Split - Grip Rods : Love 'em Or Hate 'em ?

[ChrisD46]

I only own one split - grip rod , a short 6' M action casting rod I use for twitch baits where I am constantly working the rod tip down towards the water .

My casting rods for spinner baits , jigs , flipping / pitching and worms all have full length cork handles . What's your opinion on split - grip rods ? If you own any - what technique do you favor them for ?

[Tywithay]

I can't stand them. There are a handful that are done well, but most seem like a means of cutting cost.

[Jrob78]

Love em. They suit my casting style really well.

[ChrisD46]

I believe a rod that is not designed to be split - grip rod up front all too often ends up being tip heavy .

Most full length grip rods under $150 ~ $200 seem to balance better in the hand.

[*Hootie]

I have both and it don't make a great difference to me. But if I had to choose, I would have to go with the full grip.

Hootie

[edfitzvb]

I have both. The vast majority are full grips but a split grip is not a deal breaker for me.

[Crestliner2008]

I have no preference between them. However, having some engineering experience, I do not believe there is any mechanical advantage to splitting the grip. I think it is merely a ploy by rod manufacturers to change the look and increase sales. Simply a gimmick IMO.

[Arv]

Don't care. I have both full and split. As long as the rod is built well it doesn't bother me

[BrianinMD]

Don't care, have both and it doesn't make any difference.

[Grantman83]

Depends on the application. Tip up, I prefer full grip for balance. Tip down, I can go either way. That's why it's great that some guys like dobyns and now the shimano crucial offer both options for most rods. Do you want balance or lightness?

[roadwarrior]

On 7/18/2014 at 3:40 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

I have no preference between them. However, having some engineering experience, I do not believe there is any mechanical advantage to splitting the grip. I think it is merely a ploy by rod manufacturers to change the look and increase sales. Simply a gimmick IMO.

 

But I do think split grips have a "cool factor". My daughter thinks I'm old and un-hip, but she might be wrong!

 

 

[sparky241]

I like both but I prefer split grip

[smalljaw67]

One of my customs I had made in the early 90s is a split grip because I liked them before they became popular. I do a lot of roll casting to targets and the split grips is a lot better for me when doing this but if a rod is really good it doesn't matter as a full grip is fine too.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The original theory behind a split grip was consistent placement of the rear hand for two handed casting. On production rods nowadays it's all about style and materials. 6" of quality cork can easily run up the cost of a rod by $20+

[OkobojiEagle]

The original theory behind a split grip was consistent placement of the rear hand for two handed casting. On production rods nowadays it's all about style and materials. 6" of quality cork can easily run up the cost of a rod by $20+

 

 

I prefer a split grip on spinning rods, but my preference isn't as strong on casting rods.

 

 

oe

[crankbank]

I have both, and like a lot of the guys, it does not matter to me.  It would never be a deal breaker for me when looking at a particular rod.

[fishballer06]

I think it all depends on the rod, and the application of it. I personally really like the feel of a split grip more, and I like it a lot better while making my cast as well. However, I feel like a split grip handle on most rods that are 7'+ makes them unbalanced, and that a full grip is better for those longer rods. In the end, it's all personal preference. 

[Hogsticker]

I don't care for them. All of my rods are full grip. If I HAD to have a rod with split grips, it would be a spinning rod. 

[Rivers Edge]

Both work well for me.

[NathanW]

Full grip rods are starting to feel clunky and overweight. I still have a couple I love, both are Lamiglass Certified Pro rods. But I do not use them for chucking and winding. One is drop shot and one is a flipping stick.

 

Anything that requires lots of casting, especially long overhead casts  (deep crankbaits), needs to be split grip. Split grip makes it easier to grip the but of the rod while casting.

 

Also, if rod manufacturers are tryign to split the grips to save costs I am all for that! As long as they dont go cheap on the blank!

[Mike L]

Don't care. I have both full and split. As long as the rod is built well it doesn't bother me

Agree

Mike

[ThatZX14Fella]

It doesn't matter to me really. I mainly just want cork handle rods, whether it's split grip or full grip, I don't care. They still do their job and catch me fish. Maybe I don't care because I don't really have the money to be picky, but it's pretty much personal preference.

[Montanaro]

I get better hand placement and grip on rear split grip when making roll casts.

Otherwise I don't care. I probably prefer split if I had to choose

[Raul]

Don't care, have both and it doesn't make any difference.

 

Count me in !

[TNBassin']

I love split grip rods, especially if they have EVA on them.