80 lbs Short Bent butts?

[cravertosu]

I just bought some pretty nice used custom 80lbs tuna rods that came with Aftco long bent butts. Was wondering if you guys had Short bent butts in the 80lbs class. I didn't see any in the catalog or online.

Also, is the thread size of the butts a standard size or do they come in several different diameters? If need be, I can attach a couple of pictures.

Thanks,
Tim

[clt_capt]

Tim,
80# butts are usually #4 AFTCO or PAC BAY - You can order online from Donart Rods - www.donartrods.com or Mudhole - www.mudhole.com

Also Custom Marine Fabrication in New Bern usually carries a small selection of butts - they may have 80#

[islandshark633]

Aftco makes a short(er) 80# butt than the one you have, but it is still 2.5" longer than the 50# shortie. I have one and it is still longer than I would like to be a true stand up rig. The reel still sits just a bit too high and too far from the gimbal.

I asked Aftco at the MBS if they would consider a true 80# short butt and they said no, not enough demand for the tooling costs.

Having said that, they also said that the 50# butt would not break under any circumstances and that I should feel free to build an 80# short, stump pulling tuna/swordfish rod on a 50# butt and have a nice day. So thats what I am going to do.

[cravertosu]

Aftco makes a short(er) 80# butt than the one you have, but it is still 2.5" longer than the 50# shortie. I have one and it is still longer than I would like to be a true stand up rig. The reel still sits just a bit too high and too far from the gimbal.

I asked Aftco at the MBS if they would consider a true 80# short butt and they said no, not enough demand for the tooling costs.

Having said that, they also said that the 50# butt would not break under any circumstances and that I should feel free to build an 80# short, stump pulling tuna/swordfish rod on a 50# butt and have a nice day. So thats what I am going to do.

Hmmm...thanks for sharing that. That's exactly the reason I'm looking to get the short butt, stand up. Think it matters or would be ok for me considering I'm over 6ft?

Also, any experience working with a straight short 80lb butt?

Thanks,
Tim

[islandshark633]

I am 6ft too, and I don't care for the 80# 'shorter' butt, here is what it looks like fighting a tuna -



the reel wobbles too much as it is still too high off the gimble. But, it is the best you will do because you can not fit a 50# butt on the 80 as the threads are different.

the straight butt is just as long as the bent one so no gain there.

[islandshark633]

by comparison, this the the short 50# butt, much more managable

[clt_capt]

The 50# Short butt is much more manageable standup - than an 80 bent, but a short straight 80# would probably work just fine - without causing you a big hassle or damaging the rods.

If the rods have a #4 ferrule, it is going to be a real pain to remove them to put a #2 on there for a 50# butt - although you may be able to find a machine shop that could make you an adapter...

As a matter of fact I had JPR Rods make me a pair of 80 Class rods with short 50# bent butts a while back - haven't used them much, but the have a nice fit and feel.

[mozza]

We have UB2 bent butts on the 80s and it works sweet.

[El Capo]

This is a short curved #2 by aftco.It has an avet on it for the picture but normally we run a tiagra 50wlrs on it with #130 spectra and #80-#100 top shot.It works perfect with the reel a little lower.I think aftco came out with an adapter for #2 to #4 sizes.

[Fortunamate]

and if have a problem with the butt being to short i can get you the info for some sweet swivel extenders we run them and they work much better with the short bent butt's