Cork or foam rod handle? 2024

gimruis reply :

So I've noticed gradually over time there seems to be a gradual shift from full cork handles to partial cork handles or foam handles to partial foam handles. What is your preference and why?

EvanT123 reply :

Cork. Full or split doesn't matter. Though I would like to try graphite tube. One of the reasons you might see more eva handles is cork; good cork is not cheap.

fishnkamp reply :

The main reason rod companies have gone away from full cork handles is that quality cork has gotten more expensive. The rod companies also keep inventing rod blanks that are more advanced in technology. These rod blanks are lighter and more sensitive and they match up really well with the lighter weight split cork and eva foam grips.. Now, the newest trick item comes from a company called Winn. Winn made its mark in golf club grips. Their material is super lightweight and has almost the same tacky feeling that their golf grips have. I had my friend Tom customize my 2 G Loomis spinning rods with a new style Aero comfort reel seat and these new grips. The weight of the rod decreased and the comfort fishing that rod is amazing. I chose the "natural" toned grips which are cork colored and have a fancy pattern in them. They also offer a bunch of colored grips (red, green, blue,orange etc.) which means you could match a rod blank color or pick say a black or graphite colored blank and then a red set of handles, red thread and red colored checks (the round rings used at the front or back on a split grip) The list of options to customize a rod with grows quickly. All of the rods in these pictures were built by my friend Tom. The rods in the second picture all belong to another friend of mine. He likes to get creative with his equipment. He had Tom build rods using some purple, some blue, some green and also some red colored blanks The third picture shows my finished spinning rod. I really love to fish with this rod now. We changed it because the reel seat was giving me some trouble and before it broke I thought it would be wise to just replace it. Man am I glad I did. That rod originally came with a full cork handle and a typical straight- all plastic reel seat. Now it weighs less and feels terrific in my hand.

Montanaro reply :

Honestly

Taking care of cork is a hassle.

BiteFiend reply :

Like fishnkamp, I also prefer the Winn grips. Super comfortable and lightweight.

trick worms reply :

Never used Winn grips but I like cork over foam

tstraub reply :

I used to think that I didn't care what type of handle was on a rod if the deal was right either was fine. A few weeks ago I picked up an older St Croix legend for an insanely low price ($10) the minute I touched that full cork grip I feel in love. That rod is 20 years old and the cork still looks and feels better than any new rod I've ever owned. The only damage on it is where the previous owner used the for grip as a hook keeper.

EVA or cheap cork is still OK for the price but there is something about quality cork that just feels right.

Nathan Burton reply :

First choice: Winn

Second Choice: Cork

Third Choice: Eva foam

Evan K reply :

I too used to think my preference for cork was just aesthetic until I bought a Daiwa Zillion rod with split EVA grips. I could not get comfortable using the foam grip. It wasn't nearly as firm as cork and I really like that firm grip. I had to sell the rod, it just bugged me every time I used it.

Never used Winn grips but I'm not ruling them out, they look nice.

thebillsman reply :

Full cork preferred, split grip is fine, foam no thanks.

S. Sass reply :

Cork. Full or split doesn't matter to me but I'm old and like my cork.

WIGuide reply :

I prefer a split grip, but I'm not that picky about material used. If I had a choice, I'd go with cork because I like how it looks even when it gets weathered. Xtreme skin is pretty sweet too.

tholmes reply :

I have rods that have both split and full grips in EVA and cork. While I prefer full cork grips. split grips and/or EVA grips aren't a deal breaker.

Tom

*Hootie reply :

#1:..cork.

#2:..cork.

#3:..cork.

Hootie

flyfisher reply :

I'll take a foam or synthetic grip over cork. The only rods i have that use cork are my fly rods.

kickerfish1 reply :

Foam or cork is fine with me as long as it is high quality stuff. Both can pit or chip and show signs of wear. Both materials are used from the cheapest of rods to the most expensive.

MIbassyaker reply :

Prefer cork, am ok with foam. I actually really like the Fenwick rubberized cork. I like the look of split grips over full, but honestly don't feel any performance difference.

BUT...I hate, hate, hate, HATE bright colors on rods. So no red/green/purple/blue/orange/whatever eva or Winn grips for me, thanks.

Tracker22 reply :

+1 winn

Bluebasser86 reply :

I like foam, it's more comfortable to me. For some reason, if I fish with cork handles a lot it dries my hands out really bad to the point the start cracking and bleeding. Not very manly feeling when you have to stop fishing to put hand lotion on.

