I'm wondering how EVA performs over the long haul, especially how it feels and fishes when wet. I've built a couple sticks with it this spring, and I really like how they fish so far. But I haven't fished with them in the rain yet. I've got a guy wondering about me building a stick with EVA split grips, but I can't answer this main question for him.

Thanks for all the answers!

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

You mean does it get slippery? Not as much as cork, but not as "grippy" as Hypalon.

wet...i have never had an issue...i fish and build pimarily for salt water...i fish in the rain and under the occasional wave (dont try that @ home) and ALL my rock / surf rods are EVA grips...unlike cork where any water will sit on the surface and be repelled by any oil buil dup from your hands EVA will soak the surface water off, keeping the grip betetr...

but fish Slime ...well...that different !

EVA is a lot easier to keep in top condition that cork..so it can look like new for a lot longer..the tech i use is #1,kep it clean for a start, and i gve it a good hose down with fresh water after each trip and #2. if it starts to get a layer of 'scum' or dried cruusty nasty ness, simly wet out a rag with Turps and giev it a good scrub ! all new again, same when i do resorations..if the EVa has a hard layer of 'what ever has been left there' i ill hit it with a block and 120 grit silicone paper to take the top layer off ( till the black of the EVA show through) and again give it a good scrub with a turps soaked rag...

HOTRODS - Perrie Thomas Custom Rods
[www.perrieshotrods.com]

You can prevent taht crusty mess from forming on EVA frm fish slime & bait - but it does require a tad more than a FW hose down. Take teh rod into the shower, adn brush it with soap usign a toothbrush. I know more than more people are willing to do, and in most cases it's overly anal - but when your "show" rods are fished 30-40 times a year, you gotta keep them looking new. lol.

The correct density EVA shaped and custom surface treated for your comfort provide a winning hand for split grips on fishing rods.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.swamplandtackle.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2008 08:14AM by Bill Stevens.

Deffinatly agree with the shower routine Billy, lot of the local game fisho's get the frown from the 'Significant other' when said fisho's wander into the bathroom with a set of 50lb rods and reels under ones are to take a tub !

HOTRODS - Perrie Thomas Custom Rods
[www.perrieshotrods.com]

lol. I HATE leaving my rods to dry in teshower overnight, and my wife/son takes a shower without removing them form the tub. Nothing worse than waking up at 3Am and putting wet rods/reels into a roof rack when it's 25 degrees out, lol.

I have also found that the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser also works well to get out the discoloration on the lighter EVA from fish guts/dirty hands..etc..