Plastic on cork section?

[dmac14]

Does anyone leave the plastic on the cork of their rod handle?

I have a few friends who do this and I just don't understand their logic. I like the cork to mold a little to my hand JMO.

[ghost]

Huh?  Are you talking about the shrink wrap that's on the cork when you buy the rod new?  If that's the case, I take that off & the Made in China sticker once I get it home.  Man, I hate the made in China sticker 'specially after spending $200 on that rod!

I take the plastic off cuz if I leave it on, my hand sweat & I just can't get a good grip on the handles.  Also if I leave the plastic on that rod is flying into the water on a cast.

I would think that your friend leave the plastic on to keep the cork looking new???

[.RM.]

The shrink wrap is to keep the pit filler from falling out before the purchase.

Once you take it off and the cork starts to weather, the filler will start to fail and you end up with pits in the grip. That's why a lot of anglers leave the shrink wrap on the grips, plus it will stay cleaner.

ghost, I hated the made in China tags I use to see on some of the rod blanks I would build on also, but even with the tag removed they are still made in China...

Tight Lines!!!  

[Fishing Rhino]

Methinks there may be a downside to leaving the cork on.  

You're in a wet environment.  Inevitably the cork will absorb moisture and the plastic will not let it dry.  All the experience I've had with boats, wood, and the water tells me that unless the wood is absolutely sealed, it must have good ventilation, so it can dry.

Wood does not rot when it is soaking wet, or when it is dry.  

Fungus can only destroy wood (what we call rot) within certain ranges of humidity and temperature.  When the bilge of a boat is not adequately vented, the temp and humidity will stay in the range for fungus to become active, and stay there longer.

It's why they put strips of wood between the freshly sawn planks at saanother sitells.  Stack em without separators, and they quickly rot.

I think the plastic is there to keep them clean, and for no other reason.

[.RM.]

I think the plastic is there to keep them clean, and for no other reason.

And to keep the pit filler in place...

But

Yes take the plastic off for sure, I have seen cork turn green on rods that got wet with the shrink wrap left on. Remove the shrink wrap while the cork is new and, seal the cork with a cork sealer like Trondak U-40 cork sealer..

It will not only keep the cork cleaner it will give you the ability to clean the cork periodically and, seals the pit fillers used and keeps them from falling out...

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[TommyBass]

Yes I have a friend who does this and it drives me crazy.... he always says it keeps it clean, which is partially true... but I would rather have dirty cork than an ugly clear plastic wrap with the manufactureres name wrote all over it. The rot thing is also true, it dosnt keep moisture out at all, as most are still open on the tops and bottoms. If anything it retards the evaporation and holds moisture to it, promoting rotting. I feel they are also alot slicker and provide less grip when wet when the plastic is left on. Basically 0 advantage for me to leave it on. I like the cork seal idea, may have to try that.

[.RM.]

TommyBass

I like the cork seal idea, may have to try that.

If your really interested, check out this article..

HOW TO CLEAN and SEAL YOUR CORK HANDLES!

Tight Lines!!!  

[coolhandlala]

does the u-40 cork sealer darken the cork like other store bought sealers, or does it leave it looking the same as it did when it was unsealed?

[Crestliner2008]

I totally agree with Reel Mechanic on this. Netcraft offers a similar cork sealer that I've had great success with as well. If you leave the plastic on, the cork will rot in time.

[chris fenk]

I leave it on.I like the way it feels for some reason.

[lubina]

does the u-40 cork sealer darken the cork like other store bought sealers, or does it leave it looking the same as it did when it was unsealed?

It is very clear, the color stays the same. I have it in all my rods

[Lucky Craft Man]

As soon as I get a rod, I remove the plastic and the wrap the handle with Rod Wrap.

[DINK WHISPERER]

My fishing buddy does this an it annoys the crap out of me! I take mine off as soon as i buy it. I kind of like th weathered look of the cork grips.  ;D