the rings, but I use vinyl electrical tape to keep them in place. 

[LCG]

I have always wanted to try a rod with those type handles but never seem to be able to find them at tackle stores.

[Smalliefan2]

I have a couple, one is a Loomis custom made , another is a USA made All-Star. Both old, and still in use. These are the best for finding the correct balance point for the reel. Retaping can be a PIA, worth the effort.  I have always heard this as a Tennessee wrap. The fishermen you sited are all from Tn.,as I am also.

[Tennessee Boy]

It’s what I use.  I think it’s illegal to use any other type of spinning rod handle around here. ?  This type of handle has been around for a long time.   I think it existed before modern spinning reel seats were invented.  I know St Croix’s first ultralight rod had this type of handle when it was introduced in 1957.  Folks started calling it the Tennessee handle in the 1960s as it became associated with the Tennessee finesse fishing style made famous by Billy Westmorland and Charlie Brewer.

[bulldog1935]

Phillipson patent seat will secure the reel anywhere along the cork handle.  

Phillipson Reel Seat / Burl Tennesee Handle - RodBuilding.org

 

This is a Phillipson ES-76R rod and the Hardy Exalta reel has a square boss on the reel foot that reverses.  

[A-Jay]

I tape mounted reels for years in the surf ~

A-Jay

[bulldog1935]

@A-Jay

Breakaway saddle clamps on surf rod

 

 

[Chris Catignani]

I have to say I use a bunch of TN handles...most are rods with 6 and 8 lb test.

Actually got a drop shot rod I'm making that will have a TN handle.

So...I been doin this a pretty good while and have a couple of improvements on the cork version.

I like to use a graphite tube for where the reel goes...this does a couple things:

 1: It is just a tad more sensitive.

 2: Sometime with cork...the reel will actually deform the cork a bit...after a few "re tapes" some of the cork will pull out.

 

Another thing I like to do is when I start the process of taping the reel seat on:

I will cut two strips of fiberglass strapping tape (say three inches each). (this is the kind of tape used on boxes for shipping).

One for each of the reel feet. Once thats on...then the electric tape.

What the strapping tape does is secure the reel a little more. The electric tape (on occasion) can get a little loose on a very hot day so the strapping tape helps.

 

As for how to electric tape...start in the middle...go to the end of the foot...then come back to the middle and go the the other foot...go to the end and come back to the middle. This is basically two layers.

 

There is a rod in the back ground that a TN handle that also has the graphite tube.

[Mobasser]

12 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

I have to say I use a bunch of TN handles...most are rods with 6 and 8 lb test.

Actually got a drop shot rod I'm making that will have a TN handle.

So...I been doin this a pretty good while and have a couple of improvements on the cork version.

I like to use a graphite tube for where the reel goes...this does a couple things:

 1: It is just a tad more sensitive.

 2: Sometime with cork...the reel will actually deform the cork a bit...after a few "re tapes" some of the cork will pull out.

 

Another thing I like to do is when I start the process of taping the reel seat on:

I will cut two strips of fiberglass strapping tape (say three inches each). (this is the kind of tape used on boxes for shipping).

One for each of the reel feet. Once thats on...then the electric tape.

What the strapping tape does is secure the reel a little more. The electric tape (on occasion) can get a little loose on a very hot day so the strapping tape helps.

 

As for how to electric tape...start in the middle...go to the end of the foot...then come back to the middle and go the the other foot...go to the end and come back to the middle. This is basically two layers.

 

There is a rod in the back ground that a TN handle that also has the graphite tube.

Both the rods I have are a straight graphite tube also. When I've used a cork TN handle, I would first put one layer of tape over the cork. Then wrap over this layer with tape. When I changed reels, the first layer would stay on the rod. This seemed to help with pulling cork off the handle with the tape. The graphite is easier to work with , cleans up better etc. But, I love a good cork grip also.

[QED]

On 8/28/2021 at 12:55 PM, MickD said:

Other options to attach the reel are tennis racquette tape and bicycle handlbar tape.  Both have good grip and look good.

