Ray S ECenFL
Silver Member
Some time ago, I tried to pack my Whites XLT into a back pack to take it on a hiking trip. The bottom rod would not fit into the back pack due to the length. I did manage to get it in the pack but it was rather awkward. After giving this some thought, I called Whites and explained the situation to them and asked if it was possible to get a two piece bottom rod. The gentleman that I spoke to said they have something that might work and would I care if it was a bit scratched up? Told him no, a few scratches did not matter and asked him what the cost would be. He said no charge. Gee, they even paid to ship it to me. I was very impressed!
Several days later the rod arrived. It was tow pieces and it does fit the XLT fine. As the gentleman from Whites mentioned on the telephone to me, the rod is a bit longer than the standard rod when assembled. The few inches of length, about 3 inches, does not appear to be a problem and I can probably get used to the new length. As for the scratches mentioned, I can barely see any.
The two piece rod assembly has a larger diameter then the rod that comes with he XLT. The upper piece of the two piece rod assembly has a smaller length at it's mating end that is small enough to fit into the locking piece of the middle rod of the XLT and latch to the bottom hole of the middle rod assembly. It can not go any higher than the bottom hole because of the way it is made.
There appears to be enough room in the top section of the upper rod ( of the two piece rod assembly) to add another hole to shorten the length by at least another 1 1/2 to 2 inches. I may attempt to modify it later if the added length proves to be a problem or I may modify the bottom half of the two piece rod since it appears to be the easier of the two to modify, if needed. ( I will only attempt to do this if it is too uncomfortable to use)
I was very impressed with the help I was given by Whites and just wanted to pass along my experience.
Whites should make the bottom rod assembly of their DFX and XLT into a two piece unit. It would add a larger range of adjustability if it was constructed without the limitation mentioned above.
Happy Hunting
Ray S
Several days later the rod arrived. It was tow pieces and it does fit the XLT fine. As the gentleman from Whites mentioned on the telephone to me, the rod is a bit longer than the standard rod when assembled. The few inches of length, about 3 inches, does not appear to be a problem and I can probably get used to the new length. As for the scratches mentioned, I can barely see any.
The two piece rod assembly has a larger diameter then the rod that comes with he XLT. The upper piece of the two piece rod assembly has a smaller length at it's mating end that is small enough to fit into the locking piece of the middle rod of the XLT and latch to the bottom hole of the middle rod assembly. It can not go any higher than the bottom hole because of the way it is made.
There appears to be enough room in the top section of the upper rod ( of the two piece rod assembly) to add another hole to shorten the length by at least another 1 1/2 to 2 inches. I may attempt to modify it later if the added length proves to be a problem or I may modify the bottom half of the two piece rod since it appears to be the easier of the two to modify, if needed. ( I will only attempt to do this if it is too uncomfortable to use)
I was very impressed with the help I was given by Whites and just wanted to pass along my experience.
Whites should make the bottom rod assembly of their DFX and XLT into a two piece unit. It would add a larger range of adjustability if it was constructed without the limitation mentioned above.
Happy Hunting
Ray S
