I have a customer that wants a 8' hvy Rod. I picked up a ATX from Mudhole The butt od is.811. He wants cork grips the back he wants at 12" and he wants it to be a baitcaster. Here is my problem The cork grip is 1.25 and when I bore the hole to .881 That leaves .184 to a side. Is that enough cork per side to remain durable? I also measured where the reel seat will go it is .850 ok 20mm and he wants a rod through seat. The only one I found is made by American Tackle and it is not rod through the seat and it seems pretty straight as compared to other reel seats. I know I can mill a window for the rod,but that is just more time and money for the customer. Oh and by the way he does not like EVA grips.

Why not use cork tape for the grips?
Either 1/8" or two passes of 1/16" should do fine.

You can also get rings that are 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 " OD

easier to use the cork tape

But if you are care full you can ream out the cork to fit -- Slow and easy does it Sealing the cork also helps so it does not break

Bill - willierods.com

The problem with cork tape is that there is no taper to it. I have built a few muskie rods and you are casting all day long, you want some comfort not just a strait grip. I would go with bigger OD cork, sure it cost more but I am sure he will expect it. You can also try to go with another material, carbon sleeve, synthetic cork or something else.

I never seen 1.75 cork rings? They sell them? Where?

For many years Angler's Workshop has cataloged an 11 inch larger diameter cork grip, STBG8, that was designed for just your purpose, if I need it longer I just add a few Exotic cork strips, etc. in a nice design and/or add a long buttcap/aluminum fighting butt. They also have a 19 inch grip that is new to the site, but I have no idea of the OD.

[www.mudhole.com]

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for the information on the grip. Now does anyone know about a size 20mm bait casting reel seat with a blank window? I have the one from American Tackle but that I will have to mill a window in. Are there anymore out there that I may have over looked?

Lone Wolf Rods
"Keep your powder dry and your lines wet"
God Bless

Why would he want an exposed blank reel seat? A musky does not have a soft bite and therefore senstivity is not an issue. Plus most guys are using larger round baitcasters for reels such as the Calcutta so there is no need or way to palm the reel.
I would ask these questions before ruining a good reel seat by trying to mill out a window that serves no purpose.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

I did ask him and he said he would like to use it as a multi species rod. Besides he does tournments around Wisconsin and I do sponsor him and his guiding service. I just want to impress to get my name on the map.