Abstract: A reel seat comprises a seat main body that comprises a reel leg placing portion to which a reel leg is placed and fixed and a tubular portion provided with an opening hole into which a rear end portion of a rod is fitted and fixed, and a grip is disposed on a rear side of the reel leg placing portion. The opening hole is formed so the rod to be fitted and fixed is offset downward relative to an axial center X of the grip, is formed further on a lower side than the reel leg placing portion, and is formed so that a rear end edge of the rod is located further on a rear side than a front end of a reel leg in a state where the reel leg of a fishing reel is placed and fixed to the reel leg placing portion.

Abstract: A retaining system for fishing apparatus includes elastic bands which hold the reel on the handle of a fishing rod. In another embodiment the elastic bands prevent sleeves which hold the reel on the handle from disengaging from the reel. In both embodiments the elastic bands have been specially designed to permit easy rolling along the handle of the fishing rod.

Abstract: The reel seat for mounting a dual-bearing reel on an upper side of a rod main body of a fishing rod extends in a front-rear direction in a plan view of the reel seat. The reel seat includes a reel foot mounting part on the upper side for mounting a reel foot of the dual-bearing reel such that a handle of the dual-bearing reel is located on a first side in a right-left direction in the plan view. The reel seat also includes a support wall for supporting a palm of a hand when palming the reel seat such that the support wall provided on a second side opposite to the first side in the right-left direction, the support wall protruding to the upper side on the second side of the reel seat.

Abstract: In some cases, the described reel coupler includes a rod coupler base that couples to a fishing rod, and a reel coupler base that couples to a fishing reel, and that selectively couples to the rod coupler base via a coupling mechanism. In some cases, the coupling mechanism includes a process on either the rod or the reel coupler base, and a corresponding recess in the other of the rod and the reel coupler base, with the process being configured to slidingly mate with the recess. In some cases, the reel coupler includes a lock that is configured to move between a locked position where a first portion of the lock blocks a portion of the process to prevent the process in the recess from sliding out of the recess, and a release position where the lock allows the process to slidingly decouple from the recess. Other implementations are described.

Abstract: A reel seat has a good handling property and good gripping comfortability at the time of gripping and holding a fishing rod with a fishing reel, further, the reel seat with which weight reduction is efficiently achieved. A seat main body of a reel seat has a divided structure of a first main body including a part where a reel foot mounting portion, a fixed hood, and a moving hood are arranged, the first main body being formed in a tubular shape secured on an outer peripheral surface of a fishing rod, and a second main body made of a material having strength equal to or less than the first main body, the second main body being disposed on and fixed to a surface of the first main body.

Abstract: A grip assembly configured for fixing a reel to a fishing rod includes a front seat grip non-movably fixable to a fishing rod, a gear rack on the front seat grip, a sliding grip movably fixable to the fishing rod and configured to slide in an axial direction of the fishing rod so as to selectively engage the front seat grip, a lever pivotally connected to the sliding grip, and at least one tooth provided on the lever. When the lever is actuated from an open position to a locked position, the at least one tooth engages the gear rack and the lever pulls the sliding grip toward the front seat grip on the fishing rod.

Abstract: The subject of the invention relates to a fishing rod that has a handle (1), a shaft (2), with tip top guide (7), containing a spring, a reel support seat (3) running between the handle (1) and the shaft (2), and reel support rings (26, 27) located on the seat (3), as well as a trigger (11) for using top-mounted reels. The essence of the invention is that the handle (1) is connected to the seat (3) and the seat (3) to the shaft (2) with releasable connections, and the seat (3) is established to accommodate both bottom-mounted and top-mounted reels (40) and also to accommodate a trigger (11) that may be attached and removed from the seat (3) for operating top-mounted reels (40).

