Fishing rods with cork handles are evergreen and they’ll never go out of fashion. Plenty of modern carp rods use cork as a handle material. Regardless of whether you use 12ft or 13ft rods, 2 piece or 3 piece rods, almost all types and lengths of rods can be found in editions with cork rod handles. They look slick and stylish, but they must be maintained properly. Read on and learn how to look after cork handle rods in 5 easy steps.
Why Is It Important to Look After Cork Handles Rods?
Although cork as a material is very resistant and durable, it’s still a natural component which means that through time, it can deteriorate. Logically, if not maintained properly, cork handles and cork grips will get very dirty and damaged to the point where chunks of cork will start falling out from the bottom of the rod to the reel seat.
However, with proper care, you can make sure your handles will keep a fresh look for a long time and that your fishing experience remains the same through years of usage. The following five steps will help you understand the process of looking after cork handle rods. I think this is something that every fellow angler must know because these steps can be used on both carp and fly rod corks.
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Cleaning and Restoring Materials
This is what you’ll need to clean your handle:
- Bowl of water
- Clean rag or a piece of cloth
- Bucket (filled with warm water)
- Some dish washing soap
- Magic eraser – The Eraser can be either a branded one or any you can find in your local store
Once you are done with the cleaning, it’s time to restore your handle to its previous shape. This is what you’ll need:
- Wood filler
- Cork sealant
- Foam brush
Step 2: Remove Dirt and Grime From the Cork Handles
It’s time to start cleaning. First, dip your magic eraser into the water and once you are done, brush off the excess water from the eraser. Now just scrub the handle. Don’t be afraid to press a bit harder, especially on extra dirty cork handles. Keep in mind that your handles can have stains from fish slime, ground bait food, dips, dirt, and plenty of other stuff on them. In some extreme cases, it may be necessary to apply rubbing alcohol as well. Keep rubbing until all of the built-up dirt is gone and the cork once more has its natural color.
Step 3: Deep Clean the Cork Handles for Optimal Results
Now that you cleaned the surface dirt, it’s time to get rid of the one that is deeply in the pores of the handle. An effective method for this includes a bucket filled with warm water and a bit of soap. One drop of dish soap in the bucket will create enough soapy water to soak the handle. Just dip the rod handle in it and let it soak for a couple of hours. Just make sure the bucket is big enough so that the entire cork handle can fit inside.
After a couple of hours, remove the rods from the bucket and do a clean water rinse. You’ll notice your cork grips are now perfectly clean and any traces of dirt that remained after step 2 are now gone.
Step 4: Restore the Cork Handles
I briefly mentioned chunks of cork that will fall out of your handle as time goes on. But, that can be repaired with ease! Now that your handle is nice and clean, it’s time to restore it to its original condition.
Grab your wood filler, it can be any brand out there, just try and buy it in a color that matches the cork on your handle. Apply a layer of wood filler everywhere it’s needed. Since filler is basically a paste, it can fill everything, no matter how big or small it is. I use my fingers to apply it.
Once you covered everything. Let the filler dry and do a light sanding afterward. Sanding can be done with a high-grit paper. Lastly, use cork sealant such as U-40 and spread it evenly on the handle using a foam brush (tooth brush can be a nice alternative).
Again, let the sealant dry and check the final result. You’ll be amazed at how good it looks!
Step 5: Suggestions for How to Look After Cork Handle Rods
- Store the rods properly
Always keep your rods in bags and store them in a dry area. Don’t leave them out in the rain or sun for prolonged periods. Also, make sure there are no rodents either. I heard more than once that a rodent ate a piece of handle. - Regularly inspect for damage
Deterioration can cause some damage to your handle without you even noticing it. Take a close look at your handles whenever you can and ensure any damage is repaired as soon as possible. - Clean handles after each fishing trip
I understand this can be a hassle and you won’t always feel like cleaning after a fishing trip. Especially if you struck out, but in the long run, your rods will thank you. At the very least, just dip the magic eraser in the water and brush your handle a bit. All it takes is a couple of minutes and you’ll save yourself hours you would need to clean and restore a neglected handle.
That’s all! I hope you learned how to look after cork handle rods and that from this point forward, your rods will get the care they deserve. Tight lines my fellow anglers!