Shortening a Tailwalk grip: seven grams made a difference

First published on 30 December 2021 and last updated on 22 December 2022, the Japanese article includes both the modification and what happened after the rod changed hands.

I have since passed this rod on to Oka… from Aso.

Cutting back the grip

The rod was a Tailwalk AJIST SSD 511 15th Anniversary Limited. At 65 g, it felt heavy for such a short rod. On a full swing, it felt as though it might slip out of my hand.

I also noticed a slight heaviness towards the butt. So I tried cutting back the rear grip.

After cutting it, I filled the end with EVA and finished it smoothly with black resin.

Seen from a distance, the modified rod looked like a Yoihime Ten.

The change took off 7 g, bringing the total weight to 58 g. It still felt a fraction heavy, but reasonably good.

I fitted a Soare BB 500S. The balance felt less tip-heavy than the Yoihime Ten 610.

This could work. It had a purposeful, professional ajing feel.

Trying a full swing indoors, I noticed that the sound as it cut through the air had changed. This might be quite something.

As for the power to lift out an aji of around 30 cm, I was less sure. With a 200 g weight attached and lifted, the rod’s curve approached an upside-down U.

Fine adjustments

I wondered what the manufacturer would think on seeing it. Well, there are all sorts of people.

I make small adjustments to the taper of most of my rods. The truth is that I have yet to encounter one whose curve looks completely beautiful to me just as it comes.

Through my work, I am accustomed to delicate polishing, usually working up to 15,000 grit. I think of it as something like tuning a racing car.

Of course, I adjusted this rod too.

Its next owner’s solution

But then…

Oka… from Aso showed me the rod. He found one-handed casting awkward, so he had added a rear grip again, much as it had originally been.

Oh dear… Still, let us call that a good result too. Ha!