Abstract: Provided is a reel seat including a cylindrical reel seat main body attached to a predetermined position of a rod main body. The reel seat main body includes fixed members 12, 13 fixed to the rod main body and including, on an upper surface, a reel leg mounting surface 5 configured to mount a reel leg, and a lower member 11 that is formed separately from the fixed members 12, 13, forms a lower region on an opposite side of the reel leg mounting surface 5, and can be detachably attached to the fixed members 12, 13 in a state where the fixed members 12, 13 are attached to the rod main body. A holding-use nut 3 is provided for holding the lower member 11 attached to the fixed members 12, 13.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and/or displaying multiple fishing reels using the reel foot of each reel to removably attach it to a reel rack. The reel rack has a generally rectangular, oblong configuration. At least one of the rack sides comprises a lateral rail defined by multiple continuous uniformly spaced rail ridges separated by intervening rail slots. Slidably attached to the rack top are at least two paired foot clamps, each of which supports a foot socket that is configured to hold one tapered end of a reel foot. Each foot clamp has two clamp arms, each of which extends downward from the base of the foot clamp and engages one of the rack sides. At least one of the clamp arms contains a spring-loaded plunger which engages the lateral rail and releasably projects into at least one of the rail slots, so as to secure the foot clamp in a fixed position along the lateral rail until the plunger is manually released.

Abstract: An improved rod and reel attachment for a fishing rod that provides an improved method for securing a reel to the rod wherein the reel is attachable to the foot on the attachment that slides through a dovetail channel and is secured thereon with a locking pin that allows for quick and secure attachment and de-attachment of a reel to a rod.

Abstract: One object is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having an efficiently reduced thickness and weight while maintaining a sufficient strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having a reduced thickness and weight while efficiently ensuring necessary strength at relevant portions, and a method of fabricating the reel leg fixing apparatus. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having an oblique end that allows weight reduction and maintains a sufficient strength.

Abstract: Described are self-tensioning reel seat ends for fishing reel seats. The described reel seats generally have a proximal end, a distal end, and a tensioning medium. The tensioning medium provides force between the proximal and distal ends of the reel seat end in order to securely seat a fishing reel in a reel seat by way of the tensioning provided by the tensioning medium. The described self-tensioning reel seat ends can be incorporated at one or both ends of a reel seat, and can be incorporated into fishing rods or poles, as well as in bows used for bow fishing.

Abstract: A spinning reel handle system that includes a seat body with a hollow, rearward extending threaded neck. The seat body includes an upper curved surface, a concave lower surface and a rear neck cavity. Formed on the seat body are longitudinally aligned bores in which a blank is extended. Formed on the seat body are front and rear slots that receive the feet on a spinning reel. The system also includes a rotating nut with a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is hollow and includes internal threads that engage the external threads on the neck. During assembly, the front and rear feet on the spinning reel are inserted into the front and rear slots. The nut is tightened onto the neck until it presses against the rear foot. The seat body includes a recessed void space that enables the fisherman to touch the blank with his thumb while gripping the seat body.

Abstract: A clamp is configured to securely attach a reel assembly to a fishing rod that is not fitted with a reel seat. The clamp has a first portion that includes a plurality of first flanges and a first concave surface, the first concave surface configured to engage a first side of the fishing rod. The clamp further has at least two second portions each including a plurality of second flanges and a second concave surface, the second concave surface configured to engage a second side of the fishing rod, the second side opposite to the first side. The clamp further has a plurality of fasteners configured to engage the plurality of first flanges and the plurality of second flanges with the first portion positioned on the first side of the fishing rod and the at least two second portions positioned on the second side of the fishing rod.

Abstract: One object is to provide a reel seat allowing reinforcement of a hood for retaining a reel leg while maintaining the appearance and restricting the increase in weight, and a fishing rod having such a reel seat. A reel seat according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed hood for retaining one end of a reel leg on the reel seat body, and a fiber-reinforced resin sheet is provided so as to extend over an outer circumference of the fixed hood and an outer circumference of the reel seat body. The reinforcement fibers may extend over the entire length of the fiber-reinforced resin sheet. The reinforcement fibers in the fiber-reinforced resin sheet extend in a direction slanted or orthogonal with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod.

Abstract: A fishing line guide includes an attachment portion, a support leg frame, a support leg portion and a guide ring portion. The support leg frame extends from a base end of the attachment portion and is integrally formed with the attachment portion. The attachment portion and the support leg frame are made of a metallic material. The support leg portion extends from the base end of the attachment portion and is composited with the support leg frame throughout the overall length of the support leg frame. The guide ring portion is located at a tip end of the support leg portion. A fishing line passes through the guide ring portion. The support leg portion and the guide ring portion are partially or wholly made of a plastic material. A sectional area of the support leg frame gradually decreases toward the tip end of the support leg frame.

