Cutting down trolling rods??

[evileye]

Can trolling rods be cut down into standup rods? I have 2 custom 30 and 2 custom 50 lb. 7' long trolling rods with Aftco butts and rollers. I would love to be able to use them. I went with an outboard boat and really would rather have 6' with a 12 or 13" foregrip. I'm sure the action would change but is it possible? Thanks.

[clt_capt]

You can certainly cut the rods down, but you may not want to...

One of the challenges you will face is deciding where to cut... If you cut from the tip, you'll wind up with a broomstick.

If you cut from the butt, you'll probably have to move the guides and install a new foregrip, before re-wrapping the guides.

[FLATLINER]

I wouldn't recommend it. You are talking 2 different actions. The action of a chair rod is parabolic and the action of a standup is faster. That said, if they made standups long just to get around the outboards, then you will be cutting 12 inches of the fast taper off of the blank. The fast action is where you get the action of the rod.

What I would do is take the rod, without a reel, and flex the rod and see how it bends and then come back 12" and see how it would look being a foot shorter. Your deciding factor here will be where the backbone of the rod kicks in. If you have enough to still have an action, then try it. If not, Ebay and get some nice new ones that are made properly.

Kevin