Split Handle Or Full Handle

[sparky241]

What is the advantage to a split handle rod verses a full handle? Which do you prefer and why? I have the full handle versions and I like them so far

[Capt.Bob]

All my rods have full handles, I bought 2 St. Croix Extreme's last year for a real good price, in a months time both had full cork handles, to me they just feel right and look finished!

Before.

 

After

 

The big thing is with the MHM when I have a bigger fish, it is much more comfortable tucked under your forearm  when you are using it for leverage to help fight a larger fish. Which would you prefer,,,,,,,,

[aavery2]

I prefer full cork in my jig rods, and crankbait rods, other than that I kinda like the look of a split grip and they don't bother me. 

[SirSnookalot]

Just a matter of preference, mine is not a split grip.  I have 1 split grip rod being an 8 foot medium the butt and foregrip are ample, a big asset in fighting some of my inshore species.  Regardless of species size I would not own a rod without a foregrip, an absolute must for me, I can get away with a little shorter butt.

[Tywithay]

Full grip for me. I can't find any advantage to a split grip. You get weight savings, but it's in the wrong place, so it doesn't matter.

[Tim Kelly]

I prefer a split grip as, when I build my own rods I like to put the hook keeper in the area between the handles so they don't snag the line when I'm "banjoing" a lure off a snag. With the keeper in the traditional place in front of the reel seat the slack line snapped when banjoing always seems to wrap itself round the keeper. If I am building a rod fro treble hooked baits I don't care either way and don't fit a keeper as the butt ring or reel are perfectly good places to keep the lure when not in use.

[*Hootie]

Have both but I lean toward full grip. However, if I like the rod, the handle doesn't play a part in my decision.

Hootie

[0119]

Full grip. I hardly use my LTB's because of the tiny bulbous rear grip.  Feels like I'll drop the rod every time I throw it.  Im starting to have a preference for quality foam now too.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Full grip. I hardly use my LTB's because of the tiny bulbous rear grip.  Feels like I'll drop the rod every time I throw it.  Im starting to have a preference for quality foam now too.

X2 on LTB if the grip is too small thats no good. Its also another gripe I have with the overhyped *** black rod. The dia is off and cork portion too short. 

 

My favorite casting has split my favorite spinning has full. The style doesnt make a difference to me just its attributes.

[Raul]

I have both and swear i don't feel any difference at all.

[Maico1]

Either one works for me as long as it has a reel on it.

[0119]

Either one works for me as long as it has a reel on it.

Wait till the bait monkey invents Bass Tenkara!  Then we'll all be jumping on that band wagon ...........

[Maico1]

Funny you say that but back when I was a youngster I was blessed with a neighbor who built Bamboo Fly Rods . Lucky for me he taught me how to use a Fly Rod and one of the things we would do was to go down to the local lake with poppers for the bass. What a blast and of course they seamed to be such a long rod to use back then.

[F14A-B]

Really prefer a full cork.... That said... The split grip of loomis rods are the most comfortable in a. Split grip for me... But... I will take a full cork any day over split

[F14A-B]

All my rods have full handles, I bought 2 St. Croix Extreme's last year for a real good price, in a months time both had full cork handles, to me they just feel right and look finished!

Before.

After

The big thing is with the MHM when I have a bigger fish, it is much more comfortable tucked under your forearm when you are using it for leverage to help fight a larger fish. Which would you prefer,,,,,,,,

I bet those rods can really be fished proper now!

Looks great! Very nice now!

[BassCats]

I prefer a split grip. I feel I get a better grip when casting with the split.

[robster80]

ive grown to like the split better myself

[Capt.Bob]

 

 

I bet those rods can really be fished proper now!

Looks great! Very nice now!

Yes they can, they balance perfect now, they were way tip heavy,,, but with the full cork, especially the heavier rubberized dark rings used to add better balance, and why the 6'10" MXF the lighter shorter rod with the lighter Team Pro reel used a smaller diameter profile and less Rubberized cork rings, and the 7"2" MHM used more and bigger diameter rings, it got them almost perfect but the internal balancing in the extreme rear of the but made them perfect without moving the reel seat and extending the rear grip. I am blessed with a very talented rod builder!!!!

 

Off subject but the other thing I got with these newer rods was RECOIL Guide's, the ugliest guides on earth, but I have to say out of all my rods Loomis IMX GLX Croix Elite Avid Extreme, these are the most sensative rods I ever fished with. I think the RECOIL guides had a lot to do with that, and that is why the Rod I am building this year is being built with Recoil Guides. 

[F14A-B]

I couldn't agree more about the Recoils... I like them.. And.. They are ugly... But I also like the Pacbay minimas... What's wrong with us!??! Lol!

[Capt.Bob]

It's all about searching for perfection,,,,,,I mean what do we really need to catch a stink'n predator, that is ions behind our intelligences,,,,,,even mine,,,,,

[21farms]

another recoil guide fan here...i absolutely love them and can't figure why so many people complain about them.

 

to the OP, i like both split- and full-grip...i have plenty of both. my problem with split grip rods is that the trend seems to be for them to get skinnier and skinner.

 

capt.bob, i like the full-handle conversion...looks great and i bet they feel great too.

[skeletor6]

It largely comes down to preference. I tend to side with the Split Grip for the weight savings and added blank exposure. If you assume a blanks at its maximum efficiency when it's bare, all added items will decrease it's efficiency to an extent. The more efficient (strength/weight) the added items are (guides, reel, seat grip, etc.) The more efficient the entire setup. However, if the grip leads to poor balance and is uncomfortable then sacrificing efficiency to achieve higher comfortability becomes a preferential issue.

[smalljaw67]

I always like a split grip, my one custom spinnerbait rod I had made was built in the late 90s with a split grip, it just feels better to me especially when I make roll casts.

[Jeff H]

I don't mind the split grips on rods that I use for single hand casting, but if I am throwing with both hands I prefer the full handle.  On spinning rods it doesn't matter to me at all.

[Missourifishin]

I own both. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter to me, because I like both equally and I can switch back and forth between the two with no problems.