If I can't buy it I will make it updated. Now complete

[_JJM]

I fish a vintage reel type that's no longer popular, so I can't buy rods for them. So I am going to take a brand new rod cut the handle off and replace it.

The picture shows the reel I need a rod for and the $14 rod that was on sale on Amazon (They still are btw). The lower picture is the replacement handle that will let the reel set further back on the road.

I don't have a lot of skill but I should be able to pull this off. Wish me luck

Update 5

It's not perfect but it is my first try at Rod modification, so I am pretty happy with it. I will be fishing with it tomorrow. So we will see...

 

Update 4

I shined the brass tube with Never dull. Then used car wax on the tube to make it shine. The tube is at the center under the seat. I epoxied everything together an it's currently curing.

 

 

 

Update 3

 

I bored out the grip and epoxied the first part of the grip to the rod.

 

See photo.

Update the vendor sent me the wrong and cheaper grip kit, but I didn't like not having a fighting butt. So I ordered another fighting butt and modified it to fit.

 

Next is boring out a 14mm hole in the grip. It came with a 9mm hole. So back to Amazon and a set of long drill bits.

 

After the drilling is a final fit check and a brass insert to make it look pretty.

 

More updates to come

 

[NavyToad]

Take the reel to Bass Pro or a local tackle shop and ask them for a rod to fit that reel.

The feet on your reel look the same as most reels I’ve seen and I think there might be plenty of modern rods that will fit your reel.

Or….proceed as planned. Either way, good luck.

[_JJM]

It's not the size it's the location.

[Deleted account]

12 minutes ago, _JJM said:

It's not the size it's the location.

hack saw?

[padlin]

Someone who builds rods should be able to tell you how to remove the grip and seat on the rod you have.

[_JJM]

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

hack saw?

Dremel with a cutting wheel

22 minutes ago, padlin said:

Someone who builds rods should be able to tell you how to remove the grip and seat on the rod you have.

I found a YouTube that explained it

[casts_by_fly]

The bottom picture is a fly rod reel seat. The top seat with the reel in it is a Tennessee rings grip. I don’t know that reel, but it looks like one you’re fishing as an under spin or like a trigger spin where the reel is like a push button internally but the reel hangs under the rod and there must be a lever or button we can’t see on the other side of the reel (maybe pinkie activated?).  A fly reel seat is a good choice. That’s a full wells style grip which might not work well for you. A full wells puts the hand forward so your thumb is up on the flared front.  Unless you have really long pinkie fingers or a long trigger on the reel, you constantly be repositioning your hand. Buying a stock Tennessee grip, installing it on a hollow blank or pipe, and gluing in a blank of your choice might be a better choice. 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, _JJM said:

Dremel with a cutting wheel

LOL. We actually have a 7 1/4" miter saw with a fine carbide blade in the shop to cut carbon seat posts and steerer tubes, but you can get a really square cut with two radiator hose clamps and the right blade by hand. 

[_JJM]

11 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

The bottom picture is a fly rod reel seat. The top seat with the reel in it is a Tennessee rings grip. I don’t know that reel, but it looks like one you’re fishing as an under spin or like a trigger spin where the reel is like a push button internally but the reel hangs under the rod and there must be a lever or button we can’t see on the other side of the reel (maybe pinkie activated?).  A fly reel seat is a good choice. That’s a full wells style grip which might not work well for you. A full wells puts the hand forward so your thumb is up on the flared front.  Unless you have really long pinkie fingers or a long trigger on the reel, you constantly be repositioning your hand. Buying a stock Tennessee grip, installing it on a hollow blank or pipe, and gluing in a blank of your choice might be a better choice. 

I first started fishing with this type reel when I was a child. It's great in a couple of ways. You don't have to worry about wind causing a tangle and you can drag the line across your finger so you feel everything the bait does be it the bottom weeds or a strike 

[spoonplugger1]

If you want to go full old school, Schneder's has some of the old offset reel seats/grips kits in his Hot Specials section that were used back in the day of round reels and your spincast reel.

[_JJM]

3 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

If you want to go full old school, Schneder's has some of the old offset reel seats/grips kits in his Hot Specials section that were used back in the day of round reels and your spincast reel.

Honestly it has been kind of fun solving this. I could simply buy the Kastking fly/spin combo rod for $55 on Amazon and been done, but where's the fun in that. That and I wanted a heavier faster action

[Chris Catignani]

For what its worth...

Take a look at Brian Latimer's signature series "Sick Stick" made by Favorite.

He fishes with an extended fore grip and it may work.

 

The thing is ...its for a spinning reel and the guide set up may not be "perfect" for your under spincast reel.

 

 

On another note....

You can remove the grip and seat from the back end. Take some pliers and just chew off the cork. You may even be able to twist off the reel seat if it wasnt glued on well. Clean that area of the blank. Then I would build up the handle with ( drywall tape of masking tape) to make it taper towards the back end and assemble the handle from the rear.

[_JJM]

Already planned. I just ordered a a long set of drill bits and a 15mm brass tube for the skeleton opening. I think the brass will look good with the rest of the rod. Picture below is the work in progress

[Alex from GA]

Looks like you found the answer.  What's the gear ratio on your reel?

[_JJM]

3 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

Looks like you found the answer.  What's the gear ratio on your reel?

4:4:1

[_JJM]

Rod is complete and it worked well yesterday fishing ?. I do think the reel is a bit big for the seat, but I have a second rod planned. This one will have a traditional spinning seat rather than a fly seat. I have a smaller version of this type reel that will make better fit for the fIly seat I think.