Took my new rig out today. The casting is sweet. The rod has about 10" of handle past the reel. My other rods have a pistol grip. The problem is after casting, and handing the rod off to the left hand, I have to reach out in front of me for that 10" of handle to clear my body. Then when cranking, the rod has to be either left or right of my body. Very awkward and uncomfortable.

I may wind up cutting the handle down to a pistol grip length.

How do you guys deal with that useless handle sticking out in the way?

I cast with the same hand that I hold the rod with while I reel. No switching involved.

BTW, Shimano

Daywa reels are better

Stick with the one you are more comfortable with.  All of my rods have split grip cork which has approx. 10~11" handle.  Mostly, I use both of my hands to cast and it suits better for my situation.  I've tried with my friend's rod with pistol grip handle and I didn't like it at all, felt weird and couldn't cast a mile.

It doesn't sound like the rod for you , take it back and get something you are comfortable with.

Cabelas took the rod back. They are the best. I happened to be near a BPS and checked their rods. I had a reel with me and test cast in the pond outside the front door. I had 2 rods in hand, but liked the first one so much, I didn't try the second one. The rod was a BPS Crankin' Stick, 6', lure wt 1/16 - 1/2 oz, line 6 - 14 #, med lite fast action with pistol grip.

With the Curado reel it is a sweet rig.

Now, where the hell is summer???? LOL

Oh yeah, Cabelas still did good....my wife bought a $200 coat while I returned the rod. The bait monkey moves in strange ways.