 

 

You can get good cork compound bike bar tape in a bunch of interesting colors.

 

Personally, I just use the slip rings.  They loosen at first because the cork under the reel foot compresses. But if you continue to tighten the slip rings each time they start loosening, eventually you'll reach an equilibrium where they stay put. All my fenwick UL spinning rods have tennessee handles.  Note the JDM Soare 500 reel.

 

[bulldog1935]

?  Cortland CS2000 with nice thick and smooth alloy rings and I'll raise you a CAP 4th model with half-bail. 

 

 

It gets worse - this 4-1/2' Airex with 1937 Luxor was always my older daughter's go-to for creek fishing.  She got very good at fishing without anti-reverse - all on her own.  She could hold the rod and reel handle in one hand, and handle the fish with the other.  

[DitchPanda]

I really would like to find a nice 7ft med light with a Tennessee handle. I'm not aware of any rod companies really making them.

[MickD]

7 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

I really would like to find a nice 7ft med light with a Tennessee handle. I'm not aware of any rod companies really making them.

I think you will have to have it custom made.  I haven't seen a Tennessee handle complete rod in years.

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

I really would like to find a nice 7ft med light with a Tennessee handle. I'm not aware of any rod companies really making them.

I could probably find you one this morning if I do a crawl space inspection haha. Every household seems to have 5-6 of them in the corner of a forgotten room, I think I’ve got one in my shed but it’s super thick, looks like it’s for catfish or something 

[Log Catcher]

I had never seen or heard of a setup like these. If I saw somebody using one I would be wondering why they didn't buy a good rod with a reel seat. I would also be wondering why they made a rod without a reel seat.

[ironbjorn]

3 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

I had never seen or heard of a setup like these. If I saw somebody using one I would be wondering why they didn't buy a good rod with a reel seat. I would also be wondering why they made a rod without a reel seat.

Same.

 

I have no desire to have to tape my reels to my rods. But then again I don't even notice the balance issue some people talk about.

[bulldog1935]

Sliding rings on cork or wood was the standard from the inception of spinning reels and of course before that on fly reels.  

Also cap and band - the rod is a prewar Heddon sold by Folsom Arms.  

This is a Lami 605, but the reel seat was copied after Lee Wulff Conolon rods.  

And the same idea, it lets you balance the rod by sliding the reel position.  

 

c. 1960 H-I Star and Luxor A spinning reel.  

 

This is an Arjon cane rod, which were exported from Sweden by Abu, and would have matched an old Thommen Record, which became the Abu Cardinal.  

[TnRiver46]

11 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Sliding rings on cork or wood was the standard from the inception of spinning reels and of course before that on fly reels.  

Also cap and band - the rod is a prewar Heddon sold by Folsom Arms.  

This is a Lami 605, but the reel seat was copied after Lee Wulff Conolon rods.  

And the same idea, it lets you balance the rod by sliding the reel position.  

 

c. 1960 H-I Star and Luxor A spinning reel.  

 

This is an Arjon cane rod, which were exported from Sweden by Abu, and would have matched an old Thommen Record, which became the Abu Cardinal.  

Beauties!!!

 

 

 

16 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

I had never seen or heard of a setup like these. If I saw somebody using one I would be wondering why they didn't buy a good rod with a reel seat. I would also be wondering why they made a rod without a reel seat.

 

12 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Same.

 

I have no desire to have to tape my reels to my rods. But then again I don't even notice the balance issue some people talk about.

I’m going out on a limb and guessing the two of you don’t have any classic or antique cars in your garage 

[ironbjorn]

28 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Beauties!!!

 

 

 

 

I’m going out on a limb and guessing the two of you don’t have any classic or antique cars in your garage 

Nope. I have 4 kids and a ton of animals. Money and space can be tight and vehicles must be practical.

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, ironbjorn said:

Nope. I have 4 kids and a ton of animals. Money and space can be tight and vehicles must be practical.

“Seen it right off” -bear hunter in Jeremiah Johnson 

[bulldog1935]

..., Pilgrim.