Hello

I want to make a cork handle for my next rod. It will be my second rod so I don't have much experience and this is my first cork handle. The blank is a Cascade IS661F-G from Mudhole's liquidation. But, what I didn't realize when I bought the rod is that finding a cork handle with an inner diameter that's even close to it's Butt OD of .275 is quite a challenge. I don't have enough equipment (nor confidence) to make my own handle right now so I'd like to buy something.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can find a cork handle for a spinning rod that will work? Also, I was thinking of a 7" rear grip with a 2 1/2" front grip plus an approximately 4" reel seat for a grand total of let's call it 14". Does that seem too long for a 4-6lb 5'6" rod? It seems ok to me at first glance but I thought I'd ask for an expert opinion.

Thanks
Sam

Mudhole, Jann's, and many other sponsors here offer a wide variety of prebuilt grips with an ID of .250. A little work with a reamer or rattail file and you will be in business.

As far as length, that's pretty much personal/customer preference. Some like long, some short, some split, long foregrip, no foregrip, etc... No hard rules for grips.

As far as equipment to build your own out of rings, all you need is a long bolt, some washers and wingnuts, and a drill. Not as easy as a lathe, but still easily done.

Thanks Mick...

I checked Mudhole and I can't seem to find any spinning cork handles with an ID of anything less than .350. I also looked through Merrick Tackle's brochure just to see if they might have something and nada as well. I'll check some of the other guys too.

-Sam

Try Jann's.

Putter
Williston, ND

Jann's did the trick... they actually have quite a few nice things.

Thanks a ton...
Sam

Very good company to deal with as are a lot of the sponsors here, Sam! We're lucky dogs, we are.

Putter
Williston, ND

Sam, just finished building the exact model in a 2-pc, my 4th rod so far. Your proposed grip lengths are bit long for short UL more appropriate on longer bass rod. It just cuts down usable rod length and adds extra weight to an UL. My grip lengths are 4.25 rear and 1.75 front with a 16 dps fuji seat and rubberized cork butt. Just buy one grip and cut off a front piece using a spining drill and file.



Best Regards, James

Sam,
The grip you want is made by Baston, model # RGA4 - 1875... 4" long with a .1875" bore, and very good quality cork for a preformed grip. I'm using the same grip on the 6' version of the same rod, and it really fits the bill. If you don't want to mess with making your own grips its the way to go. FishSticks, Bingham and a few others carry it.

Thanks James/Daniel...

I'll look into the Baston rear grip (and I'll see if it has a matching front grip) and the 16dps fuji seat.

-Sam