Abstract: A movable hood for a reel seat has a hood portion and a nut portion. A body of a reel seat passes through the hood portion. The hood portion is movable in a longitudinal direction of the body. The nut portion is connected to the hood portion to rotate around the body and is threadedly coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the body at an inner peripheral surface. The hood portion has a base end facing the nut portion and a leading end located opposite the base end. When viewing the hood portion from side, a length of an upper side of the hood portion from the base end to the leading end is longer than a length of a lower side of the hood portion from the base end to the leading end, and an upper contour of the hood portion has an upward convex curve line.

Abstract: An improved line cutter for fishing rods is provided, comprising a reel seat having a base, wherein the base includes a trigger extending from the base. A slot is formed into the trigger, wherein the slot is adapted to accept a portion of fishing line. A blade with a cutting edge is positioned within the slot, and the cutting edge is exposed to cut the fishing line when the fishing line is pressed against the blade. An alternative design is also provided wherein the trigger is removable from the reel seat base. In the removable trigger, the entire trigger and blade assembly may be replaced, or a blade pocket inside the trigger permits retention and replacement of the blade alone.

Abstract: A reel seat for fishing rods is provided. The reel comprises a body, a sliding hood, a linkage, and a lever. The lever actuates the sliding hood to compressively secure a fishing reel to the fishing rod.

Abstract: A handle system operable in conjunction with a fishing rod and reel has an attachment section and a handle section. An arm of the attachment section is attached to a reel housing. The handle section has an upper handle that is connected to the arm and extends above the reel at an angle less than ninety degrees from the fishing rod.

Abstract: A reel seat for attaching a reel foot of a reel to a bow includes a shaft, a rear bushing, a cap, a first threaded fastener, and a second threaded fastener. The shaft has a first end and a second end, an outer surface, a first bore formed into the first end of the shaft, and a second bore formed into the second end of the shaft. The rear bushing includes a limiter portion and a receiver portion, the limiter portion being secured to the shaft and defining an increased diameter relative to the shaft to form a stop surface the receiver portion having a bore and being coaxially received over the shaft such that the receiver portion is abutted against the stop surface and rotatable about the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a fishing rod to a reel comprises a rod mount for attachment to a reel seat of a fishing pole and a first body defining a first attachment portion. A reel mount includes a rod seat for attachment to a fishing reel and a second body having a second attachment portion configured to be selectively and releasably attached to the first attachment portion of the first body. A support arm includes a retaining portion configured to be selectively and releasably attached to the reel mount. A latch is coupled to the reel mount to secure the reel mount to the rod mount and is configured for being movable from a first position where the rod mount is secured to the reel mount to a second position where the rod mount can be separated from the reel mount.

Abstract: A support device includes a body and a positioning device mounted on the body for coupling with a fishing reel. A longitudinal hole for receiving a fishing rod extends from a front end through a rear end of the body. A gripping portion is provided on the rear end and includes a coupling portion for coupling with the fishing reel. A finger of a user can grip the front section and can touch a surface section of the fishing rod via a lower opening in a front section of a lower side of the gripping portion. Another finger of the user can grip the rear section and can touch another surface section of the fishing rod via a lateral through-hole formed in a rear section of the lower side and extending from a left side through a right side of the body.

Abstract: A reel seat for fishing rods is provided. The reel comprises a body, a sliding hood, a linkage, and a lever. The lever actuates the sliding hood to compressively secure a fishing reel to the fishing rod.

