Question about a new Crucial Rod

[JimiJohnB]

With much lighter pockets I walked out of BPS this am with a Curado D 101 (first baitcaster) and a Crucial 7"0 MH Trigger rod.  I received the Curado D 100 as a gift but needed to exchang it for the 101 (my left handed father taught his right handed son to fish lefty with a spinning reel).  Read good reviews of the Crucial rods on this forum and swayed by what sounds like a pretty awesome lifetime warranty I sprang some bucks for the rod. 

Anyways - I got the rod home and pulled the protective plastic off the cork.  The foregrip cork is soft and smooth, but the butt end cork feels pretty rough and gritty in places.  When I look close it's almost like gaps in the cork rings were filled in with a cork-colored gritty cement, but this could be completely wrong and just the cork itself.  Is this normal?  If it's the cork and will smooth out with 1-2 uses I'm not going to fool with it.

[Beagle]

I'm going tommorrow yo get the same rod. If you question it, take it back.

[RustyJ]

I haven't noticed any rough handles on my Crucials. Of course, I have rough hands (from all the fish...LOL). If it isn't to your satisfaction, take it back. Personally, I'd probably leave it rough for better grip and control.

You're gonna LOVE that rod especially when you've used it for a while, then pick up another.

[Benthook120]

The person you need to talk with is Warpath. He's a good friend of mine and he is all about the Crucials Rods. I'd ask him if thats normal for that rod to come out of the package that way. Hope this helps.

[beast96z]

I didn't notice any of that on mine, but I got the split handle. If it looks unreliable or your questioning it, just go get another. Either way, you'll love the rod.

[Ron Fogelson]

That is not the norm!

The Corks use those Rods and I'm working on changing over all mine to them as well.  They are light, strong, smooth sensitive and with the warranty you just can't go wrong.  Take it back and look over the next one before departing BPS.

[BIG PAPA]

They are good rods but I have a couple like that, I cannot be sure but it does appear that they use a filler of some kind on the grips to fill in some imperfections.
You should really like the rod they are very sensitive and appear to be well made, I like mine a lot.

[Rick from Lafayette]

My boat is loaded with Crucial rods and every one of them has the best Portugese cork I've ever seen on a rod. I used to use St. Croix, fine rods also, but the quality of the Crucial is equal to the St. Croix's top of the line and less expensive.

[Warpath]

Thanks for the plug Sean!  Maybe someday when about 85,000 Shimano pro staffers pass away, maybe Mike, Laurie, and I can get on their staff.   


JJB, I'd have to go look, but that does not sound like the norm like Fogy is speaking of.  All mine seem to be smooth as a baby's bottom.  I'll check when I get home, but I have 8 Crucials of varying sizes, and I can't think of one that I thought had a rough cork handle. 

I couldn't see myself paying $100 for a BPS Extreme rod (still ancie rod) with a one year warranty, when I could spend $130-$160 for a lifetime warranty and lighter, more sensitive rod. 

Next rod and reel will be a Core-Cumara set-up!  I'm double dip Shimano, nothing against any other rod/reel manufacturer but I have had zero issues with my Shimanos (partially becuase I clean my reels, and repairs go to Mr. Cork).  My b-day is the end of January, so I hope my wife either reads this, or you guys start a fund for me.



Eric

[Mike Cork]

Not sure exactly what you are experiencing with this rod but it definitely doesn't sound right. Just to be safe I would take it back and exchange it. I have over a dozen of the crucials in varying lengths and powers and love them all and have never seen what you are explaining?