Tennessee handles

[Nine Miler]

What is up with Tennessee handles? :-?

Just curious, how do you attach the reel? Has anyone fished them? Advantages, disadvantages?

Thanks.

[MattinOK]

My Grandpa tried to convince me that Tennessee handles were the next big thing since sliced bread. They really don't do it for me. You tape you reel onto the rod (Teflon tape or plastic first aid tape works well). It's a major pain if you switch reels very often. The main advantage is no metal parts in cold weather.

[hmongkidBee]

I build custom rods and I have a 6' trout rod.  Anyways the handle on it is the tennessee handle, and I use aluminum rings to hold the reel on the handle.  Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CORK-SLIP-RING-SPINNING-HANDLES-FOR-ROD-BUILDING_W0QQitemZ220549295851QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3359c32eeb

This is the type of handle that I have on my pole.  It works good and allows me to switch reels.  I've never tried the tape on the reel seat yet.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm sure the old timers will remember most spinning rods came with aluminum tubes to hold the reels in place, they worked fine.

[flippin and pitchin]

Old timer's still use Tennesee handles. My first dropshot rod is a Lamiglas XST701. The handle is not cork but is a woven graphite tubing. You tape the reel on as mentioned. Check out Jann's Netcraft on the net for a look. It's kind of a personal preference thing. One advantage is you can place the reel anywhere you want for the balance point you like. Smallmouth guides in the big T made it popular in the late 70's and into the early 80's.

[jdw174]

All of my spinning rods have the TN handles.  Personally, I like being able to put the reel where I want it.  I fasten my reels with a layer of strapping tape, with plastic electricians tape on the outside.

[5bass]

The main advantage is no metal parts in cold weather.

The main advantage is that you can put different reels on the rod and have them all balance out correctly.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A Tennessee handle would save the weight of a reel seat and possibly some grip material weight if made from shrink tubing, tape etc. As far as moving reel placement, there is some flexibility but guide size and placement and reel spool size would dictate a range and placement outside that range may affect casting. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the TN handle come back into style.

[Nine Miler]

Hey guys, thanks a bunch.  I appreciate your insight. 

[Goose52]

I'm sure the old timers will remember most spinning rods came with aluminum tubes to hold the reels in place, they worked fine.

Not that I'm an oldtimer, but sure - I saw them alot in the 60s. Sometimes the rings would slip and you'd put tape around them if necessary. I only have one rod left with the rings...

[Crestliner2008]

The main advantage is no metal parts in cold weather.

The main advantage is that you can put different reels on the rod and have them all balance out correctly.

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