Abstract: A fishing rod assembly is described. The assembly includes a butt connector that is formed to connect with and between a fishing rod and a rod butt. The butt connector also includes a reel seat formed thereon that has two posts (e.g., cylindrical extensions) protruding therefrom. Additionally, a reel foot is included for connecting with a fishing reel. Alternatively, the reel foot can be integrally formed with a fishing reel. In either event, two cutouts are formed in the reel foot to engage with the extensions of the butt connector and affix the fishing reel with the butt connector. Thus, using the reel foot and corresponding reel seat, a user can quickly and firmly attach the fishing reel with a fishing rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fishing rod adapted to increase the durability of the fishing rod and fishing line and to improve casting distance and accuracy. The fishing rod comprises an elongated cylindrical rod blank having a working end and a terminal end, wherein the working end is attached to a handle. The rod blank further comprises a plurality of fishing line guides disposed in a gradual spiral configuration along the length of the rod blank. The fishing line guides are adapted to receive a fishing line therethrough. The guides are also low profile so as to minimize snagging. When in use, the fishing line wraps around the rod blank, thereby evenly distributing the weight of the fishing line around the rod. In this way, the present invention eliminates line memory and increases the tensile strength of the rod blank and the fishing line.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed generally to an apparatus used to adjustably mount a fishing reel to the control end of a fishing rod. The fishing-reel-mounting apparatus is comprised of two main parts: (1) a rigid, light-weight, longitudinal track that is adapted to be securely and coupled to the standard reel-mounting region at the control end of a fishing rod, and (2) a sturdy, light-weight reel-carriage device that is adapted to be surely coupled at its top surface to the base of a fishing reel and is adapted to be slidably, adjustably, and lockably coupled at its lower surfaces to the longitudinal track. Among the key advantages of the fishing-reel-mounting apparatus is the ability for fishermen in the field to easily manipulate the balance of a fishing rod by allowing the adjustment of the longitudinal position of a fishing reel attached to a fishing rod.

Abstract: A device and system for propelling a watercraft through water and for fishing. The device includes a shaft that defines a first opening. A blade is coupled to a first end of the shaft, and a handle is coupled to a second end, the handle defining a second opening. A passage is in fluid communication with both the first opening and the second opening. The device may further include an extension element defining a third opening and being slidably disposed within the shaft, movable from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The system includes the device and fishing reel releasably engaged with the reel seat. Line from the reel enters the first opening, passes through the shaft, and exits from the second opening. With an extension element, line passes from the reel into the first opening, through the shaft and the extension element, and out the third opening.

Abstract: A reel seat (5) for affixing a fishing reel (80) to an archery bow (1) using a threaded fastener (16) attached to a support shaft (9). The foot (6) of the fishing reel (80) rests upon the shaft (9) and is secured between a cap (7) and a rear bushing (8). The rear bushing (8) is stationary while the cap (7) is movable along the shaft (9). Screwing a threaded fastener (23) into the shaft (9) advances the removable cap (7) towards the stationary rear bushing (8) and decreases the separation of the rear bushing (8) and the cap (7). The decreased distance results in physical forces and friction being applied to the reel foot, supporting member, and said structures. Prior to fully tightening the fastener (23), the fishing reel (80) may be placed in an infinite number of circumferential positions (90, 91, 92) with respect to the longitudinal axis (86) of the shaft (9).

Abstract: A handle for a fishing rod is provided. The handle is of multi-piece construction and comprises a reel seat for securely receiving a fishing reel of various types. Portions of the handle are secured together to selectively form a secure connection between a rod and a reel.

Abstract: An improved spinning reel seat with line cutter is provided, comprising a spinning reel seat having a base, wherein the base includes an upper grip and a mounting receptacle for attaching a line cutter; a line cutter having a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is adapted to matingly and detachably engage the mounting receptacle of the base; a slot formed into the line cutter, wherein the slot is adapted to accept a portion of fishing line; and a blade having a cutting edge, wherein the blade is positioned within the slot, and wherein the cutting edge is exposed to cut the fishing line when the fishing line is pressed against the cutting edge.

Abstract: An improved in-line reel and rod assembly has a reel body mounted to the end of a hollow rod blank with or without a handle mounted between them. The reel body is made up of a reel outer body and a reel inner body, which could be constructed as a unitary structure. The reel outer body holds the spool shaft, drag and drag knob. A spool is removable for quick access to the line and is over-sized for greater line capacity. A disc drag system provides detent micro-adjustment for the angler. The reel inner body is designed to guide the line from the reel spool into the rod blank and io to keep fishing line damage to a minimum when fighting a fish. A larger diameter spool is used to minimize line twist and holds more line. A spring bobber is integrated into the rod blank at its distal end.

