Rod length problem

[jt24]

I bought a St.Croix 6'6" spinning rod about a month ago and i went to put it in my rod locker and the front eyelet is to big to fit in my tubes so i am unable to slide the rod in far enough to get my rod into the rod locker. The handle is about a 1/2" from going in the locker. I have a 05' 18ft Lund Mr. Pike. Can the handle be shortened without much problem?

[JohnMickish]

What you have is the classic Lund/St. Croix issue. For whatever reason, Lund puts there tubes a little farther back than most boat companies and St. Croix uses a little larger eye on the first eye.

If you really have to use that rod, I think you would be better off replacing the first eye with one that is a little smaller than to hack off the handle. Any competant rod builder would be able to handle the job for you.

[CAMAN]

If you must, cutting a 1/2" off the handle isn't a big deal either. You will probably never notice the length change, and there is nothing structural in the butt that would cause the rod to break. I've done it to a rod in the past because the handle was just a bit too long and it's easy.

Take a fine blade hacksaw and cut off close to the butt cork. Then cut off whatever length you need from the handle. To glue the butt back on take a little 5 minute two part epoxy and lightly coat one side and put it in place, hold it firmly in place until the epoxy sets up. Let the epoxy harden, and when ready use some medium sandpaper to blend everything together.

[traveler]

loan it to me for a couple weeks...chances are it will come back a couple inches shorter!

[Jim Almquist]

You should be able to take the front eye off with a lighter and a pair of gloves. Just heat it up and twist it off and replace with a smaller front eye.

[CAMAN]

You should be able to take the front eye off with a lighter and a pair of gloves. Just heat it up and twist it off and replace with a smaller front eye.

I believe he is talking about the guide closest to the reel.

[Jim Almquist]

Thanks for the heads up. I re-read and you are 100% correct !

Wonder if there is anyway to pull the tube and cut some of it off ?

[harvey lee]

I would agree that if the rod has to be shortened only a 1/2 inch, one could cut the butt end off that much. But remember the end of the rod blank will be exposed and water could get into the end of the rod.

Much better to see if you could revamp the rod tube to fit the rod or replace the guide with a smaller one if it would not have to be that much smaller. Most any rod builder could replace the guide for a reasonable fee.

[gregg52]

get rid of the dam lund !!!...lol

[harvey lee]

Or maybe get a G Loomis.

[CAMAN]

I would agree that if the rod has to be shortened only a 1/2 inch, one could cut the butt end off that much. But remember the end of the rod blank will be exposed and water could get into the end of the rod.

Like I said in my post above, cut off the butt cap, then cut off however much you need from the handle and re-glue the butt cap, seals it right back up.

[Bigtom]

Get the sawzall out and do some modifying. Or New boat time!!!!! Maybe a 8' rod locker. Good luck.

[Northlander]

Trim the one tube the rod goes in so the bottom 1/2 is open. I will say Lund should have seen this from the get go.