How to install a Gimbal on a fishing rod

Installing a Gimbal Butt on a Fishing Rod Handle

To take full advantage of the features of our fishing rod holders, install a gimbal butt on the fishing rods you will be using with your rod holder.  The gimbal will help secure the rod from twisting from side to side when you are reeling in a fish.
 

The installation will take a little bit of mechanical ability to install. A gimbal butt on a fishing rod IS WORTH THE EFFORT. The installation will require the use of a handsaw, sandpaper or a file, and contact cement.

Instructions

1.      The first thing you want to do is make sure that the reel seat  is the proper length for your arm and hand to reel in a fish. Put the Barracuda or Side Winder on and insert a fishing rod and mark the spot where your hand is comfortable for reeling. I use 10”  measured from the end of the reel seat toward the end of the rod. Measure from the mark to the rear of the reel seat.  

2.      Then apply that measurement to the butt of the fishing rod, mark, and cut that much off the bottom of the rod handle.  Leaving the reel seat where you have determined it will be comfortable for you.  
 

• 3.      Now take your gimbal and see if it fits on your rod where you’ve cut it.  You want to have a firm fit.  If the gimbal is too small for the rod handle you will need to get a larger gimbal that will fit or sand or file the handle, just enough for the gimbal to fit all the way on the rod handle. If the gimbal is too lose on your fishing rod handle simply wrap masking tape around the end of  handle where the gimbal will go. Make sure that the gimbal is a firm fit.  Insert the rod with a gimbal on it to make sure of the length.  Make any adjustments to the length as necessary.
   

4.      When you have the gimbal fitting on the rod handle firmly, you are ready to glue. During the gluing process you will need to align your fishing rod with the eyelets in the proper position.  The best way to align the rod is to put the rod holder on.  Carefully apply glue (3M 21210 Super 77 Spray Adhesive) to the area on the fishing rod where the gimbal is going.  Push the gimbal onto the rod handle then insert the fishing rod into the rod holder as you would when you’re fishing.  Making sure that the gimbal engages the bolt at the base of the rod tube. There is a stainless steel pivot bolt at the bottom of the rod tube which is also designed for the gimbal to engage.  After you have the gimbal engaged in the stainless steel bolt check to see that your rod seat and eyelets are lined up properly with the center of the rod holder. If they are off center just turn the rod to get them in the position you want.
 

5.      Your job is complete. We recommend that you remove the fishing rod very carefully as not to move the alignment of the rod and gimbal.  Set the rod of side for 24 hours before use.
 

***** The reason for using contact cement it’s easy to remove if you need to.  Just add heat to the gimbal and slide it off the rod handle. *****  
 

***** If you don’t want to take on a project like this; look for a custom rod builder in your area the ones I know are happy to help. *****

 

• After you install a gimbal butt on your fishing rod insert the rod into the rod tube. Making sure that the reel seat and the eyelets on the fishing rod are in the correct position. Also, check the gimbal making sure that it is seated properly on the pivot bolt. When you are satisfied that everything is in its proper position, screw the white thumbscrew (image 1, figure 2) firmly against the fishing rod. 
• Now, screw the 3/8” reducer (image 2, figure 1) into the plunger housing (image 1, figure 1) until it is tight. The reducer will be used as a drilled template in order to drill a pilot hole in the gimbal. Next, using the 7/32” drill bit furnished with the plunger installation kit, drill a 7/32” hole through the gimbal and approximately 3/8 of an inch into the rod following the guide hole provided by the 3/8” reducer.  When you drill the first hole don’t be alarmed if you notice some of the reducer’s threads being cut off. It is designed to cut most of the inside threads away. After the pilot hole is drilled remove the fishing rod from the rod tube and drill a 5/16” hole in   
• After you install a gimbal butt on your fishing rod insert the rod into the rod tube. Making sure that the reel seat and the eyelets on the fishing rod are in the correct position. Also, check the gimbal making sure that it is seated properly on the pivot bolt. When you are satisfied that everything is in its proper position, screw the white thumbscrew (image 1, figure 2) firmly against the fishing rod. 
• Now, screw the 3/8” reducer (image 2, figure 1) into the plunger housing (image 1, figure 1) until it is tight. The reducer will be used as a drilled template in order to drill a pilot hole in the gimbal. Next, using the 7/32” drill bit furnished with the plunger installation kit, drill a 7/32” hole through the gimbal and approximately 3/8 of an inch into the rod following the guide hole provided by the 3/8” reducer.  When you drill the first hole don’t be alarmed if you notice some of the reducer’s threads being cut off. It is designed to cut most of the inside threads away. After the pilot hole is drilled remove the fishing rod from the rod tube and drill a 5/16” hole in the gimbal expanding the 7/32” hole to 5/16”.

After the hole is completed you are ready to install the spring loaded plunger and locking nut. To begin, screw the locking nut all the way to the end of the threaded body of the plunger. Next, pull the plunger handle up to the top of the plunger, lock it into position by turning the handle so it will rest on top of the plunger body. Now, screw the plunger into the rod tube’s plunger housing. Looking down the end of the rod tube Stop Screwing the Plunger into the Housing just before the threaded body of the plunger reaches the inside of the rod tube. The next step is to secure the plunger with the locking nut. Holding the plunger in place with a 3/8” open end wrench to tighten the lock nut with a 9/16” open end wrench until you can’t turn the plunger by hand. Caution DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.