Shortening handle and adding wooden grips

[Mattfish]

Howdy y'all.

I just bought, and used, a Tidewater TW66 "trolling rod" for use on headboats and the like. My first trip, I love it. Great rod, and surprisingly sensitive for a beefstick.

The problem is, the butt is way too long for me--- normally I don't order rods online for this reason but you can't find rods like this in Raleigh easily.


This one was a PAIN to swap hands as the headboat twisted and turned a bit when anchored, and I want to remove 6" from the butt of it.


Before I go sawing off part of the reel, anyone have any tips?


Oh, and I have a lathe and am thinking of replacing the foam grips (upper and lower) with wood, probably either white oak , kumaru, or mesquite. Is this plausible without risking destroying the rod?