*Hootie reply :

On 7/16/2016 at 3:57 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I like foam, it's more comfortable to me. For some reason, if I fish with cork handles a lot it dries my hands out really bad to the point the start cracking and bleeding. Not very manly feeling when you have to stop fishing to put hand lotion on.

Nothing more manly than a police officer, no matter what he's doing. God bless you and all your fellow officers Bluebasser.

Hootie

MickD reply :

If you want to see what Winn grips feel like without a total rebuild just buy their Winn wrap and put it on an existing grip. You most likely will love it functionally. If you are in love with cork because it is traditional, that's fine, but functionally, Winn is great. The Winns will get dirtly, like cork, and their web site has instructions for cleaning it wiithout destroying the tackiness. One caution, the Winn grips may be damaged by Deet,as will just about anything other than cork. You also have to be careful when reaming the longer Winn grips, as another poster recently mentioned.

But don't just write Winn off as a meaningless marketing trend. The grips have definite advantages that far outweigh their possible shortcomings, in my opinion.

Deansey reply :

On 7/14/2016 at 11:00 AM, fishnkamp said:

The main reason rod companies have gone away from full cork handles is that quality cork has gotten more expensive. The rod companies also keep inventing rod blanks that are more advanced in technology. These rod blanks are lighter and more sensitive and they match up really well with the lighter weight split cork and eva foam grips.. Now, the newest trick item comes from a company called Winn. Winn made its mark in golf club grips. Their material is super lightweight and has almost the same tacky feeling that their golf grips have. I had my friend Tom customize my 2 G Loomis spinning rods with a new style Aero comfort reel seat and these new grips. The weight of the rod decreased and the comfort fishing that rod is amazing. I chose the "natural" toned grips which are cork colored and have a fancy pattern in them. They also offer a bunch of colored grips (red, green, blue,orange etc.) which means you could match a rod blank color or pick say a black or graphite colored blank and then a red set of handles, red thread and red colored checks (the round rings used at the front or back on a split grip) The list of options to customize a rod with grows quickly. All of the rods in these pictures were built by my friend Tom. The rods in the second picture all belong to another friend of mine. He likes to get creative with his equipment. He had Tom build rods using some purple, some blue, some green and also some red colored blanks The third picture shows my finished spinning rod. I really love to fish with this rod now. We changed it because the reel seat was giving me some trouble and before it broke I thought it would be wise to just replace it. Man am I glad I did. That rod originally came with a full cork handle and a typical straight- all plastic reel seat. Now it weighs less and feels terrific in my hand.

those cork colored ones look great man. I might actually have to try those out since i really dislike holding and looking down at squishy, black, EVA. What would you compare the feel to? I used to have winn grips on a set of gold clubs when I was a child, and even then I remember them feeling much more like a soft rubber tennis racquet grip than the higher density rubber you see on most golf clubs. Although theres much less friction on a grip when you cast a rod versus when you swing a golf club, even as a little kid those things wore down very fast.

fishnkamp reply :

To me they feel like good cork with a slight tackiness but I think too much is made of that. The colored ones are now being installed on Lews rods, Castaway Rods, Kistler Rods and Hammer Rods, so if you can find a dealer near you maybe you can put one in your hand. My friend Bryan must have a dozen rods with the grips on them and loves them. It does look cool to see a picture of his front deck with all of the colored rods on it.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

EVA comes varying firmness. Good EVA is not squishy at all. Shape has more to do with comfort than material does IMO.

Deansey reply :

On 7/17/2016 at 9:36 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

EVA comes varying firmness. Good EVA is not squishy at all. Shape has more to do with comfort than material does IMO.

well, after you finish up that TN handle rod for me I'm never going back to EVA for freshwater again.

Mike L reply :

I don't care, don't have a preference either way.

There is more important aspects to a rod for me than what the handle s made of.

Mike

WPCfishing reply :

I was a narrow minded cork or pass for years. These days s quality Rod will have quality EVA which I've developed a liking for. I also like the Winn grip on my Lews HM85 rod.

My next purchase will be another Lews HM85. The Winn grip is super comfortable.

1201vilbig reply :

I also was impressed with the Winn Grips when I visited their booth at the FLW Cup in Hot Springs. They referred me to the Russ Lane video on YouTube to see how easy it was to retro-fit. I didn't want to take the chance on an expensive rod, so I gambled the $20.00 for the grips on a Lightning Rod I had laying around. Took about 30 minutes. Now it is by far the most comfortable rod to use I own. My All Star WR1's & 2's will be next.

