Need Rod-Mod Advice

[tufnik]

I like my Bass Pro Bionic Blade rod: lightweight, good action, sturdy, cheap (about $60), etc.

5/8 oz lure
6'6"
med power; fast action

Anyway, I don't like the EVA grip. I much prefer cork.

Can the EVA easily be replaced with cork?
Is it worth it?
How do I do it? Just cut it off and slip a new grip over it? Seems easy, I think.
How do I size the replacement grip?

Thanks

[Memory Maker]

It's not as easy as you think. You will have to find a way to get the EVA off and the rings in the split portion. The portion in the reelseat won't be fun either. Then you will have to ream the cork to fit the blank. Since you will have to slip it over the backend which is the large part of the taper, you will have to ream it larger than the blank and use shims to fill the gap. You will also have to taper the grip to fit the reelseat. Then there is the foregrip.

You should completely strip it and rebuild it to do it right.

[DOGFISH]

I agree with Rick, not as easy as one might think. My personal opinion, leave it as it is.

[mebe007]

You will probably spend more on good grade cork that's not full of filler than you did on the rod.

[Mark]

I would take it to a rod repair specialist who has the tools and knowhow for an assessment.

[J.A. Veil]

For the cost/time/aggravation of replacing a grip on a $60 rod, consider selling the rod to another Snaggedline member at a discount and buying a different version of the rod with the grip you prefer. I suspect the total cost would be lower that way.

[mchottie]

I agree with this route, net cost "loss" would be negligible, and you could also be helping out a "beginner" member

For the cost/time/aggravation of replacing a grip on a $60 rod, consider selling the rod to another Snaggedline member at a discount and buying a different version of the rod with the grip you prefer. I suspect the total cost would be lower that way.

[bunnielab]

I had an old Ugly Stick where the reel seat came loose. I decided to try and replace it and shorten the butt at the same time.

Two evenings of scraping epoxy off later, I gave up and decided to make it into a festive tomato stake. It was like they managed to cake on epoxy everywhere on the blank but where the seat was.

[tufnik]

OMG, too much trouble, huh?! Glad I asked. Saw some new rods (w/ cork) on sale for less than $60, so here I come. Thanks to all!