Pike Rod

[unfrozen]

Built a northern pike casting rod for a family friend. It's a Batson IMB785 and has guides sized 12, 8, 6,6,6,6,6,6 placed using static testing. The grips are chokechery wood from the farm where the friend grew up. They are finished with CA.

[mrklean]

sweet lookin rod

[Scupper]

Beautiful work Chad.

Love the "Earnhardt" color scheme.

The connection of the chokecherry is truly personal and touching.

Scott

[Nick Kuhn]

I like the way the wood grips look but don't they get a bit slick when fishing? I don't think I'd ever want a rod like that: I'd probably hang it on the wall instead of using it. Great work.

[unfrozen]

That's a common misconception about wooden handles. This may run counter to what most folks want to believe but a properly finished wooden grip is less slippery than cork. Cork is porous so it can trap contaminents like dirt or fish slime. Add a little water and it at times can be a little slippery. Finished wood on the other hand is completely smooth and has no place for slippery contaminents to be trapped. I think the highly varnished or finished surfaces actually provide more grip. Slide your palm along a piece of sanded but unfinished wood and see how easily it glides along. Now finish that wood with varnish, oil, etc., and do it again. You'll likely find that your palm will "grab" or hang as it moves along the surface.

[upnorth]

Chad is spot on about the wood handles and wet. I have had a few people say the same think and just took the rod over to the faucet and drenched it and handed it to them and they were amazed. And if they start getting a little worn, a little scuff job and some finish of your choice and they look good as new.

[pureinsanity]

I have a cork handle that was covered in epoxy and people ask me all the time if that slips when it gets wet. It doesn't. That cork is preserved for life. So I imagine the wood wouldn't be slick at all