Jump to content

What kind of GRIP do you prefer for your rods?


rbaquial

Recommended Posts

Hey Folks,

 

Just wanted to ask a quick question regarding the type of GRIP you most prefer on your FISHING ROD(s)... either FOAM or CORK.

 

At 1st, I personally didn't care for the type of grip; But predominantly found myself using FOAM when 1st started getting into fishing.

Now that I've made the switch over to CORK, I find it hard to switch back to FOAM. Though, I don't know why?

 

So, here's my question...

 

WHAT TYPE OF GRIP [FOAM or CORK] DO YOU PREFER? and WHY?

 

Is there something I'm missing in understanding both the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of CORK Vs. FOAM? Is one preferred over

the other in certain scenarios?

 

Where are the PRO's when ya need them! JP! DAVE! Drop the rod!! hahaha.. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard once many moons ago that cork is warmer in the winter and cooler to the touch in the summer. That's two tumbs up for me. Then again look at the new Rapala rods and the high end shimano or diawa rods and they have foam go figure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cork has always been my preference. However, the quality of cork and the craftsmanship can very quite a bit even in many brand name rods.

 

Cork is becoming harder to come by... just ask the people involved with wine making.

 

Some of the high end rods now have "foam" grips again... lighter, more sensitive blah blah blah... They may be better, but I just don't like 'em.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a new synthetic material that is very similar to cork. I would say that it is almost exactly the same as cork and may even be better than cork in the fact that cork comes in various grades while this new material only comes in one grade. It's probably more expensive than cork for now but I guess the future will dictate if cork will still be as common as it is now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently there is a world wide shortage of cork. I'm not sure how long you will be able to buy a cork handled rod without paying a serious premium. Damn wine drinkers anyways...

 

I've been told this as well. Apparently it takes 30-40 years for a tree to produce the cork from the time of planting to harvest...Lots of things can go bad in that time.

 

I bought a bunch of premium cork rings for $1.10 each when I first started building rods...Now it's around $2.25 per ring depending on where you order them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have used both and personally find having any extra handle on rods a bit useless. With my Loomis rods they are all cork but the Cumara rods had foam... I liked both and couldn't say one was better than the other with the exception of the fact that with lower grade cork there is a lot of filler which is typically made up of glue and cork dust and after time in the sun, normal wear and tear and getting wet the filler starts falling out and leaving quite ugly gashes in the handle. The High density EVA foam seemed much more durable for what I put them through. Plus they never look dirty!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't find too much of a preference, but since I got a rod that used EVA foam this year, I would say I like foam :P The matte black really brings out the other colours of the rod

Just like cork, there are different grades for foam...

 

And from the responses above, it looks like you guys probably only tried the foam on the very lowest end of the spectrum. Those ones really are mushy, and I'm not too fond of them either. The ones in the higher end stay matte, and keep their shape very well.

 

My rod used a mediocre foam, and went glossy within a couple months of hard use, but once again....Sanding the foam turns it right back into its original condition.

Edited by EC1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to think that cork was the only way to go. Then i got a couple of orange things and a Cumara that both use the foam. I could not tell you what I like better. For sure not the low end squishy stuff. All I can say is I want as little as possible, I like to feel my rod when it's in my hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

im with jp on that one .. i like'em both but i hate when the cork cracks and starts fallin apart.. and well the foam is nice too on the cumaras and the e21's but i find the foam on my carrot stick to be a little too soft and some what slippery.. but i guess that just adds to the fun when fighting big bad smallies..

 

 

 

both are nice, and well its a personal preference.. foam can be nice on some rods.. (cumara's , r-types, ect..) but as well cork can suck on some rods..

Edited by fish-miester
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recent Topics

    Popular Topics

    Upcoming Events


×
×
  • Create New...