A question for those in the know or anyone who has an opinion.

Why do rods 7 weight and over have full wells and those under have half wells?

Of course, I ask the question broadly as there are the exception but in general it does seem this way.

Is the meant to be more effort required to 'load' a #7 and hence the full wells and again the opposite for the #6 rods and under?

why not have full wells for all rods?


Responses appreciated.

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I think it's because the 7wt and above you generally would want to cast longer, and it's useful to have the top wells to push against with your thumb.
Reverse half wells or superfine cigar are normally on 5 and under because it just looks nicer (and sells better), though I would put a half wells on anything from 4 upwards, especially if it's a longer rod.

Its not the handel style that confuses me, its fighting butts?
What are they about?

They are there to snag the line during hauling.......much better than the reel handle..............birdsnest

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I like Fighting Butts on my rods.........makes me look like a hard core angler

All jokes aside, I find them comfortable as this can butt up against your fore-arm when casting. Or maybe I just cast weird!

Ben

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On a 5 and under, probably just decoration, but on a higher weight for larger stronger fish, useful for jamming into your hip or gut for added leverage in fighting the fish.
Never seen a a FB on a cigar/Rev HW but almost always on a HW/FW.
You get one (a little one) by default on an uplock seat, and some say it's good to keep your reels out of the dirt.

Funny, my only heavy weight rod, 9'4" 7/8# XL50, has a fighting butt and the rare occasions it comes out the butt comes off. I find it annoying and obtrusive thing against my fore-arm.

Each to his own.

I can't see it is needed as a comfortable brace against the sheer fighting power of a 4lb rainbow!!!!

Usefukl if you are fighting a salmon on a smaller river though.

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Think full wells is designed to give more purchase on the handle and prevent your grip sliding forward when making longer casts usually as mentioned with middle and upper weight single handed fly rods.

Half wells are aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to use on shorter and lighter AFTM rods where presentation and accuracy are paramount.No I am not saying you cannot be both with a full wells handle

Given there are always exceptions to the rule as in the older model Enigma EMG 10ft 7wts I have has half wells and a Loomis GLX 10ft 6wt I have seen in the hands of a top angler

Best JP

Personal preference! I find them extremely helpful in the right situations, for fighting the fish.

When I fish for sea trout on the coast, I normally need to put a lot of pressure on the fish. They can be quite big, very aggressive and very healthy with good fitness. I find that the fighting butt help keep the reel away from my body.

As rods become better in quality I also think that more 5 and 6wt's. should be offered with fighting butts. You no longer need a 7wt. to fish for large fish or throw a long line. - Meaning you see more and more light tackle used for bigger fish. Lighter tackle has become stronger and is not a pain to cast all day as the heavier 7wt's.

But it all comes down to personal preference. I like it in some situations and am not particularly bothered about it snagging the line.

Most longer #6 rods (9.6, 10 ft) have full wells, I just can't get on with half wells if I need to cast any distance.As for fighting butts- they can take a lot of strain caused by rod leverage if kept under the forearm.I play my fish hard, holding them tight at the boat, and the butt is invaluable when the rod tip is bent over alarmingly, it really does reduce strain on the wrist.Not sure how you catch your line on them when hauling Birdsnest

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