rod help?

[Lund 95]

I am looking for some kind of product that will cover the cork handles on my muskie rods. When fishing i tear up the cork handles with my prosthetic "compliments of iraq" especialy when throwing [PoorWordUsage] baits pretty quickly... Any thoughts???

[10,000 Casts]

Just a quick thought, what about the rod slicks that are mabe for ice fishing rods? They are a heavy duty weaved plastic and it should hold up against the metal rubbing against it.

what about hockey tape?

Just a couple thoughts, someone will probably have a better idea.

[RuKiddingMe]

RK can really help here but I have seen Pete Maina endorse a product that is exactly what you are looking for, all kinds of different colors. I seen it when he was doing a woods and water show with John a couple years back. Bass pro shops has it, it's called XPS PRO WRAP for Fishing Rod Handles.

I hope this helps.

RU

[Mike Wallace]

There is a new concept in rod-building now using synthetic grips. A few different kinds are currently hitting the markets.

Check around some local rodbuilders and they may be able to help you out. I think you will find something that will work great.

Mike Wallace

[cjac]

Hey Keith,

Is Syncork an option here???

Chris

[cjac]

Hey Adam,

Hope all is well with you! There is a new synthetic cork material out there, let me see what I can find out.

Chris

[RK]

Hiya -

As RU said, the Rod Wraps are an option for sure. Don't know how much they'll protect the cork underneath from dents but it should help keep it from tearing up. Can get it from BAss Pro, Esox Angler, and maybe Thorne Bros? (Not sure on Thornes - call 'em)

The other option, as Cjac mentioned, is a new product called Syncork. It's basically synthetic cork that can be used in place of organic cork rings. Much more durable, lighter than cork, and sort of has a grip to it too so it doesn't get slippery. Plus you can shape it just like organic cork. The stuff was invented by Gregg Thorne (he and his brother Paul started Thorne Bros.) and Gregg knows as much about rod building as anyone. It's really cool stuff.

Right now, about the only two places that have it as far as I know are Thorne Bros and Keith at KT Pro Edge. Might check with them about having your cork replaced...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[porterhouse]

I've been using rod wraps for the last 3 years. I've had no problems with them yet. Also when raining I get a better grip with these. So no more rods going overboard!!!!!!!

Brian

[DinkADunk]

Besides the products already mentioned you can use the grip wraps used for tennis rackets, leather or fabric cord wraped like you would wrap a rod guide, a custom fit leather or cordura cover that's laced up, or have a custom rod made with a handle made to work with and not against your hardware.

[Scoot]

Lund,

I sent you an e-mail. The rod wraps and the tennis racket grip ideas would likely be much better than nothing- also quick, easy, and cheap options. Another option would be to use the woven graphite handles and foregrips. They're estremely light, really strong, and don't get slick when wet (despite the fact that they seem like they would). Not many use the woven graphite, but it's really nice and rock solid.

Some people might get their undies in a bunch about this, but the synthetic products are not the answer here. Most of the rod guru's don't have a lot of good things to say about the synthetic cork products.

[RK]

Scoot -

I had the same attitude on synthetic handles (fine for rods that sit in a rod holder all day, useless for anything else) until I tried the Syncork stuff Gregg Thorne came up with. Actually, be really interesting to see what your dad thought about it as a rod builder. You'll have to check it out at the MN Muskie Expo. It's not like any of the other non-organic handle materials out there.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Scoot]

Yeah, hopefully I'll be at the Expo to see it. I'm very curious. I have yet to see a synthetic cork product that either isn't pretty junky right away or doesn't turn into junk in a fairly short time. Again, I'm sure somebody will come on here extoling their wonderful experience they had with a synthetic handle, but mostly their junk. HOWEVER, that's not speaking about Syncork- my dad has no first hand experience with it at this point.

So... I'll be skeptical, but open-minded about it. Who knows, maybe it's the next big thing...