Abstract: Fishing rod components and method of making and using the same are disclosed. The fishing rod components include a fishing rod reel seat with one or more removable handles. The fishing rod components also include a multi-functional anchoring device that secures a fishing rod to the ground, dock, boat, or other object. The disclosed anchoring device may include two main securing devices: a ground spike and a clamp. The ground spike is used primarily for securing a fishing rod to the ground, and the clamp is used to secure a fishing rod to a dock, boat, or numerous other objects. The ground spike and clamp may be combined into one compact unit that can either be integrated into and form a removable fishing rod handle, or be a separate unit that resides underneath a fishing rod handle during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a fishing rod to a reel comprises a rod mount for attachment to a reel seat of a fishing pole and a first body defining a first attachment portion. A reel mount includes a rod seat for attachment to a fishing reel and a second body having a second attachment portion configured to be selectively and releasably attached to the first attachment portion of the first body. A support arm includes a retaining portion configured to be selectively and releasably attached to the reel mount. A latch is coupled to the reel mount to secure the reel mount to the rod mount and is configured for being movable from a first position where the rod mount is secured to the reel mount to a second position where the rod mount can be separated from the reel mount.

Abstract: A handle system for use with a fishing rod. In one embodiment the system is attachable to a rod having a reel seat and operable in conjunction with a reel having a rotatable spool about which fishing line is wound. An attachment section attaches the reel to the handle system and attaches the handle system to the fishing rod. A handle section includes a handle about which a first hand can be placed to hold the rod while catching a fish. The handle extends in a direction away from the attachment section. A leveling system provides back and forth movement of fishing line along the reel spool when the reel is attached to the handle system and the fishing line is being wound on to the spool.

Abstract: A fishing rod assembly comprising a fishing rod (2, 12) and a fishing reel (3, 13) having a foot (4, 14) which serves to fasten the fishing reel to the fishing rod, characterized in that both the foot (4, 14) of the fishing reel (3, 13) and the fishing rod (2, 12) have respective recesses (18, 23) for jointly receiving at least one detachable fastening means (6, 25) for locating the fishing reel in position on the fishing rod.

Abstract: A fishing reel housing for attachment to a rod along a longitudinal rod axis. The housing has a shaft for accepting a central bore of a line dispensing spool and an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting the shaft in position transversely away from the rod axis while maintaining its position along the rod axis. A fishing reel comprises the reel housing with a spool with a central bore mounted thereon. A fishing apparatus comprises at least one rod having a mount to support a fishing reel thereon with the reel mounted on thereon. A kit comprises the reel housing and at least one line dispensing spool having a central bore for mounting on the shaft of the fishing reel housing and may comprise one or more rods, lines and/or lures.

Abstract: This improvement to the standard reel clamp for a fishing reel is manufactured with nuts that are self-contained with the aid of a collar on each end of the nut. The collars keep the nuts from being lost during the process of storage and ease the installation of reels on the fishing rod. The nuts can be loosened to remove and attach fishing reels, but because the flanges at the ends of the nuts are larger than the nuts themselves, they will not fall out of or get lost from the reel clamp.

Abstract: A hiking and fishing system is described. The hiking and fishing system generally comprises a staff including a staff handle into which at least a portion of a fishing rod may be inserted into a staff cavity. When the fishing rod is inserted into and enclosed by the staff cavity, the hiking and fishing system may function as a hiking staff or stick. Further, the fishing rod is substantially protected by the staff and staff handle. When the fishing rod is removed from the staff cavity and attached to the staff end, and a fishing reel is detachably engaged to the reel mount, the hiking and fishing system may function as a fishing rod.

Abstract: In a fishing rod having a hand grip and a reel clamped to and held above the rod, the improvement wherein there is provided between the rod and the clamp on the underside of the rod a unitary piece having an elongate central section free of lateral protuberances which is laterally curved to essentially match the curvature of the fishing rod, aligned with the elongate central section at one end and integral therewith a curved finger grip terminating in a free distal end, and also aligned with the elongate central section at its opposite end and integral therewith a projection having an opening therein adapted to receive the hook portion of fishing hook.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of Ihe invention is a fishing reel seat including a reel mounting mechanism having a longitudinal axis configured for firmly attaching a fishing reel, and a reel mount receiving portion, wherein the reel mounting mechanism is configured to move in a substantially longitudinal direction with respect to the reel mount receiving portion in response to an externally generated force. The force measurement device includes a sensor configured to produce a response, in operational mode, indicative of the externally generated force based in the movement of the reel mounting mechanism with respect to the reel mount receiving portion.

