Anyone still use the old school pistol grip rods? My dad has several with some older Ambassador reels on them…thought about grabbing a couple, cleaning them up and oiling/re-lining them fishing with them, “just because”

I do occasionally. Ill throw a spinnerbait on them. Very accurate if you perfect the underhand roll cast. Obviously, just not much leverage.

My fishing partner's dad died recently. He had a pile of old Berkley Lightning pistol grips that were all 6' or less. I grabbed all of em. There couldn't be a more perfect rod for the small rivers and creeks that I love to fish. Pair that pistol grip with one of the new small form factor baitcasters and it's perfect. I love them for moving baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or buzzbaits.

Facts here fellas. Light action and 5’ or so, I use one for the same type of fishing.


I got an old lew’s speed stick I need to find and rig up.

I like a pistol grip when fishing a swim bait. I’ve got several old lightning rods.

I guess everyone who reads here knows that I like them, but that's mainly because I fish sitting down. I think the modern pistol grip that has a blank that goes to the end of the rod provides more sensitivity than any other rod setup. I put a 3"x1&1/8" foregrip on it and can use it to fight a big fish and have essentially the same leverage as a long handle. I build most of them with 7' blanks now. They balance near the middle of the foregrip.

Didn't have any trouble landing this one on a crappie jig and 5 lb line Tuesday.

I agree with PCP. I sit also. Too old to stand all day.

Caught my pb largemouth (8.5lbs) on an old pistol grip lightning rod at g'ville back in the day. Bet that rods at the house somewhere.

I have six or seven of those too and love them. They are damn near indestructible. I hate the long handled rods that are all the rage now.

Another old guy that sits while fishing and love the pistol grips . The long handle rods are uncomfortable for me

Dammit. I’m gonna have to get the old Berkley out after reading this…..Dad bought me, him and my brother one new when I was in high school. And I’m 56. Actually mine is a Whippin’ Stick I think. Shaped like a bull whip.

I bought an old abu Garcia rod like this and the cork pistol grip crumbled while I was fishing. Is there a way to replace that pistol grip? Would really love to get that rod back in service.

If you can find a new one you should be able put it on the rod in place of the old one?

Funny yall mentioned the sitting down part. In retrospect, that's a huge part of it. In the canoe, you can fishing spinning gear easy. I can fish the pistol grips easy, but if I take one of my tourney baitcaster setups, it's a hassle.

I have a mint condition 5'6" Berkely Lightning Rod if anyone is interested, drop me a PM.

Mudhole has them, but it depends on how the rod is made as to how easy it will be to replace it.

https://mudhole.com/products/5-pistol-grip

I saved up as a kid and brought the first Lew's speed spool reel they put out and paired it with the Lew's speed stick, still have the reel but was wanting to get the same set up with the rod, cheap on ebay but like $65 for shipping!

Thank you PCP