Pistol Grip Casting Rods? Yes, Absolutely Relevant!
Pistol Grip Casting Rods? Yes, Absolutely Relevant!
May 2018, Carl Garrard
I cut my teeth bass fishing with pistol grip casting rods. Over 30 years ago, I started using a Berkley Lightning Rod, Bionix, and Series one in pistol grip configuration. For years I caught countless largemouth on them without any issues whatsoever. Even my biggest largemouth to date (8lbs 6oz) was landed on the shortest rod in my inventory, a 5'6" MH power Berkley Bionix on 12lb test. My favorite technique to use on these rods was also the most active and physically demanding at the time, jerk bait fishing. I'd use those pistol grip rods all day long, often up to 12hrs at a time non stop. My best day bassin, I caught over 133 bass with my good friend Brian. Half those fish were mine, and half were caught on a pistol grip bass rod. I never suffered any sort of fatigue or lost fish because of that type of design. For many purposes of its time, the light, nimble and capable pistol grip rod was suited perfectly. And today, I'm still finding plenty of use for one.
Berkley BCLR601M-PG Lightning Rod Pistol Grip (Best Price!)
I used those rods up to April of this year. I caught my biggest fish of the year on the same 5' 6" Berkley Bionix rod, a 4.75lb largemouth using my favorite, a (you guessed it) jerkbait. I have never had any issues muscling in bass on these short nimble and capable style of rods. They are perfect for specific kinds of use. The Bionix and Series One (6') are both semi retired until my 7yr old daughter can learn how to use a baitcaster. I only retired them because I bought brand new set ups, 17 of them to be exact, to fully outfit myself for my resurgence in my desire to get serious with bass fishing once more. One of those 17 set ups, was a 6' medium action pistol grip rod and reel pictured below. Why did I buy a brand new pistol grip rod then?
KastKing Stealth Baitcasting Reel (BEST PRICE!)
The reason I bought another new pistol grip, is because I know the value of having the nimble pistol grip rod in your arsenal . For casting light lures, or in tight quarters, or when I need the most compact set up to bring with me somewhere, they just cannot be beat. I'm amazed to look at the sheer lack of available models, and proud of Berkley to offer a couple new models in their lineup still, regardless that they are the same length and action/power.
Berkley Series One Casting (BEST PRICE!)
What happened to the pistol grip? Well, that's a tough question to ask. I think there is a multitude of reasons why they are scarce, but the number one reason is because the industry changed. Once, these types of rods were all you could buy. Nobody made a straight long handled bass rod. And when the time came that anglers realized the leverage benefits of the long handle, it started a trend. That trend would last almost 20 years long. Bass fishing got way more serious, braid line came out, and getting fish to the boat in a hurry became a huge priority - especially for tournament pros. Longer handled rods meant you could leverage huge bass out of heavy cover better and overpower them to the boat. An obvious and needed advantage when sport fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
Yet, I think the industry has moved a bit too far in one direction. I think these type of rods still have a very unique advantage amongst the lineup of rods available today. And being an angler that is huge on finesse or presentation techniques, there is no way I'm giving up that advantage. Of all my rods only one or two will remain pistol grip types, but I'm sure they will get a lot of use when I'm fishing the shore, tight quarters, or just flat out want the lightest set up in my hands for the day.
These days, my favorite lures to use on a pistol grip will be Pop'R's, texas rigged grubs and 4" worms, #9 jerkbaits, senko's, and 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits and jigs. They are hyper accurate to cast, super lightweight, and highly capable of bringing in big bass. Remember this, you'll be using this rod a lot more than the amount of time you'll be muscling in a fish. Using a lightweight, hyper accurate rod and reel combination all day is a very pleasurable experience.
With some stout line, you'll be able to muscle in big bass with no problems. There is also much less arm fatigue to factor in when used for the types of lures that require the most work to use. Of course you're not going to use a swimbait, or heavier lures with a rod and reel like this. It has its niche that other rods won't be as good for. And know that I'm not waxing poetic about the pistol grip here, if I had to choose one rod only to use all day, it wouldn't be a pistol grip. Yet, it does have an invaluable place in my overall arsenal.
To me, a pistol grip baitcast rod helps give you an additional necessary tool that other rods can't offer, and will help you catch more bass in certain circumstances. Don't be afraid to grab one and try one out. Give it a chance and you might find you'll end up liking it much more than you thought you would, and you'll be thanking me later!
As for my 5' 6" Berkley Bionix, it's semi-retired and not forgotten. It's survived literally hundreds of largemouth bass, saltwater sand bass and calico bass, and still has all the original guides and parts. Not bad for a $75.00 rod I got for a birthday gift from KMart back in 1986.
