Pistol Grip Rods - Who uses one?

TnTom · 10-31-09, 11:38 AM

Has the old grip gone away or is it still alive and well?
Who has never used one?
Who has used one and did like it?
Who has used one and didn't like it?

Baron49 · 10-31-09, 12:12 PM

I used them many years ago and left them for the longer handle trigger sticks for all of my fishing. The last pistol grip to go was the 6' MH I used for fishing Zara spooks. It did work, but I like the extra leverage I get with a long handle 7' M rod with a fast tip for both casting long distances and controlling the fish after hooking it.

Raul · 10-31-09, 02:50 PM

I still have a couple of pistol grips, my go to rods when I need a pin point dead accurate cast, however, the short handle sucks for hooksetting and sucks while fighting a fish.

AUFred · 10-31-09, 03:54 PM

Used them for years I still have a few.

bcklash · 11-03-09, 02:37 AM

Pistol grip rod is how I taught myself to cast a baitcaster. I know it don't right but it worked for me.

WTL · 11-03-09, 02:56 AM

My father still uses them exclusively, and I learned on them. They are getting to be an abandoned style, although as a very specified niche rod I think they will continue to hold on and be marketed by a handful of companies. If I have to get a topwater plug around brush from medium distances in, there is nothing better in the world than a properly matched up pistol grip - you just flick the lure in there. Hook setting and fighting a fish isn't so bad if you don't compare it to the easier two hand rods. The key, what you almost can't do without, is matching reel to rod to line to lure. When the setup is all going, they are great. Probably why the old man still uses them, he has his old silver garcias and his topwater plugs and he knows he's gonna be throwing it 9 days out of 10, so its in a perpetual state of readiness.

66KingFisher · 11-03-09, 03:00 AM

Thats use to be all I had was pistol grip rods....but that was back in the day....Now, like most of the others, I like the extra leverage of the longer handles when setting the hook and fightin the fish....the pistol grip is rough on your wrist when fighting a strong fish....but for casting accuracy I think a pistol grip rod is hard to beat.

Culln5 · 11-03-09, 11:19 AM

I do not use them today. All of my rods have a rib busting long shank for big hooksets.... LOL.... Many moons ago when I was first learning to use a bait caster I found it easier to learn with the pistol grip. But now, I wouldn't even consider one.

3dkicker · 11-03-09, 01:36 PM

I use them to sling small spinnerbaits under docks and in real tight spots. A buddy of mine uses them for topwater, Rico's and small plastic frogs specifically, and does well with them. I've never had a problem with losing fish on them.

TnTom · 11-09-09, 07:13 PM

Makes the fish feel bigger which is always fun. Sort of adds to those voices in my head that told me to go fishing anyway.

Bassboss · 11-09-09, 10:01 PM

When I got my crankbait reel, it was on a pistol grip. I think it was a 5'6" rod too. I liked it! I could cast very accurately, and I liked the roll casts that I get with these, much easier to cast like that with pistol grips! However I don't like it when I fish a fish. I have a hard time getting enough leverage, I missed A nice fish 'cause of this too!

I say, just get a rod with a smaller grip, you'll basically get the same advantages with them, - some of the disadvantages!

Bubba_Bruiser · 11-29-09, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Buirm

Im ready to buy a gallery. I need something that offers a password protected private gallery and Id prefer to use my own lab. Who do you use and why do you like them?

Did you take that wrong turn at Albuquerque, D?
I used to use them and learned to throw with them. As far as being alive and well, I would say their time has faded. Other than the ole' timers, no offense, I haven't seen one on the deck of a boat in a long time. I don't use them anymore. I do have a couple of short handled Berkley Lightning rods I use from time to time though.

Backwater Charlie · 12-13-09, 10:22 PM

I have one for panfish but my dad has 2. They both have Zebco 33's on them, one original from the 50's and one Rhino from the 60's or 70's. He uses 'em for carp and catfish but he's fished for bass with them too. My pistol gripped rod is paired with a Zebco 11, so it just gets used for crappie and bluegill.

