I'm planning on purchasing one of the following spinning rods STR1083S (GL2,length:9') or STR1173S-SK (GL3,length: 9'9"). The 1173 has what's called a "Skamania" style cork handle, which means the rod's foregrip is long and it rear grip is short. The 1083 has a more traditional style cork handle with a typical longer rear grip. My question is has anybody have any gripes about the new "Skamania" style handles or functional problems with the short grip when it comes to spin casting or playing a fish?

I plan to use the new rod for steelhead float/jig fishing, spinners, and salt water beach spin casting for coho (small buzz bombs & floats w/herring).

Thanks for any help!

[This message has been edited by Bobber Down (edited 04-20-2000).]

I have several rods with the long forgrip and short rear grip and I do not like it that way. Just felt like the rod was to tip heavy. I finally rebuilt the rods and moved the reel seat forward and rods felt much more balanced. For quite a few years I just didn't use the reel seat and black taped the reels to the rods. But, now I have replaced the seats. These rods were 9 footers and 12 footers. These long forgrips work ok with a "fly type" reel but not with a spinning reel. fp

I have a 1083s and will not put it down! Its awesome for everything as far as #3 spinners to float fishing and even tested on chums and a 24 pound Queets King! That is my limit for this rod though is 25 lbs. (never incedently though)Ill try anything once! Oh ya it has a Stradic 4000 on it. Perfect balance since this rod is a little on the med side. Let me know if ya want one? I have a friend who has one and never used it. W/ a semetry 2000 on it. I think that a 2000 is too light for that rod and especially Salmon though.

That handle is what turned me away from buying a 1083, It`s probably okay, it just did`nt feel right to me, I went ahead and got the 1084 instead. If you really wanted it in a spinning version I would imagine you could probably order it that way from TH

The GL3 ST 1173S-SK comes from the factory with the #28 handle kit. Some people love this handle kit and others don't. The great thing about having a rod custom built is that you can have it built with any handle kit you wish.

I would be more than happy to give you a quote on the GL3 ST1173 with both the (SK) #28 handle kit and the traditional #27 handle kit.

TH
www.thcustomrods