I have a guy that wants some trolling rods, but does not want standard EVA grips on them. Any other grip ideas for FW trolling rods?

Thanks,

Marc

What fish is he going for

Bill - willierods.com

i have found cord handles do well in rod holders then there is carbon and slick butts or combinations of them

These will be heavy trolling rods - muskies and big pike - will probably see some Canadian pike fishing. I doubt any downrigger fishing, mostly pulling cranks - flat line or boards.

Thanks,

Marc

If walleye are the target, cork can be a consideration. Rodholders are heck on cork grips with any amount of serious use. For salmon and trout, EVA or slickbutts are the way to go. Cork is again ok for periodic use, but will not stand up to the riggers of salmon trolling for long.

Hi,

Personally I absolutely love woven graphite/Texalium handles. I use a lot of Vetre handles but have made many creative grips with cork/eva/carbon tubing combinations. In general they are hard(or slick), light-weight, sensitive and offer unique cosmetic options.

Best Regards,

Darrin Heim
American Tackle Company

Since 80% of the fishing I do is trolling in both fresh and saltwater I would recommend going with a handle set up that will out last anything else that I have found. The 3K Gray Woven tubing or Woven Texalium Silver tubing is the way to go read more here

[clients.criticalimpact.com]#

The main difference between the two that I have found is that the 3K is much more sensitive and will never wear under normal fishing conditions however its twice the price and honestly the rod holder does not care about sensitivity. This slim set up will allow you to easily remove the rod from the holder day in and day out yet still look as good as new. Another high light is that they really do not take on any scent for those picky fish days. Since Alps has come up with the new Aluminum Trigger seat in size 17 and 20 I have been extremely happy with the all but bullet proof set up. To add a bit more grip to the entire system I incorporated X Flock Shrink Tubing on both fore grip as well as a few inches on top and bottom of the rear grip. The fore grip can be any material but I use our EVA 5 inch for the most part. Please make sure to visit the links I have attached for complete instructions on how to create one of the finest rod holder handle set ups I know of. Best Regards, Karry Batson

Woven Handle How to [clients.criticalimpact.com]#

X flock Shrink tubing How to: [clients.criticalimpact.com]#

RCLB79MH
Rainshadow Saltwater

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # RCLB79MH-CG 7'9" 1pc MedHVY 30-80
Butt Cap: AF2B 2" Alum Fighting Butt- Black Satin
Reel Seat: DALT20-S #20 Aluminum Double Trigger Reel Seat-Silver click here for more details [clients.criticalimpact.com]
Fore Grip: BF5-625 5" Foregrip .625" I.D. EVA-Black
Fore Grip Cover: HST-1.38x39.4 Heat Shrink Tube X-Flock 1.38" IDx39.4"-Black
Rear Grip: WHTS-12+WHKA X 5 12" Woven Texalium Silver Handle (1.05" OD / .970" ID) and Woven Handle Arbors
Raer Grip Cover: HST-1.18x39.4 cut 4 inch X 2 Heat Shrink Tube X-Flock 1.18" IDx39.4"-Black
Rear Grip trim: TRC-B for butt cap trim Trim Ring mount inbetween AF2 and WHTS…
Winding Check: BWC15 Aluminum Winding Check w/cut out .571 I.D. - Silver
Tip Top XPZT10F09.0 SS316-RRD-P Top 10 'Z' Ring 9.0 Tube - Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XXNZG SS316-Medium XN guide with Z ring-Polished frame


Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XXNZG10 3"
2nd XXNZG10 6.25"
3rd XXNZG10 9.75"
4th XXNZG10 13.5"
5th XXNZG10 18.5"
6th XXNZG10 24.25"
7th XXNZG10 30.125"
8th XXNZG10 36.375"
9th XXNZG12 42.625"
10th XXNZG16 49.75
11th XXNZG20 57.5"

Go to your neighborhood big box home supply store and pick up a roll or plastic irrigation tubing for $30. You can make a hundred handles from one roll of tubing. Indestrucible and easy to use.

Cut off a piece a bit longer than you need for a handle. Put it in an oven to soften it and slip it over a mandral of the same size as the inside of the handle to get the tubing straight. Let it cool. Then, trim to lengh, slip on the blank with a built up butt section and you are good to go.

The tubing will not get ripped up in rod holders and is easy to remove. Essentially you are creating slick grips with the tubing.

Take care
Roger

I would consider using cork or foam and then using the X flock tubing. This way your rod stays light yet is plenty tough. [www.getbitoutdoors.com]

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
407-542-7840
www.GetBitOutdoors.com
www.facebook.com/GetBitOutdoors

I just finished two trolling rods for trout fishing at a local lake, and the handles I made were cork tape covered with flocked shrink tube. These things are pretty much bullet proof,,, can withstand the abuse of being in rod holders all the time, and if the flocked shrink tube wears out, , can be replaced easily, without affecting the integrity of the cork tape.

A slick butt will take a LoooooG time to wear out Then put some shrink over it if ya don't like the looks

Plus it is cheap

Bill - willierods.com

I have been building trolling and kayak rods using carbon skinned grips on the butt and EVA in the fore grip. The carbon slides easily out of the holder and handles the abuse very well and are very light.

Try a golf grip...
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
They're a good length for rod holders, tougher than nails, very inexpensive, and you have loads of options for colors and themes.

I like either AMTAK's Vetre Marix Handles, or some kind of Graphite/Texalium Tubing. Lightweight, easy to clean, and comes out of the rod holder easily. Plus, it looks great.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2024 10:56PM by Craig A Fales.