No, can't say as I do............ (if I can remember, I'll give it a try the next time I'm carpin').
Grips you like and don’t like..
- Thread starter Wetswinger
- Start date
Echoing Buzzy and Skyriver, I have relatively big hands, and some hand issues, so with the last rod that I put together I made a big chunky full wells grip for it - and it is great. I’ll add a picture later.
For me, most commercial grips feel too thin these days, especially on low weight rods.
I am thinking about trying to find some good cork tape to make the grips on my other rods fatter. I have used bike handlebar tape before and it works ok, but not perfect. Anyone with any other ideas on what might work, I am listening.
For me, most commercial grips feel too thin these days, especially on low weight rods.
I am thinking about trying to find some good cork tape to make the grips on my other rods fatter. I have used bike handlebar tape before and it works ok, but not perfect. Anyone with any other ideas on what might work, I am listening.
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I didn't know all the names of the grips either, and in my research there was a guy talking about how tennis elbow could be averted with big handed folks (I am one of those too) by having larger grips (on tennis rackets) to fit. Makes me wonder if my chronic tennis elbow could have been prevented. He also had some recommendations for gripping the grip.
flyfishcircle.com
Rod handles, your grip, and their relation to injuries • FlyFish Circle
The science behind fly fishing grips and their link to injuries. Learn the difference between thumb-on-top and index-finger-on-top techniques.
flyfishcircle.com
Inconceivable!!
you guys are really going to be blown away by this:
I don't like graphite rods either....
back to our regularly scheduled grip talk....
I am surprised at the number of folks that have a preference. I am middle aged, normalish sized hands (see below) and no current medical issues like arthritis and truly have no preference.
I feel like this thread is going to start me down path of noticing and hating 2/3rds of the grips on my current rods.
I will say that all of you right hand casters/right hand reelers are super weird though
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I feel like this thread is going to start me down path of noticing and hating 2/3rds of the grips on my current rods.
I will say that all of you right hand casters/right hand reelers are super weird though
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Porter2
Legend
“I love the feel of a cork grip in the morning. You know one time we had a piece of river for 12 hours. When it was all over , my cork was soiled”
Full wells is my favorite
I do like the snub nose of more recent rods for 5 weights and under ….made by sage and others.
The Fenwick grip as it is called is also good imho.
Regarding Sage cork grips the earlier models had really good cork/quality. Not so sure about today’s rods. Delgado cork is supposedly the best? Dense and of little voids. Used by Nam rods. And maybe some others???
Full wells is my favorite
I do like the snub nose of more recent rods for 5 weights and under ….made by sage and others.
The Fenwick grip as it is called is also good imho.
Regarding Sage cork grips the earlier models had really good cork/quality. Not so sure about today’s rods. Delgado cork is supposedly the best? Dense and of little voids. Used by Nam rods. And maybe some others???
Randy it’s interesting you say that. I’ve done a fair amount of saltwater deep jigging over wrecks and casting large poppers to breaking tuna. My rods of choice are primarily JDM rods made by Smith Ltd in Japan. They use an EVA foam with a density composition designed for the rods use. That is, rods designed for big pullage have a heavier density composition than rods for inshore pullage. They are so damn comfortable to grip, not slippery at all, and I’ve never had a hand cramp up. Fighting Roosters on rods with cork grips, you bet I have. Sounds like your tennis wrap for the grip is in line with the EVA.
I think the tradition of cork on fly rods, whether good or bad, is just that, tradition. The uproar of a decent fly rod with an EVA foam grip probably could be heard from the River Test to the Deschutes. I doubt I’ll ever have another rod built but if I do I might go that route if it’s for the salt.
I willing to bet that @DimeBrite has crossed paths in his travels with fly rods w EVA grips. Probably those crazy South African combat fisher persons use them.
Good call out! We know you’re not a basic traditionalist, being a Capr Specialist.
Did anyone ever fish one of the Redington Vapen red rods with the Winn golf grip?
That might have been a good alternative to cork but it never seemed to take off.
SF
That might have been a good alternative to cork but it never seemed to take off.
SF
That's partly why I started trying it. Once I wrapped my first one, I liked it so much I did almost all of my rods that I use regularly. What I don't know, however, is what it will do to the cork underneath long term. I did re-wrap my Epic Bandit last year (after ~4 years with the tennis wrap) and the cork looked brand new but I still don't really know.
Let's not get too crazy here, I've only been getting after them seriously for the last handful of years....
....But they've certainly cut into my tiger musky fishing by a lot!Of note, Chippewa River musky rods use the winn style grips on some of their rods. Midwest musky guys swear by those rods (not necessarily because of the grips though).
Dan @Wetswinger - since you brought this subject up, what rods are on your bench or waiting to be built? Any "capr" fiberglass 8 weights in the mix?
I have nothing going until Fall. I’ve ordered some 6# and a 5# from NFC. I’m building myself a birthday present (71) this week. A Graywolf 8’6”, 5# made from S2 fiberglass..
I was thinking about a birthday present to myself (77 next week)...... That dang Randy @clarkman and his dissin' graphite and all.........I thought it would be fun to fish a good glass rod (with a thickened grip, cork or not cork) for caprs.
I had a rod with an EVA foam grip back in the last century. Was slightly softer than cork and felt quite nice in the hand. I would definitely consider another grip like that over cork, even on a decent fly rod.
I have some ideas....
I was sorta hoping that Hobby Builder Extraordinaire Dan @Wetswinger might have an weight glass build going.... ;-)I have some ideas....