Question about a new rod

[Grump]

It's been many years since I've been fishing.  After much time spent in the corporate grind, I'm now semi-retired and find time to take up this sport once again.

In searching for new fishing equipment, I find myself stymied when it comes to rods.  When I last had a fishing rod, it had a fairly short "pistol grip" handle.  As I look at new rods, it seems that all the rods I see have long handles, some as much as a food or more from the "trigger" to the butt end of the rod.

2 Questions:

1.  What is the advantage of the long handle on these new rods?

2.  Where can I find a good quality rod with the shorter handle that I'm used to?

This old dog probably don't need any new tricks.   :-[

[Senkoman12]

longer handle=more leverage

for a pistol grip rod you will be hard pressed to find one over 6ft

[Grey Wolf]

Old dogs can learn new tricks if they want to.The rods are so much nicer now and more comfortable to use.

[JohnMac]

How short of a handle are you looking for? If I were you I'd go on www.***.com and I would search around for the handle length your looking for. Some split grip rods may feel more natural in your hand and in that case I would look into e21 carrot stix. Good luck.

[new2BC4bass]

Old dogs can learn new tricks if they want to.The rods are so much nicer now and more comfortable to use.

I got back into fishing last year after a 23 year hiatus. Always used spinning gear. This time I went with baitcasting gear because I wanted to start targeting bass. Turned 63 last month. I'm really enjoying the new gear. I understand that not everyone enjoys learning new things. I do.

Heck, still learning new things at work, and I've been in my current position almost 26 years. ;D

Also I went from low priced gear to gear not so low priced...Diawa, Airrus, Falcon, the better Abu products.  Still looking to get Dobyns, Shimano, Phenix, Powell, etc.

[MMan16]

St croix premier 5'6" M has a pistol grip. Thats about one of the only ones I've seen.

[Grump]

Thanks for all the responses.  I found what I was looking for at BPS.  A Team All Star rod, with the "A" grip.  Pretty nice rod.

I also got a Duckett 70MHC bowing to the pressure of learning new things... 

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

the longer handle has more leverage. Split grip rods are usually more sensitive also since you could hold the actual rod blank where the split is.

[skunked_again]

Browning Medallion rods have a shorter handle and are a good rod for the money. id start there.