Hello everyone,

First time posting on this forum. Hopefully I'm in the correct place for this topic. I'm building a Seeker S6460XH 6'0" rod 40-100lb with a 1.025 butt. I'm looking for a blue EVA foam fore grip. The largest one I've been able to find was on mudhole with a 5/8" ID. I'd like to find something a little closer to the rods butt size. If anyone could point me in the right direction to find one that would be great.

Thanks
James

Hello James.

When I need a grip with a larger ID I just buy a 2" X 2" block, drill to the size I need and shape it as I like on the lathe.

1st Question: They stretch a lot what is the dia where you are putting the grip, not just the butt size, you said a "fore grip" and I'm sure the rod has some taper to the tip, and with a rod like that your "Fore Grip" will start between 16" and 24" from the butt?

2nd Question: Where did you get a matching butt grip? Or is the butt grip a smooth butt?

3rd Question: Can you use a larger saltwater grip (they are up to 3/4" at MudHole) and put a blue flocked or smooth heat shrink tubing on it?

That's enough questions for now.

Hope tis helps?!*

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Ream it to any size you like.

That grip should fit fine if it is indeed a foregrip. After the butt cap, rear grip and reel seat the blank diameter should be close. Never ream again...see Bill Havens grip installation on utube.

Hey Bob,

I'm sorry, I'm not sure if I can change the title but I was actually talking about REAR grip.

The tapered measurements are .925''-1.043".

I've already purchased the the blue EVA foam grip from mudhole. 5/8"

I tried to install the grip on the rod today and it didn't work out very well.

I almost had the grip in place, about 4" away, but as the rod tapered down the grip got smaller. A lot... half the size.

so, I think I have to moving to cork tape and the heat shrink stuff I guess.

Reaming it out would leave just about nothing left I think...

Thanks for the replies!

James

James,
If a grip is the appropriate size for the blank it can be reamed out.

A section of grip does not have to be very thick to just fine, very functional, attractive and functional.

Ream the grip properly. Glue it in place. Go fishing. You will be fine.

Best wishes.

Butt diameter isn't your concern so much as the diameter of the blank where the fore grip rests. What is the diameter where the rear grip, reel seat, and fore grip end? The grip can't be to large at that point.

As I understand EVA,it takes the stretching less,as opposed to hypalon. It may split on you if not reamed close to the OD of where it will end up on the rod. Use a reamer you make or buy,or get a 3/4" reverse pilot drill bit. If you care to,try a short,2" or 3" piece of EVA with the 5/8 ID to see how much it can stretch before it may split. Skip the epoxy. Then once you decide to ream,or not,use the technique referenced by Grant above to mount it. While Mudhole doesn't sell a 3/4" reverse pilot drill bit,The Rod Room does.

Hello James.

If you are set on the EVA feel you can buy a CRB XHD Straight Grip in black (They go up to 3/4") and cover it with the shrink-wrap.

On all my marlin rods I use the CRB XHD straight or tapered grips covered with CRB Flocked Heat Shrink Tubing over the top. It comes in a few different colors, I usually put it on the fore grip because I use "Aftco" style butts on most of them, but it works on both fore or aft grips.

MudHole has a video on how to install them or you can find video's on the web.


Hope this helps.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I ended up finding a 3/4" blue EVA grip. Hopefully this one will fit. I think it's close enough and if it's not I could probably ream it a little.

My buddy was telling me the hole time...cork tape and the heat shrink tubing.

But I was absolutely stuck on the blue EVA foam grip for some reason.

I think the rod will turn out nice... Hopefully.

Thanks again!
James

I'll update this thread hopefully with positive results once I get the grip on.

We have success!

I guess having the correct size grip helps a lot.

I don't think it could've gone much better. I ended up taking boiling water, with the heat off, and set the EVA grip in while I mixed the epoxy. I painted the epoxy on the rod and poured the remaining into the grip. It slid into place like butter. Cleaned the remaining epoxy off. I put some painters tape right above the grip and gently snug a hose clamp on the rod so the grip didn't creep back up. I think it was 15 min epoxy but I let it set up for a few hours took the hose clamp off and all is good.

On to the reel seat.

Thanks again for the advice. This place is full of knowledge.

Until next time!
James

Well since I have the grips and reel seat all done. On to the guides... As in my OP I've got a 6' 40-100lb rod. The guide spacing I'm thinking of using is from tip...5 - 10.5 - 16.5 - 24 -34.5 plus the tip. So thats 6 total. I'm wondering if I should add a guide? Any thoughts?

Hello James.

Lines.
James, go to the library and read the article on "static guide placement", second from the bottom.


Good Luck.



Tight Wraps & Tighter

Bob,

New Bern, NC.