Does anyone still use short, pistol-grip rods for bass?

Just wondering.....

Yep, made them years ago and ain't worn them out yet.

Bought one of the Lew's short straight handles last year 5'6. Great for docks and over hangs
Keep hoping all-star would do a run in the classic series ones

I have a 5'6" M, fast tip spinning rod which essentially has a pistol grip. Its butt end is too short to lodge it under my forearm much and I use just my wrist to control it. Since it is shorter, it doesn't need the extra butt end length as it has much greater leverage over a longer rod.

And, I have a short casting rod, too, 5'6" with a true pistol grip.

I have purchased both of these since you and I made the trip to Oklahoma. I love both of these rods for fishing out of a canoe or kayak!

I'll bring both along next time we get out to fish!

Brad

Nope, way better choices these days for me.

those 1 handed (pistol grip) rods gave me tennis elbow from casting with them. all mine are such that i can cast using both hands, and no more tennis elbow.

I have one of the All Star 6' MH Pitchin' Sticks. I wore out the cork handle & just recently replaced it with a Winn Grip handle. Great for close quarters or for the Yak'ers.

I use one for throwing topwaters

No, those days are long gone. Do they still make them?

..YES SIR,,,,
and they still catch fish. Ugly STick 5'6" Medium
makes a great roadrunner and small swim bait rod
Also really good for small 4" stick baits under boats docks
it is truly amazing what you can do with 5'6 & 6 foot rods,,,,,,truly a lost art.

Yep still use em! Perfect for close quarter cypress tree filled lakes. I throw chatterbaits and spinnerbaits on a 5'6" BPS extreme mh rod. doesn't have to be super special I use 50lb braid and whip the bait way back in there!

Correct. They are very handy for kayaks and even boats for short action presentations like most pitching presentations. Accuracy really improves using one in the right circumstances, too.

I have used them for throwing frogs and it works well for some odd reason, but for longer casts, longer rods make more sense, of course.

Tom, for a high quality bass rod, I have this one (see below) in the 5'6" model with the Type 1 handle. See its specs, too. I love it. I have an old Ugly Stik with a pistol grip and I might use it for white bass. It is very soft but very durable. Brad

Saw some at Bass Pro this weekend.

Yep, still use an old boron 5'6"

Yes. Love mine for tight quarters/short pitches.

I guess either I'm not as much of a 'dinosaur' as I thought I was, or there are a lot more of us. I haven't used one in almost 20 years, but re-rigged with a hand-wrapped jig & pork rod for my next trip. I sure miss my old Browning Boron 5'6" caster!

They work good when you have belly in the way...just saying.

They went away about the same time that "boat flipping" 5 pounders became the "in thing". Them little pistol grips offer no leverage.

that makes me think of Hank Parker, bet he's got a warehouse full of them.

I wish that I could still find them. They cast so much more accurately
than the long handles

Have 2 5 1/2 fenwick HMG ‘s 7 power also a skyline 51/2 med it has the best pistol grip .
Also have 2 Fenwick HMG’s 6 ft 7 power. The skyline I use for topwater fishing on occasion.
Still use 6 ft fenwick s when I feel like it.
J D

And yes they all have round abu ‘s on them.

I saw a guy using one this weekend. From a distance it looked like an ugly stick.

Broke my last one maybe 10 years ago.

I pulled an old one out this weekend to see if I could get some crappie to bite a jig. First few casts felt like I was gonna throw it in the lake. I’m too used to having more handle. Was weird.

I have a vintage, custom 5 1/2 MH fiberglass. Short and stout. Great for accurate, close quarters underhand casts; like an extra long pitch. Caught a 7 lb. last year on a jig and was shocked how easily that rod brought the fish to the boat.

No, more leverage not less. Much more.

And, many (most) guys boat flipping big bass actually move one hand forward farther up on the rod itself beyond the reel, then flip it up over the gunwale that way. You could do the exact same thing with a 5' 6" rod.

The difference? Flipping a 5 lbs. bass with a shorter rod would feel lighter than with a long rod.

Still, and for sure, some people prefer longer rods even where long casts aren't required.

Brad

I like them for throwing the walk the dog baits. Hate having the long handle keep slapping my forearms.

I have quite a few Skyline 100% graphites I'd part with. $25 each

I have a couple of those and still enjoy fishing with them.

I have several, all Fenwicks. 4, 5, and 6 Power, Plus a couple Blackhawks (5 Power) and a couple of Boron rods.

Tried to post some pictures of 3 I bought a while back, photo quality bad.. Found them in a garage sale(of which I never stop at) these are perfect circa 1977-1980 Abu, Diawa, Shimano.. Matching rods by same makers, how rare, I broke a drag star while cleaning the best one of course, the Shimano... I'll need RT's help on that.
I remember when graffite rods came out, they were the coolest. We're so spoiled today it's a crying shame.
I put spinnerbaits on all three for testing, first cast or two was awkward, but I soon had them flying like the days of old.. Can't wait till Friday, they have fresh line! I'll tie on some 1/4 and 1/3 oz traps on a couple hoping for 5 lb +... fun fun fun.... Jimmy Houston style