-Carl Garrard
May 2018, Carl Garrard
Berkley BCLR601M-PG Lightning Rod Pistol Grip (Best Price!)
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| 4lb 12oz largemouth caught on my 32yr old pistol grip 5' 6" Berkley Bionix. So far, my biggest fish of the year. |
I used those rods up to April of this year. I caught my biggest fish of the year on the same 5' 6" Berkley Bionix rod, a 4.75lb largemouth using my favorite, a (you guessed it) jerkbait. I have never had any issues muscling in bass on these short nimble and capable style of rods. They are perfect for specific kinds of use. The Bionix and Series One (6') are both semi retired until my 7yr old daughter can learn how to use a baitcaster. I only retired them because I bought brand new set ups, 17 of them to be exact, to fully outfit myself for my resurgence in my desire to get serious with bass fishing once more. One of those 17 set ups, was a 6' medium action pistol grip rod and reel pictured below. Why did I buy a brand new pistol grip rod then?
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| 6' Berkley Lightning Rod, medium power, moderate-fast action. Berkley Lightning Rods are one of the, if not the, best bang for the buck rods on the market today. Boy have they changed (and improved!). The Kastking Stealth is seriously spec'd out, and only 5.9 ounces. A powerful lightweight combo that will not break your bank! |
KastKing Stealth Baitcasting Reel (BEST PRICE!)
The reason I bought another new pistol grip, is because I know the value of having the nimble pistol grip rod in your arsenal . For casting light lures, or in tight quarters, or when I need the most compact set up to bring with me somewhere, they just cannot be beat. I'm amazed to look at the sheer lack of available models, and proud of Berkley to offer a couple new models in their lineup still, regardless that they are the same length and action/power.
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| The modern pistol grip Series One from Berkley. A far cry from the original pistol grip Series One that was WAY ahead of its time in design. Berkley incorporated the first through-blank fighting butt, smaller than normal guides, and silicon carbide in the guide design. The rods also had excellent stiff blanks that made lures come alive. I loved them! I'll have to give a modern one a try, maybe Berkley can send me one to test? |
What happened to the pistol grip? Well, that's a tough question to ask. I think there is a multitude of reasons why they are scarce, but the number one reason is because the industry changed. Once, these types of rods were all you could buy. Nobody made a straight long handled bass rod. And when the time came that anglers realized the leverage benefits of the long handle, it started a trend. That trend would last almost 20 years long. Bass fishing got way more serious, braid line came out, and getting fish to the boat in a hurry became a huge priority - especially for tournament pros. Longer handled rods meant you could leverage huge bass out of heavy cover better and overpower them to the boat. An obvious and needed advantage when sport fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
Yet, I think the industry has moved a bit too far in one direction. I think these type of rods still have a very unique advantage amongst the lineup of rods available today. And being an angler that is huge on finesse or presentation techniques, there is no way I'm giving up that advantage. Of all my rods only one or two will remain pistol grip types, but I'm sure they will get a lot of use when I'm fishing the shore, tight quarters, or just flat out want the lightest set up in my hands for the day.
These days, my favorite lures to use on a pistol grip will be Pop'R's, texas rigged grubs and 4" worms, #9 jerkbaits, senko's, and 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits and jigs. They are hyper accurate to cast, super lightweight, and highly capable of bringing in big bass. Remember this, you'll be using this rod a lot more than the amount of time you'll be muscling in a fish. Using a lightweight, hyper accurate rod and reel combination all day is a very pleasurable experience.
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| Theres my little 5'6" bionix on the ground. Another stout bass conquered. |
With some stout line, you'll be able to muscle in big bass with no problems. There is also much less arm fatigue to factor in when used for the types of lures that require the most work to use. Of course you're not going to use a swimbait, or heavier lures with a rod and reel like this. It has its niche that other rods won't be as good for. And know that I'm not waxing poetic about the pistol grip here, if I had to choose one rod only to use all day, it wouldn't be a pistol grip. Yet, it does have an invaluable place in my overall arsenal.
To me, a pistol grip baitcast rod helps give you an additional necessary tool that other rods can't offer, and will help you catch more bass in certain circumstances. Don't be afraid to grab one and try one out. Give it a chance and you might find you'll end up liking it much more than you thought you would, and you'll be thanking me later!
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| It's 32 years old, has landed hundreds of fish, and it's still going strong. Berkley were right to imbed a heart into the handle. I've always loved this rod, truly. |
As for my 5' 6" Berkley Bionix, it's semi-retired and not forgotten. It's survived literally hundreds of largemouth bass, saltwater sand bass and calico bass, and still has all the original guides and parts. Not bad for a $75.00 rod I got for a birthday gift from KMart back in 1986.
-Carl Garrard
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