I've got an earlier generation Winn Grip in my stock that was probably created for saltwater use as it has the older octopus pattern. I'm inclined to use it as a fore grip on a rod I'm building for myself for a change. But this grip, as I suspect is the case with all Winn Grips, appears to use EVA for a base grip material. This stick will be used for big tuna, and as I anticipate may need to be put on the rail from time to time, I'm concerned on how well it will hold up to that abuse. I've never used EVA on saltwater builds; hypalon 90% of the time, and cork the other 10%. Any thoughts?

Dave Sytsma

It would seem that any time that one is going to be using a rod for 300-600 lb fish and in a rod holder that one would want a very robust handle like a slick grip.

[www.getbitoutdoors.com]


But, I don't fish those waters so I have no personal experience.

Take care

The polymer Winn grip is not a good choice for that application, it does not take surface abuse well!

David,
I would certainly stay away from foam grips of any kind on a tuna rod; questionable durability. Many say the foam available today is too soft and ultimately uncomfortable. Slick butts are a great choice for rods used in a holder when big fish hit; easiest to get out of the tube. Typically, trolling out here in So Cal is accomplished by suspending the rod under the rail of the stern with straps connected to the upper lugs of the reel, so a slick but is not required. All of my 40lb + rods (even lighter rods) employ cork/rubber tape covered with diamond, flocked shrink tubing. It is comfortable, grippy, durable, cost effective, easy to clean and easy to replace if needed (although I have not had the need to do so). I will also employ hybrid carbon/Kevlar woven sleeving from time to time simply because I can.
Mark T.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Roger,

Thanks for your effort to help; your advice and creativity is truly a pleasure to read, but as you say, you haven't done it. Most of the tuna we're dealing with run 75# - 200#. The rear grip isn't really even a factor, because unless you are "on the troll" where the rod is suspended below the stern rail by the reel lugs, most of the fish we catch are done while "fly lining" , meaning you are swimming a live sardine either with the boat stopped or at anchor by carefully paying out line in free spool as the bait wants it. When you get bit, you throw the drag lever into STRIKE, let the rod load, put the butt into your harness, hang on to the fore grip and pray.

Mark,

Up to this point I haven't had any issues with hypalon. I use the standard grade on rear grips because as you know the rear grip essentially does nothing. I've been using the XHD high density hypalon from Mudhole on foregrips and haven't had any problems. I don't use it on rear grips because it's so stiff and dense that I've had to ream some of it before mounting because it doesn't stretch as much as the standard hypalon. The cork tape on my deckhand rod gave up after about 8 years, so after reading an article on it I've been covering it with hockey stick tape before a trip. Works amazingly well, won't shift, and gives you a great gripping surface even when wet and covered with sardine slime. Often I'll take the spool of tape, unwind a couple of feet at a time as needed and spin the roll to make a cord that I crisscross in a diamond pattern up and down the grip, and then put an outer layer of the hockey stick tape over it. You get the texture of a x-cut grip and it's easy on the hands so you don't need gloves. At the end of the trip I just peel off all the tape and discard it. I get about two grips out of a $5 spool of tape. I do have a spool of surf rod tape I could put on the fore grip of this build, but I'd like a larger diameter on this rod. I've used the x-flocked shrink tubing before and it was good, but honestly the hockey stick tape is even better. I've even wrapped fore grips for other guys on the boat when they've asked for it. Nobody hasn't liked it.
I appreciate the validation of my apprehension of using the Winn Grip. The guides aren't going to show up for a few days, so I'll do a little experimentation with a fore grip.

Dave