When getting my first custom spinning rod, I was asked, "What is currently your favorite rod, what do you like, and what would you change?" In my case, my favorite had been a BPS Extreme. In particular, I liked the electric sensitivity, and the way the handle made full contact with my hand, further enhancing sensitivity.

He made me a nice rod from a great blank, but the "similar" grip was not great. I found myself going back to my Extremes after a while. When he found out, he insisted on taking the rod back, and we are still friends, which is a happy ending to the story.

But I STILL want to have a custom rod with that handle type.

Here is a image URL of the exact handle/reel seat I am talking about. Copy and paste it to the location bar of your browser and hit enter to see the image: [image.basspro-shops.com]

If you notice, the foot of the reel is encompassed by the grip completely. It is like holding a Tennessee grip without the reel! The guy who invented this was a genius.

I've been told the only way to imitate this is with a Tennessee grip, or with cork tape, both of which I'm not thrilled with. So here I am.

Do any sponsors sell this style of grip? Thanks in advance.

TH

Hi Tony,
If none of the board sponsers carry them, Cabelas has some that look a lot like the BPS handles... check the following: [www.cabelas.com]

I hope this helps.

Tom

tony go to any supplier who sell's fuji reel seat's or call 251-943-4491 and get the new anglers resource cat. and x-mass will cum early to you thay are fuji grips and all the good folks to my left who sell fuji reel seats should be more than happy to supply you .... thight wraps and a happy new year ..John T Burford

Thank you very much, BOTH of you!

TH

PS- Why is the screen so wide in this post? I've never seen that before.

Tony,

Try going to the Clemens catalog page 56 on the bottom left. They are refered as the Mega reel seat system. Can be had with cork or Custom Grip II. Body goes for $3.14, quick lock nut for $2.47, cork butt $13.07 and Custom Grip II butt $5.47. Hope this helps.

Tony, St Criox offers that style. Good Luck ,Dave

Thanks again, guys.

I ordered one from Cabelas as a test, mainly since it seems theirs is the one I want and is complete, with the cork work done already. I only have to add some length to the rear grip, and I should have what I want.

If I like them, I will look to see if I can find the Fuji equiv, and buy from a sponsor, if any have the exact one.

The ones St Croix offers look similar in the pic, but I have used them and am not happy at all with them. They are more "mushroom" shaped, rather than even. The screw down foregrip is of a bigger diameter than the rest of it. Not very comfortable in my hand.

Thanks for the help!

-TH

UPDATE:

The Cabelas seat is EXACTLY the same as the BPS seat, minus the painted finish. THANK YOU again, Ed!

Since I was making this seat for a heavier saltwater rod, I had to ream out the seat a little for a great fit, I swapped the 2.5" foregrip for a 3.5", and I added 4" of cork to the end of the rod. Not nearly as much work as it sounds, and it REALLY REALLY fits my hand well!

I now have two problems:

1. I still have not found a board sponsor that sells these seats
2. Now I want this grip on all of my OTHER rods!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

TH