Fishinthefish reply :

I almost exclusively use split grip cork. I understand that eva is lighter and not that much less comfortable but when I'm using a light weight rig, it makes no sense to me to add weight to the back to balance a 50 size reel that only weighs 5oz and change. Unfortunately I can't fish with full handles at all, it's very uncomfortable to me.

jitterbug127 reply :

I like cork, but not too picky. Longer handles are Where the party is at though

Hez reply :

On 7/20/2016 at 2:19 AM, jitterbug127 said:

Longer handles are Where the party is at though

Just curious as to why - they are definitely less comfortable than the pistol grip.

jitterbug127 reply :

On 7/20/2016 at 2:25 AM, hezeez@gmail.com said:

Just curious as to why - they are definitely less comfortable than the pistol grip.

Just personal preference I guess. I feel like part of rod is missing on pistol grips

J Francho reply :

Foam, cork, full, split... there's no right answer for me, but I know the when I pick up the wrong answer. In other words, it just has not be annoying in my hand, and I'm good.

Hez reply :

On 7/20/2016 at 2:29 AM, jitterbug127 said:

Just personal preference I guess. I feel like part of rod is missing on pistol grips

Ok - thanks - was just wondering if there was a specific advantage to the long handled rods. I see people using the butt of the long handle on casts, but that doesn't work well for me. I get my best casts with a baseball type maneuver and just 1 handed.

J Francho reply :

On 7/20/2016 at 2:46 AM, hezeez@gmail.com said:

Ok - thanks - was just wondering if there was a specific advantage to the long handled rods.

I have to make every cast like this, after a bout with tendonitis in my shoulder, a few years ago. Now, I don't even think about a cast without my left hand on the bottom grip. Takes all the stress out of my right shoulder, and requires less energy. I used to love my pistol grips, but I probably wouldn't like them now.

Hez reply :

On 7/20/2016 at 2:49 AM, J Francho said:

I have to make every cast like this, after a bout with tendonitis in my shoulder, a few years ago. Now, I don't even think about a cast without my left hand on the bottom grip. Takes all the stress out of my right shoulder, and requires less energy. I used to love my pistol grips, but I probably wouldn't like them now.

Totally understand now - makes perfect sense. Thank you for the explanation.

jitterbug127 reply :

I always use my left hand on the rod too.

JROD_fishing reply :

I've switched on and off from EVA and cork, but recently the grip I have come to like and WILL stick with is Winn Grips. I build my own rods so I buy there handles but you can buy tape to wrap over your cork or EVA handles on rods you already have. Winn makes handles for golf clubs and now make grips for fishing rods and WOW they are comfortable!

Rick Howard reply :

Hopefully those win grips last longer than their golf grips. Replaced many of win grips in my day.

I prefer cork but some foam is okay so long as it's not too sponge.

RafaelM reply :

I prefer cork

OCdockskipper reply :

I have never liked the feel of cork, but I know I am in the minority. It may be memories of older, cheaper rods with cheap cork handles that always felt slippery. I got used to foam and now it just feels comfortable.

The bait monkey has been whispering "Winn grips" in my ear recently...

Bankbeater reply :

Full foam, then full cork. I don't care much for the split grip.

AriAngler reply :

Cork rods suck in my opinion. I rather use EVA, however nothing beat Winn grip handles!

Turkey sandwich reply :

I don't think there's any right answer. To me, cork just feels better. I also have different preferences, I guess, for different techniques. If you look at my kayak, you'll see a little of everything except Winn grips. It isn't that I don't like them, so much that I've just never fished them.

Columbia Craw reply :

I am a traditionalist and it's cork, full rear grip if I can get it except my Extreme HP's. The handles on split grips are too short for my hands (except HP's.). Cork has become extremely expensive and the wine industry is buying it up at an alarming rate. There will be a time when cork will rarely be seen on a fishing rod. I do not care for Hypalon/EVA. It's Okay on my Furys but cork is my thing.

PatrickKnight reply :

Personally I will always go with a full cork handle if the option is there. The Avid line is one if my favorite rods ever and alot of the reason is I just find that handle so comfortable, same with the Elites.

LxVE Bassin reply :

I have Winn, cork, and foam in my arsenal. I really don't have a preference.

S Hovanec reply :

On 7/14/2016 at 10:25 AM, EvanT123 said:

good cork is not cheap.

even bad cork isn't cheap!

