2018 casting rods I am seeing a trend for reel seat lock ring nut adding a short foregrip. I give credit to G. Loomis NRX series for never offering a naked bare lock ring nut, they pioneered the short 2" foregrip design.

When I had my ALX rods made in 2012 they incorporated the 2" foregrip similar to NRX because the rods being offered by nearly everyone except Loomis had the uncomfortable naked light weight lock ring nut.

Daiwa Elite series came outwit ha soft lock ring foregrip and this year expanded the design similar Loomis on new Tatula series.

Watching varuios tournament series like MLF, B.A.S.S and WFL the foregrip rods are becoming more popular.

Good to see this evolution returning to short foregrips for comfort.

Tom

 

I'm a big fan of full cork handles and small cork foregrips/locking nut

I don't mind foregrip still have 3 full cork in service but I like slim low profile locknut and EVA foam better. Something like this

This type rod is more comfortable for me when fishing jerkbait (rod between two fingers). I also Check out new 2018 Daiwa tatula rod and plan to buy one, but can't wait so I just get myself another old reg tatula 7'1 MH/XF.

I’m not a fan of this trend.  I prefer a bare lock nut for comfort due to the way I palm a reel.  The flip side is that I can definitely see how some people would like it and the value of rod makers offering it.

I honestly get turned off by the foregrip and think it makes the rod look cheap.

The only reason I want a small foregrip is to hide the threads for visual comfort. If it is a stationary foregrip its an automatic no for me (think the e6x). That is the reason I am such a big fan of Kistler. I love their foregrips.

I've always liked a bit of a foregrip. For certain presentations, I slide my hand way forward, and it's just easier to grip and support the rod with the index finger with the added diameter and gripier surface. 

Everyone has their preference. To me a foregrip is just an extra half ounce that does me no good

Quote

If it is a stationary foregrip its an automatic no for me (think the e6x).

I'm the exact opposite. I love the fact that the lock nut on the E6X is separate from the foregrip. I hate rods that combine the foregrip and lock nut into one unit (like many shimanos and some St. Croix like the Avid X for example). 

 

to each his own

@BaitFinessewhich rod do you have? I've heard that happen with Fenwick Ateos and Fenwick Elite tech a lot. Luckily this has not happen to mine (Ateos) yet, knock on wood.

I have full handle cork rods which I like a lot but I am not a fan of foregrips. I just think they look dated. Plus I have never really had a need to grip the rod that high for extra leverage aside from maybe trying to free a snag. It's definitely useful when saltwater fishing offshore though.

The way I hold my casting rods is with my left hand the reel against the hand my ring and pinky finger holding the rods short foregrip lock ring, the rod blank between the ring and middle finger, the line over the tip of the index finger and under the thumb tip.

I have contact directly with the line and rod blank in front of the reel. The rod handle and butt along side my forearm. Right hand operates the reel.

This rod holding technique gives me maximum rod and line contact and control for both strike detection and hook setting leverage.

Rods with bare lock nut rings are very uncomfortable for me causing finger blisters.

We each develope our own individual skill sets, this is mine.

Tom

 

 

With rods that have full fore grips like swimbait and off shore salt water rods I hold with 3 fingers, pinky, ring and middle, fresh water casting rods, including crankbait rods, as explained above, you want a photo pm me. Works good with large round reels or small low profile reels. Pick up a rod try it before calling it bizzare.

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB said:

 

Pick up a rod try it before calling it bizzare.

Tom

How about call it old school? Lol.

I think I hold my rod like that when fishing with conventional reel Newell/Modified 6500c3 a few decades ago.

On 8/1/2018 at 4:54 PM, WRB said:

The way I hold my casting rods is with my left hand the reel against the hand my ring and pinky finger holding the rods short foregrip lock ring, the rod blank between the ring and middle finger, the line over the tip of the index finger and under the thumb tip.

I have contact directly with the line and rod blank in front of the reel. The rod handle and butt along side my forearm. Right hand operates the reel.

This rod holding technique gives me maximum rod and line contact and control for both strike detection and hook setting leverage.

Rods with bare lock nut rings are very uncomfortable for me causing finger blisters.

We each develope our own individual skill sets, this is mine.

Tom

 

 

Tom, you have had be thinking about this technique you use. I may be in the market for a new jig/pitch/frog rod but I do not see a ton of options that would handle these presentations well, around 7'3" or roughly in that neighborhood and have a small cork foregrip above the reel, preferably with a split cork grip and under $250 or so. Seems like G Loomis is about the only manufacture making them still with this type of foregrip but I imagine it would exceed my budget. Do you know of any other models I should check out?

Daiwa and St Croix has a few cork split grip with fore grip model rods off the shelf.

ALX, Alex makes excellent custom rods. Getting premium cork is difficult and I would ask Alex what he can do within your budget.

Tom