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handle decision
Posted by: alan corbin (---.static.hvvc.us)
Date: September 30, 2014 06:06PM

I am going to build some walleye trolling rods. they will be kept in rod holders above deck when trolling. maybe dipsey divers. these put a lot of stress on the rod handles and I want something that will hold up for the long haul. eva is to short, cork not durable. what am I left with? not sure I can make good carbon fiber grips. so what about cord? if the rod butt is to small what would I put underneath the cord to build it up a little. sorry for all the questions but I only want to make this set of four rods once! thx for any advice.

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: bill boettcher (---.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net)
Date: September 30, 2014 06:22PM

Smooth butt American Tackle or Pac Bay has some also

Bill - willierods.com

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: John E Powell (---.buffalo.res.rr.com)
Date: September 30, 2014 06:39PM

Hypalon will hold up better than EVA for the rear grip. It's not quite as firm, but it returns to its original shape if compressed by a rod holder. It is a bit heavier than EVA though.

I wouldn't recommend a slick butt for a recreational freshwater rod, just no need to be honest. But I would consider it for charter boat use where a rod sees 100+ days a year on the water. Slick butts have to be shimmed quite a bit to fit freshwater blanks, and it's more difficult to match standard butt caps to it if it has to be trimmed.

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: Randolph Ruwe (---.hsd1.wa.comcast.net)
Date: September 30, 2014 06:53PM

I would go with what John said. Hypalon, at least the stuff I have from the '80's is much tougher than either cork or EVA.

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: bill boettcher (---.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net)
Date: September 30, 2014 06:56PM

The smooth butt is your best bet
VERY hard and will be VERY easy to pull out of any holder
If you want you can put sections of another material in the handle just cut it shap the materal and glue it in

Bill - willierods.com

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: Doug Schreiber (---.mycingular.net)
Date: September 30, 2014 07:42PM

Hands down I would go with EVA or hypolon.
I have had many trolling rods for salmon and walleye and the foams are the way to go.
The foam is more durable and I am not crazy about the smooth for cold water.
I will be making a set for next year for walleye and planer board fishing for cohos, 9 foot xf blanks. Like a hotshot blank.
Looking at doing spiral guide set up.
I would not recommend the same rods for walleye and dipsey.
Walleye trolling rods are typically too light for dipseyes and dipsey rods are too heavy for walleye.

See you on the water, Doug
Captain Paddlefoot

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: Tom Kirkman (Moderator)
Date: September 30, 2014 08:51PM

Shrink tubing over a firm urethane core(8lb).

............

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Re: handle decision
Posted by: roger wilson (---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Date: October 01, 2014 12:39AM

As others have suggested - Hypalon is a very excellent material for this style rod and inexpensive as well.

Be safe

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