Winn Grips or Cork? What do you prefer? 2024

BigBass'n_Harrison reply :

Hi,

Looking at getting a custom rod done, 7' MH/F. Can't decide on Winn or Full cork... if I get Winn I don't know if I want split or full yet, but if I get cork then it will definitely be full. If technique will help with your decision, it'll be for t rigs/jigs/spinnerbaits/chatterbaits. Just an all around rod.

-Harrison

A-Jay reply :

What do I prefer?

Well, if you're getting the rod for me, I like St Croix Xtreme-Skin Handles.

Otherwise, get what you like.

A-Jay

Stephen B reply :

I'd get Winn grips unless its high end cork like AA or better grade Portuguese cork

LCG reply :

I just picked up two rods with Winn grips and have yet to fish them but they feel great. Like cork but the Winn grips are very very comfortable.

jbsoonerfan reply :

I went from cork full, to eva, to eva split and then the winn split. These aren't the most sensitive rods I have ever used, but I LOVE the grips.

OCdockskipper reply :

My favorite rod is a new Carbonlite with the Winn grips.

WRB reply :

Premium cork is hard to beat, easy to clean. You can always add Wynn Grips.

Tom

CrankFate reply :

I think I like EVA when it’s the right texture. The rougher, harder, larger cell type foam.

bowhunter63 reply :

Always liked cork but got a carbon light rod with Winn grips,Love it.

Fishin Dad reply :

I prefer Winn grips or Eva. Not a fan of cork.

1201vilbig reply :

On 3/21/2019 at 9:01 AM, WRB said:

Premium cork is hard to beat, easy to clean. You can always add Wynn Grips.

Tom

Exactly what I did to my All Star WR1's. The cork was getting pretty rough. Took about an hour for each rod.

SMITTY0045 reply :

I’m quickly becoming a fan of Winn grips. Really like the feel and they look pretty sweet on a lot of rods

KP Duty reply :

I prefer cork with rod wrap. Its grippy and keeps my cork nice. I've held a winn gripped rod and liked the feel of it. I just want a hard handle material to maximize control.

FishTank reply :

I have always liked cork grips. It just feels natural to me.

Catt reply :

If ya gonna do Winn grips, do Winn grips, not the tape!

pauldconyers reply :

Winn for the win!

LCG reply :

Does anyone know how durable the Winn grips are? Not the tape but actual grip. Curious to see if they last, hope so.

diehardbassfishing reply :

I spell grips - CORK.

Karl

NYWayfarer reply :

I prefer the Winn grips.

I also prefer a darker color Winn grip as they get filthy fast. Care guide that came with them says to clean with a damp cloth to preserve the tackiness of the grip. Plain damp cloth doesn't cut it on my Neon green Lew's Mach 2 grips though.

MAN reply :

Just remember that polyurethane grips dampen vibration so there will be some sensitivity lost. You can help compensate that with an open blank reel seat. Its all personal preference. I am a fan of cork myself but have many Winn Grip and Chinese PU gripped rods because its the in thing right now. I do think these grips have peaked though in my personal opinion.

EGbassing reply :

Cork looks nicer imo but in terms of functionality I think the winn grips always win.

Darren. reply :

I've been an either/or as far as cork or EVA. Only handled Winn

grips in-store and do like them; however, there's something about

cork that I really like....

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

I prefer cork or EVA-never used winn. What rods use winn grips besides BPS and lews?

DogBone_384 reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 2:42 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

What rods use winn grips besides BPS and lews?

Kistler Mg2...

MrFrost reply :

I have cork, Wynn, and EVA. My personal opinion is cork, split grips.

I'm too OCD though, so when I pick out a new rod, I try to pick out a reel with matching handle material. Except on the EVA rod I have, it was my first bait casting combo, and with the trouble/pain I have in my hands, I notice more discomfort when using that rod. So I haven't given much thought to any rods with EVA handles since that discovery.

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 2:57 AM, DogBone_384 said:

Kistler Mg2...

true. And i think cashion.

Jigfishn10 reply :

I guess I'm old school, cork.

Hulkster reply :

me too. love Cork

Catt reply :

Like cork but growing fond of Winn grips ????

Jigfishn10 reply :

I gotta try fishing with them I guess. More stuff to buy. ????

Djohn reply :

I've always spent extra to get good cork handles. Recently I was given a couple of nice rods with Winn grips and I find myself using them more often the not.