[cjac]

Lund 95 (Adam), do you now have some ideas that might work with your prosthetic? (Thanks for sending a note to him Scoot)

Scoot, stuff sounds like the real-deal, but I've not seen/touched it yet. As soon as they figure out how to make it look like cork for the old school guys (even young ones like me) look out. Let's put it this way, KT is even unloading his WIFE'S rod to me to make her one with the Syncork......guess that say a lot about the stuff, and I suppose me too!

Chris

[Lund 95]

Wow i guess there is alot more options then i thought. I will check into the Syncork stuff but right now I'm leaning toward the reel wrap. Maybe I will just contact thorne bros and get some more info on the stuff.

Thanks to everyone for all the responses.

[cjac]

Lund 95,

That's what this site is for, simple as that. Glad the guys were able to assist.

Did you see this post? I think it may interest you! Lot's of people behind this doing some pretty amazing things. Bret has some "big hitters" involved, check out the site on the FM link below.

Operation Muskie

Chris

[Lund 95]

Yeah I'm really looking forward to it!!! I couldn't beleive all of the big names and guides that are helping us all out!

Pretty amazing to see how everyone can come together for an event like this! August will not come fast enough i don't think.

Thanks to you chris for giving me a heads up on the event.

Yeah a pic of my only legal should be up on the HSOforum hopefully soon. All this thought of muskies is getting me fired up way to early in the year!

[Lund 95]

Thanks Scoot for the email and the offer!

[MUSKY18]

I emailed Pete Maina and he gave me some ideas, also Keith from Professional Edge has some ideas and is going to let me know what we can maybe do for Adam.

Adam's pic with his legal fish has now been posted on the HSOforum, so if you want to see it, you can check it out under the Veterans section of the Operation Muskie HSOforum.

[cjac]

Awesome guys!!! Great to hear of all the options coming up, and thanks to all for the offline replies.

Adam, I was assuming you were looped in but just wanted to make sure you were aware of what Bret has lined up come August. I looked a while back but I didn't see you on the list.

Bret: Hats off to you for all our your efforts on this, you have a lot of people truely excited to help! Well done, Sir.

Chris

[Scoot]

Yes, awesome Bret. Really wonderful!

Adam, I e-mailed back. Also, I mentioned this once before, but if you get up this way I'd like the chance to take you out and fish one evening. I seem to remember you get around Moorhead once in a while. If you are coming up, I could have my make a woven graphite handled rod for you to check out. If you were interested, I'm sure he would swing you a smokin' deal.

FYI to all- after talking to my dad, he suggested the cheapest and probably totally funcitonal/effective fix would be the wraps. Give that a try and see what happens. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, he'll do his best to help you out. Also, as already mentioned, Keith really seems to know his stuff and he'd be a good person to work with too. Seems like a really nice guy too.

Scoot

[MUSKY18]

Thanks for the comments guys. We (Dick Pearson, Frank Walsh, Doug Johnson and myself) have been working hard to make sure the vets all get what they deserve. Wish we had about 200 more spots so we could get more and more vets up on the lake. I know there are alot more out there that deserve it.

On the bright side, I get to share a boat with Adam on the third day of the outing in Aug. Hopefully we will be putting some bigguns in the boat for him!!!

[Professional Edge]

Hello everybody.

Syncork is a material like no other I have every seen. It has the same working qualities as cork (shape, reaming, sanding) but the qualities that are unlike cork is what makes it very functional. Syncork repels water, is lighter then cork (hard to believe but true), is more dense then cork (does not dent or chip), and does not show wear. I have never seen a product that has come along since I started building that made me say this will change the way fishing rods are made until this. Time will tell how this chapter will be written. Of all the orders I took at the Chicago musky show all but one or two decided to use Syncork after seeing it.

Make sure you stop by to check it out at the Blaine show. There is much more to be said about this but in all fairness to the site I will wait until I start advertising here which will be very shortly.

You have mail. I hope one veteran can help another.

Hope all is well.

Keith