Egghead

Personally I like cork,for jigging and casting. I feel there more sensitive. Troll doesn't matter except a rod holders can mess up the cork. What's your take.???

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

I've always been a cork man myself. Just love the way it feels. Just feels "old school" if you will. IDK.

GlennMc928 Loc: Tualatin OR

I like cork as it feels better and it is easy to clean.

MadMac Loc: Marion (in Grant County) Indiana

I like cork if I'm going to be holding the " rod.

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

All my rods are cork, they just feel good in hand!

Wv mike Loc: Parkersburg area. Wv

Cork it’s not as slick when it gets wet helps when throwing bigger lures.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

Cork is less durable and has less longevity than foam, and is harder to keep clean. It is also much more expensive. EVA foam handles are generally cheaper than cork but they're also much more durable. Where a cork handle might dent or even chip when mistreated, a foam handle remains intact.

Raw Dawg Ron Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Cork has best feel for bites and foam holds up well in rod holders! New foam touted to feel like cork?

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Other than cork tape I've only used cork for one rod. What I really like is the flocked shrink tubes. I build up the blank with paracord in the size I want in either a spiral or cross pattern then slide the tube over it and shrink it. Great nonslip butt that stands up to anything. Foregrips are EVA.

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

Cork.....my only rods with EVA are used for trolling.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

I generally prefer cork, but had
one bad experience some years back; with cork handles, make damn sure the rod blank (shaft) goes all the way through to the butt end ! I had one literally break apart in my hand because there was no interior support; the shaft only went HALFWAY through the handle ! Lesson learned !

Egghead

Big A I've seen that slot on store bought rods. I've fixed a bunch of rods for people because if that. That's what's nice about making my own fishing poles. I know what's inside and what it takes to make them sensitive.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

That happened quite a while
back, but I never forgot it ! Ever since then I've been checking
on the 'net' to see if the manufacturer of any cork-
handled rod I'm interested in
has a full-length rod blank or
falls short of the mark !

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I prefer cork, have foam.. it's ok, but unlike cork, totally un-repairable. With cork, it's relatively easy to cut and patch, using a wine cork and waterproof woodglue. PM me for details, if necessary. Additionally, cork can easily be "refreshed" by a light sanding with 120g or150g sandpaper, (I don't recommend using either more coarse or finer grits...100 and less - too big of scratches..dirt catchers.....finer grits than 150g and you get too slick to grip.), as well as being able to "shape", should you wish to have a thumb spot or such. Do be sure to careful not to scratch the reelseat rings (I usually mask them off). I also would suggest to "clean" with lengthwise strokes and then finish by rolling the handle while cupping the sandpaper lightly, leaving tiny "cross rings"...killer grip ability.
I have tried to fix an Eva grip that had a "flap" from a snag...sorta glued back right... not proud of the result. Had another that had a chunk missing.... settled for a half-ass "fill" job glued in and covered the thing with spendy handle wrap.... well, at least I no longer have to look at it !

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Forgot to mention an absolutely strange discovery I had lately. Found two of my trolling rods, in my boat, were sitting in 2" of water for some time, not the reel, just the butt. Long story as to why there was water, at all...later, ...maybe.
Pissed me off, but no harm done... it's cork and plastic and graphite... just dry it thoroughly, it'll be fine. Took them in to the shop and set them in the path of the small heater, 6-8 feet away. Went to the shop the next morning...wtf ? These are Mitchell rods, mind you... reputable company, huh ? Those S.O.B.'s have put A VENEER OF CORK,....CORK CONTACT PAPER, IF YOU WILL,... ON THE HANDLE AND THE BITCHES ARE NOW SHRIVELED AND PEELING !!!? Not been that disappointed in a company since the late '70's, when we had a furniture manufacturer ship us "butcher block" top tables, that had the same scam going. Just be aware, as I know most avid fly fishermen and others are...all cork is not equal by any stretch of the imagination...lots of "inferior cork", "lesser-grade" cork, and apparently fake cork. Shame on them. No more Mitchell rods for me..... but I still love my 300's, 301's etc.... even the newer ones.