Mobasser reply :

I like cork

LionHeart reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 12:08 AM, MAN said:

Just remember that polyurethane grips dampen vibration so there will be some sensitivity lost. You can help compensate that with an open blank reel seat. Its all personal preference. I am a fan of cork myself but have many Winn Grip and Chinese PU gripped rods because its the in thing right now. I do think these grips have peaked though in my personal opinion.

I have often pondered this. Then again, how much of your hand actually touches the handle when you fish? I'd submit nearly none for most guys/gals.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

To me grips are more aesthetic than functional. I’m either palming the reel or holding the seat and stem with very little contact with the grip.

BigBass'n_Harrison reply :

I think I am going to go with cork for now, full handle, because if it starts to deteriorate I can always order winn grips (not the wraps) and watch a Youtube video on how to install it. Or just send the rod in. Either way I can replace the cork easy enough later on.

What exactly do you request to make sure you get a quality cork? Like AA or AAA or just say cork? This is my first time doing this.

Thanks for all the replies!

~Harrison

CrankFate reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 6:02 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

I gotta try fishing with them I guess. More stuff to buy. ????

Baitmonkey warning ⚠️

MickD reply :

An easy way to find out if you like the way Winn's fish is to spend $10 for a Winn grip tape and put it on one of your rods that has deteriorated cork. You fix one rod and get experience with Winns. the tape will feel just like a new Winn grip.

On 3/22/2019 at 7:49 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I’m either palming the reel or holding the seat and stem with very little contact with the grip.

Exc for casting a baitcaster?

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 10:12 AM, MickD said:

An easy way to find out if you like the way Winn's fish is to spend $10 for a Winn grip tape and put it on one of your rods that has deteriorated cork. You fix one rod and get experience with Winns. the tape will feel just like a new Winn grip.

Exc for casting a baitcaster?

Ya right. Even then just the heel of your hand is on the grip. Not to say it’s completely irrelevant just not a high priority.

EGbassing reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 7:48 AM, LionHeart said:

I have often pondered this. Then again, how much of your hand actually touches the handle when you fish? I'd submit nearly none for most guys/gals.

Generally two of my fingers are on the grip, two are on the exposed blank that my Lew's Carbon Fire has, and the fifth is on the top of the reel. That's just me though.

microotter reply :

Can the winn wrap be easily removed if one doesn’t like it?

LonnieP reply :

I prefer cork

craww reply :

Cork, more for aesthetics- but as said the harder eva is also fine for me. All the rods Ive seen w/winn grips have had too much obnoxious writing all over them for my tastes. Same goes for the reel handles. To my eye the reel knobs are an eyesore also, they just look out of place- but that may be due to the “louder” colors that seem to get used more.

S Hovanec reply :

I prefer natural cork and composite and burl cork. You can do so much more with that material than the Winn stuff.

blckshirt98 reply :

I prefer the feel of Winn grips but I have concerns about durability. My brother uses Winn grips on his golf clubs and those things wear out and need to be re-wrapped fairly often. If it's a rod that's going to see heavy use I'd go with cork until we see more feedback on the durability of the Winn grips on fishing rods.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Cork is my least favorite rod handle material. Winn grips or EVA foam is what I prefer.

stratoliner92 reply :

Full cork for me, I can get a better casting grip with them compared to split. Don't care for the feel on Winn either

Joshua van Wyk reply :

I prefer cork, I dont mind eva but it gets dirty really fast which drives me crazy as lm obsessed with keeping my gear in perfect condition.

Heartland reply :

Cork

LionHeart reply :

On 3/22/2019 at 10:12 AM, MickD said:

An easy way to find out if you like the way Winn's fish is to spend $10 for a Winn grip tape and put it on one of your rods that has deteriorated cork. You fix one rod and get experience with Winns. the tape will feel just like a new Winn grip.

Exc for casting a baitcaster?

Sensitivity is the last thing on my mind when I cast.

MickD reply :

On 3/26/2019 at 7:55 AM, LionHeart said:

Exc for casting a baitcaster?

I was asking about a previous post in which it was mentioned that the hands are not on the grips much. I think casting is the best application for Winn grips or tape. Keeps the rod stable in the hand. Tacky under all weather conditions. I would think they would be ideal for heavy duty rods like muskie rods.

I have Winn's on my pitching rod and really like them.

2556

Winn Grips or Cork? What do you prefer? 2024

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