10-31-09, 11:38 AM	#1
TnTom BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Woodbury Tn Posts: 119	Pistol Grip Rods - Who uses one? Has the old grip gone away or is it still alive and well? Who has never used one? Who has used one and did like it? Who has used one and didn't like it? __________________ When fishin poles are outlawed only outlaws will have fishin poles and Shimano reels.

10-31-09, 12:12 PM	#2
Baron49 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: 1000 Islands, New York Posts: 62	I used them many years ago and left them for the longer handle trigger sticks for all of my fishing. The last pistol grip to go was the 6' MH I used for fishing Zara spooks. It did work, but I like the extra leverage I get with a long handle 7' M rod with a fast tip for both casting long distances and controlling the fish after hooking it. __________________ B.A.S.S. Member since 1976. Life Member since 1987

11-03-09, 02:37 AM	#5
bcklash BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elliston, Va. Posts: 4,372	Pistol grip rod is how I taught myself to cast a baitcaster. I know it don't right but it worked for me. __________________ The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. keep us free:

11-03-09, 11:19 AM	#8
Culln5 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 139	I do not use them today. All of my rods have a rib busting long shank for big hooksets.... LOL.... Many moons ago when I was first learning to use a bait caster I found it easier to learn with the pistol grip. But now, I wouldn't even consider one. __________________ George - GEO Industries

11-03-09, 01:36 PM	#9
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	I use them to sling small spinnerbaits under docks and in real tight spots. A buddy of mine uses them for topwater, Rico's and small plastic frogs specifically, and does well with them. I've never had a problem with losing fish on them. __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com

10-31-09, 02:50 PM	#3
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	I still have a couple of pistol grips, my go to rods when I need a pin point dead accurate cast, however, the short handle sucks for hooksetting and sucks while fighting a fish.

10-31-09, 03:54 PM	#4
AUFred BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Prattville, Alabama Posts: 801	Used them for years I still have a few.

11-03-09, 02:56 AM	#6
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	My father still uses them exclusively, and I learned on them. They are getting to be an abandoned style, although as a very specified niche rod I think they will continue to hold on and be marketed by a handful of companies. If I have to get a topwater plug around brush from medium distances in, there is nothing better in the world than a properly matched up pistol grip - you just flick the lure in there. Hook setting and fighting a fish isn't so bad if you don't compare it to the easier two hand rods. The key, what you almost can't do without, is matching reel to rod to line to lure. When the setup is all going, they are great. Probably why the old man still uses them, he has his old silver garcias and his topwater plugs and he knows he's gonna be throwing it 9 days out of 10, so its in a perpetual state of readiness.

11-03-09, 03:00 AM	#7
66KingFisher BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mena,Arkansas Posts: 1,327	Thats use to be all I had was pistol grip rods....but that was back in the day....Now, like most of the others, I like the extra leverage of the longer handles when setting the hook and fightin the fish....the pistol grip is rough on your wrist when fighting a strong fish....but for casting accuracy I think a pistol grip rod is hard to beat.

11-09-09, 07:13 PM	#10
TnTom BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Woodbury Tn Posts: 119	Makes the fish feel bigger which is always fun. Sort of adds to those voices in my head that told me to go fishing anyway. __________________ When fishin poles are outlawed only outlaws will have fishin poles and Shimano reels.

11-09-09, 10:01 PM	#11
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	When I got my crankbait reel, it was on a pistol grip. I think it was a 5'6" rod too. I liked it! I could cast very accurately, and I liked the roll casts that I get with these, much easier to cast like that with pistol grips! However I don't like it when I fish a fish. I have a hard time getting enough leverage, I missed A nice fish 'cause of this too! I say, just get a rod with a smaller grip, you'll basically get the same advantages with them, - some of the disadvantages! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

12-13-09, 10:22 PM	#13
Backwater Charlie BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Littcarr, KY Posts: 299	I have one for panfish but my dad has 2. They both have Zebco 33's on them, one original from the 50's and one Rhino from the 60's or 70's. He uses 'em for carp and catfish but he's fished for bass with them too. My pistol gripped rod is paired with a Zebco 11, so it just gets used for crappie and bluegill. __________________ It was THIS BIG <---------------------------->

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