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

I'm palming the reel or holding the seat or trigger. In any case little contact is actually sustained with the grip material. The shape, fit and aesthetics are where it's at for me.

S Hovanec reply :

My preference is full cork with no foregrip, however my favorite rods have a split Tennessee grip.

fishindad reply :

Put me in the traditionalist category as well. I prefer full cork, then split grip cork. I have tried but don't like EVA foam.

Never tried the Winn grips but have golfed since I was a teen and can envision myself liking them on my rod handles, certainly as much as cork but hopefully not so much more that I'd want to replace my entire arsenal with Winn grips.

Djohn reply :

Cork for me but i find foam gives me a better grip when it's wet.

Scrapiron reply :

I have sold all my EVA / foam rods- I have one Winn grip rod and it's awesome. I've been moving to full handle cork.

r83srock reply :

I've had both foam and cork. Have had a lot of full handle cork St. Croix rods. My latest rod is a Vendetta with a cutout in the foam handle for your palm, I'm liking it a lot, so I may be buying more at some point. I haven't found a difference in feel or sensitivity between foam and cork, but I do notice it from full handle to split grip. I am finding the less material on the handle the better, as long as the rod remains balanced.

3crows reply :

No preference but the EVA/foam stays looking better longer than cork and is overall more attractive (to me). I guess the grip material is not a huge factor. More concerned with the purpose, action, overall quality and point of manufacture.

Wally Master reply :

Seems like many here like the cork. Someone recommended soaking the cork. I've never tried it, but apparently cork soaking is a big thing in some circles. How many of you are cork soakers? I'll bet more bass fishermen soak cork than walleye fishermen.

Funny thing, my wife likes to soak the cork. As soon as she gets her hands on my rod she wants to soak it. Sometimes I help her hold it because it's a heavy rod with fast action. - AND it's full cork. She asks for my rod all the time and wants to soak it.

NOC 1 reply :

On 7/15/2016 at 2:53 AM, MIbassyaker said:

Prefer cork, am ok with foam. I actually really like the Fenwick rubberized cork. I like the look of split grips over full, but honestly don't feel any performance difference.

BUT...I hate, hate, hate, HATE bright colors on rods. So no red/green/purple/blue/orange/whatever eva or Winn grips for me, thanks.

My opinion is similar to yours with the exception that I do see a big performance of split grips and full grips. Not in the sense that one is always superior to the other but in the way that a given rod balances. In my opinion a long heavier rod is much better with a full cork grip because I might not have to use such a heavy reel to balance it. But on the other hand a light 6'6" rod let's say, might be better with split grip if I want to mount something other that a STEEZ or the like.

I know that you can add weight to any rod to balance it, but it's kind of nice not having to.

On 9/3/2017 at 11:28 PM, 3crows said:

No preference but the EVA/foam stays looking better longer than cork and is overall more attractive (to me). I guess the grip material is not a huge factor. More concerned with the purpose, action, overall quality and point of manufacture.

My experience is that if the cork is a good grade of cork, without cracks and filler, if you treat the cork with something like U-40, and then keep it clean, cork will stay looking good for many decades. The foam on the other hand will most likely become brittle and turn to powder.

You have to start with good cork though.

GreenPig reply :

On 7/16/2016 at 3:57 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I like foam, it's more comfortable to me. For some reason, if I fish with cork handles a lot it dries my hands out really bad to the point the start cracking and bleeding. Not very manly feeling when you have to stop fishing to put hand lotion on.

You just need to moisturize your cork the night before fishing while you're putting on line conditioner.

dodgeguy reply :

winn grips are awesome. cork is next and foam is third. i haverods with all 3.

NYWayfarer reply :

On 11/17/2019 at 11:10 PM, dodgeguy said:

winn grips are awesome. cork is next and foam is third. i haverods with all 3.

Those would be my choices as well in that order.

I would add that I prefer my Winn Grips in black. Any other color will eventually show dirt. I clean mine with Dawn dish detergent to keep them looking new as long as I can.

I prefer to seal my cork handle with cork sealer.

All EVA foam is not the same. I have rods with cheap foam and others with a higher quality denser foam that feels firm to the touch.

Yumeya reply :

I like cork, full or split.

I do however like how a full grip looks.

Use U-40 on all my rods and they stay nice and easy to clean.

The only rod I have with EVA is my TUCR Bullwhip, Its a sweet rod for ice fishing.

2292

Cork or foam rod handle? 2024

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