It's becoming harder and harder to find rods with cork in front of the reel seat. I grip the rod in front of the reel with 3 fingers and hold the line between my thumb and index finger. This is a throwback to learning to fish with a spincasting reel as a kid, but I think it gives better feel on a strike. A rod I want has nothing in front of the reel seat. I'm looking for a way to build up this rod in front of the reel. Am looking at rod tape. Wonder what others have done. Thanks.