I'm buying a new reel handle on my swimbait set up. Ive never used Cork knobs before but I like the weight savings and im a huge fan of cork.rod handles. My Question is what are the pros.and cons over cork/rubber. Are these cork knobs going to flake and pit like cork rod handles. Also can they handle the torque of swimbaits over time. I use cork seal on my.rods but don't know if id like that on my handle as they tend to make it a little more slick.

i'm pretty sure most aftermarket cork knobs are sealed. though i'm not sure how long they last or hold up with typical wear and tear

I use cork knobs. Not sealed by me - they show no pitting. Color gets a little darker - that's all. The feel, wet or dry, is what I'm in for! Fantastic. Makes rubber feel very crude...

 

Karl

I have this exact Daiwa Tatula CT- CS import model and has plastic type coating on the cork knobs. They don't get dirty at all and have had no issues with mine. I wish I would have purchased more of these reel models, they are one of my favorite reels I own.

 

4 hours ago, yellowcard129 said:

I'm buying a new reel handle on my swimbait set up. Ive never used Cork knobs before but I like the weight savings and im a huge fan of cork.rod handles. My Question is what are the pros.and cons over cork/rubber. Are these cork knobs going to flake and pit like cork rod handles. Also can they handle the torque of swimbaits over time. I use cork seal on my.rods but don't know if id like that on my handle as they tend to make it a little more slick.

It's personal preference, feel what you like, I am reasonably new to swimbaiting as well, only caught a few small handful on larger swimbaits, but the best advice I can give you right now is focus on the major parts of the setup over slight nuances, (line test, floro/braid, hook size and strength, etc) I have already had multiple swimbait heartbreaks using the wrong equipment and I promise you the last thing you will be thinking about is your handle when you are landing a swimbait fish, or loosing it.

I have two reels with cork knobs and found that I prefer the rubber septon knobs after extensive use.  The cork starts to smooth out and becomes slick and hard.

Personally I hate them