This is for swimbait rods only. Don't want to give too much away, but this could have an effect on some rods coming out. Thanks for the input.

Poll question: Which handle material do you prefer?

Poll result (30 votes) Hypalon (12 votes) Vote Cork (16 votes) Vote Other (2 votes) Vote

I really like the rainshadow you built me with hypalon for grip and cork tape tandle.

The rainshadow that you built with the Hypalon is nice... especially in the rain... when I was throwing some heavier baits on my Rogue 808 with cork it felt like I might lose my grip but the hypalon on the rainshadow performed really nice and "just felt right."

Erik P

Brian, I just wanted to say that you might not be able to really judge by this poll. A lot of people like myself have never thrown big baits with hypalon, so they're going to vote for cork. I one of those that can't vote here, cause I can't compare the two.

Ya, i fall under that catagory. Haven't had the chance to use both enough to make that judgement. I do know i have wrapped my cork handled swimbait rods with the tennis racquet replacement grip( I think FC had suggested this?) and I really like it. It feels super solid and have no problems with the grip being slippery after getting my hands wet or slimy.

Trever-

Yeah, what I'm trying to do is get a sense of what the majority would rather purchase, if they saw the two side by side. The way this started was I was talking with rob about which handle would be better on a factory wrapped swimbait rod. Obviously we both prefer hypalon, but I thought that more people would be willing to buy cork. This site's a little biased cause most guys voting know their way around a swimbait rod, so the hypalon vote is probably a little inflated.

If you haven't fished hypalon, assume you aren't able to hold either rod in real life. If you're willing to buy the hypalon rod without ever feeling it, vote hypalon. If you'd rather stick with the tried and true, vote cork. That'll give me a sense of whether people are willing to try new setups or not.
-Brian

PS- Trever, I'm gonna try to have your rod done by Friday.

I will put my vote on hypalon then,I really don't like the cork for huckin' and chuckin' the big stuff. I feel like I could lose the rod out of my hands with a real hard cast.Maybe i just need to have some real muscles, the 12oz curls just are'nt enough. :)

Also given the fact that fishing from a yak you are casting from the sitting position and you really have to sling it to get some distance.plus your hands and rods are pretty much always wet.

Anyway, can't wait to check out the rod Brian, Thanks!

Trever-

My current swimbait rod is cork and sometimes I feel like it beats up on my hands because of that. I love the action of it but in hind sight, if I could get the same rod in Hypalon for the same price I would. However, the average Joe who has never touched a swimbait rod before, I think will reach for the cork first. So if you're selling to Newbies and don't care about future sales, then go with cork. Otherwise Hypalon.
Tight lines,
Wade

Brian, since you put that way, I put my vote for cork. Because of this site I'm sure I would buy hypalon, but I think a lot of people associate hypalon with 'cheap' because of all the $12 and $15 rods at wal-mart and k-mart. So I think not knowing anything about them, the average person would buy cork?

Thanks jake, that's what I'm looking for. Kind of gotta "hypothetical" this one for those of us who know more than we should :P

My vote went to hypalon.

I think what Jake said is true about people associating hypalon with cheap wal-mart rods. The fact is though, hypalon and the cheap eva foam on those other rods are two different thing things. I bet if the guys new that when ordering, they might reconsider. Just a thought.

IMHO, cork just sucks. The hypalon is much much more comfy and does grip better. I've heard that cork has bette sensativity but do you really need it when huckin' the big baits?

Jake

Hypalon for sure, I love it, I have converted all my Loomis rods to hypalon?
It takes a lot of work to sand and get rid of the excess rubber, but well worth it?