I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages using cork or EVA grips on bass rods. Can anyone give me good info on this? Thanks in advance!

Cork feels great! Very light. But EVA is probably a little bit tougher and longer lasting. I mean cork will last for years, but it is possible to chip and tear it up over time. I would also guess that cork costs more, even the cheaper grades.

I guess both have advantages, but it might boil down to type of fishing and how well a person takes care of their equipment. Cork is more sensitive, warmer to the hand in cool or cold weather, but it does tend to get beat up if not treated well. Even rod holders can be tough on them when the rod is removed in haste or carelessly.
EVA can be colored and is much more resistant to wear and tear.

Putter

I have used EVA for flyrod grips. I can't imagine using cork on a spinning or casting rod. A pistol grip handle is very comfortable on a casting rod. No EVA at all. If you have to have cork, consider varnishing over it.

I'm with Don on this one. Doing a lot of saltwater fishing with rods on the boat and in the water wading all day for many days in a row, I was wearing out cork grips in one tarpon season in the Keys and on the Texas coast fishing for reds and trout. Once I started using EVA, I'm hooked and now use it even on my lightest fly rods. The difference in weight is inconsequential and can help balance mid weight fly rods, the durability is excellent, and with some 200 grit, they can be made to look like new in about two minutes. Drenched with sweat and fish slime, they can be slick, but really no worse than cork IMO. Only downside is they don't look as classic on some lighter weight trout rods.

John

I have gone to almost all EVA grips on my bass and bay rods, that is with the exception of burl grips on a few rods. They are more comfortable and last longer that the so called good cork that is now available. I'm really sick of paying big bucks for cork that is basically crap. Don't get me wrong, I know the sponsors are buying the best that they can find, but lets face it there is really no good cork anymore.

Later,
Gerald Mc

If you don't expect the grips will be exposed to harsh treatment, and cost is not really an issue, then cork is tough to beat. In the event, however, that cost is an issue and you expect some manner of rough handling or accelerated wear and tear on the handle and grips, then a good firm EVA may serve you better and longer.

As far as the pre-formed cork grips, there is good stuff around, but there is some really poor stuff out there too. I would vote for firm EVA over really bad, poorly filled cork any day.

..........

Jim,

One quick point on the aesthetics of EVA: If you purchase the tan, grained EVA, then cut it into 1/2" pieces on a miter-box (takes just a few minutes), then glue it up as you would cork, but rotate the pieces so that the grain is broken, it looks surprisingly cork-like. This method also has the advantage of getting a complete glue joint under all the EVA. The final step is to sand the shape of the grip as you would with cork. EVA is tougher than cork, so the sanding is a little more time consuming. This has worked well enough for me so that I use it on many saltwater fly-rods now, in addition to many bass rods.

Gerry

So far I've only made rods with cork grips. As long as I can get good or better quality cork I will continue to do so. I don't like foam grips, period. I do a few repairs with foam, it's easy to work with, but if I can manage it, I'll not build a rod with foam grips, EVA or other. Ralph