"Poodle Tail" grip aside, how do you like the 7' Berkley Lightning/Shock spinning rod.  What action/power is it? Does is throw light baits good?  I always thought the Lightning rod series was a good rod for the price.  I think you can get the Shock rod at Wally World for about $40.  Which again would make it ok to modify the handle without risking damage to a high $ rod.

 

I went to BPS to buy it and they were out of 7' Med; the guy talked me into a Lightning Rod (not Shock); it was $50. After I bought it, I decided I really wanted the Shock. I returned it and bought the 7' Med Shock at Walmart fo $40 and added 2 yrs of insurance for only $3. I like the rod and I am able to flick finesse baits and weightless flukes with ease. I have caught quite a few bass on it already on flukes, shakey head 1/8 oz worm and spinnerbait. Setting the hook on texas rigged plastics has been fine.

I bet that proud poodle would make one heckuva duck dog.

 

I see what you did there. 

If split grip is a poodle tail then what's a full grip?

Marketing 101?

Does he sit in the chair next to you at restaurants and order off the menu?

No, silly! I always do the ordering for my date!