Abstract: A fishing rod assembly is described. The assembly includes a butt connector that is formed to connect with and between a fishing rod and a rod butt. The butt connector also includes a reel seat formed thereon that has two posts (e.g., cylindrical extensions) protruding therefrom. Additionally, a reel foot is included for connecting with a fishing reel. Alternatively, the reel foot can be integrally formed with a fishing reel. In either event, two cutouts are formed in the reel foot to engage with the extensions of the butt connector and affix the fishing reel with the butt connector. Thus, using the reel foot and corresponding reel seat, a user can quickly and firmly attach the fishing reel with a fishing rod.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a reel seat kit and method of use which allows a particular rod to be modified to accept a plurality of reels, and wherein reproducible and predictable rod action may be achieved via judicious placement of a particular reel in relationship to the rod.

Abstract: The combination of a fishing reel support, a fishing reel, and a security assembly. The fishing reel support has a graspable body with a fishing reel mounting assembly. The fishing reel has a frame with an operating mechanism on the frame. The frame has a mounting stem and a mounting foot including first and second foot portions projecting generally oppositely away from the mounting stem. The security assembly prevents the fishing reel from being separated from the fishing reel support. The security assembly consists of first and second strap components that are joined to each other. A first foot portion is captive between the first strap component and the fishing reel support, with the second foot portion captive between the second strap component and the fishing reel support. The security assembly has a secured state and cooperates with the fishing reel support so that the fishing reel and security assembly cannot be separated from the fishing reel support with the security assembly in the secured state.

Abstract: A rod and reel, wherein the reel has a body portion and a foot portion, is described herein. The foot portion defines an orifice. A reel seat has a first end and a second end. The reel seat defines a receptacle for receiving the foot portion of the reel on a top side of the reel seat. The reel seat defines at least one orifice on a lower side. A rod has a base end that is received within the first end of the reel seat. A handle portion is affixed to the second end of the reel seat. A zip tie surrounds the real seat and passes secures the foot portion of the reel to the real seat, e.g., the zip tie may pass through the orifice on the foot portion and through the orifice on the lower side of the reel seat.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a fishing reel includes a reel frame for supporting a line spool with a spool rotation axis, the line spool rotatably mounted one the reel frame. A reel foot is adapted for mounting to a fishing rod, wherein the reel foot is attached to the frame. A force measurement device is configured to produce a response indicative of a line tension force.

Abstract: A fishing rod including a pipe-shaped frame, a reel seat provided on an outer peripheral surface of the frame, a cylindrical front grip spirally attached to a front end of the reel seat, a rod inserted into a front end of the pipe-shaped frame, wherein the front grip is screwed into the reel seat side, to thereby make a hood on a back end of the front grip engage with a reel on the reel seat so as to fix the reel thereon, and wherein a front portion of the front grip is internally supported with the front grip being screwed into the reel seat side. This enables to prevent the rod and the front grip from becoming eccentric to each other.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a reel seat kit and method of use which allows a particular rod to be modified to accept a plurality of reels, and wherein reproducible and predictable rod action may be achieved via judicious placement of a particular reel in relationship to the rod.

Abstract: An electronic marker device affixes a fishing rod to a fishing reel. The device includes a marker housing having a base and a cover to wrap around an arm of a fishing reel and enclose a foot of the reel and a rod of a fishing rod thereby preventing removal of the fishing reel from the fishing rod. The marker housing also supports an electronic marker so as to deter unauthorized removal of the rod and reel combination. The marker may be preferably an electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a reel seat kit and method of use which allows a particular rod to be modified to accept a plurality of reels, and wherein reproducible and predictable rod action may be achieved via judicious placement of a particular reel in relationship to the rod.