Hi, can i use 8.5 inch 3 rod bars without folding my reel handles, big pit reels. Thanks.

In reply to Post #1
I very much doubt it as thats very narrow for 3 rods with handles not folded.

It depends how big your reels are, but if they are not huge then they will fit. I use a 7” rear bar and 3 x 5000T fit without folding any handles. Snug, but they fit.

Just measure the width of a reel from the tip of the handle to the widest part on the opposite side, times it by two and if the answer comes to more than 8.5", then you will need to fold handles, or else put up with a snug fit with handles overlapping reels or buy a very wide front bar and angle your rods outwards and hope the reels will fit. Basically, if your reels are more than 4.25", then there will be overlap.

I use an 11.5" rear bar with Sonik 6000 Tourno's, they are not that big a reel but the handles just overlap but no need to fold the handles.

Here is another line of thought ,plus some observations..

I notice when I have seen other anglers set ups ,especially big pit reels ,the handles are set lower than the reels body...my observations, but if ,like I do the reels handle is set above the reels body on standard and slightly narrow buzz bars ,when you lift the rod for a take the other reels won't be whacked or hit..

And ....why ,oh why ...do people ,have the reels so closely set ,the actual bodies ,touch, and I mean properly set close with folded handles ..

Surely ...repeated opening,closing ,unfolding of a reel handle over time is not too clever, unnecessary wear to the handle ,I don't know ..

Each to their own ,and a woke follow up ,but it's silly doesn't look good anyway ,but some people think it does...looks over function..

In reply to Post #3
The handles must sit under the body of the reels to get 3 reels on a 7 inch bar.

In reply to Post #5
Never understood why people fold there handles, looks **** and totally pointless.