Rod Handle Question, your preference please.

[SoInBassman]

Last weekend- Ky. Lake & Barkley Lake were full of Tournament anglers, it was neat to see the vast differences of rods used by the Pro's, and it sparked this conversation amongst a few of us, and got me thinking, that's why I'm asking your opinions.
* Spinning rods it seems split grips unanimously, but casting rods it seems divided?
So if you don't mind sharing your favorite handle configuration and why, I would appreciate it.
Thanks

[tholmes]

 I prefer a full cork grip on both casting and spinning rods, but I use several split-grip, both cork and EVA, and have no difficulties with either. 

It's not a deal-breaker for me.

Tom

[Drew03cmc]

Straight grips on my spinning rods and pistol grip casting rods. I am simply comfortable this way.

[buzzed bait]

i like the split grips as long as my hands can stay on the grip.  what i really care more about is the handle length, i like them shorter to fish out of the kayak a little easier.

[lakeannaangler]

I prefer cork split grips but I use Eva also. It is not a total deal breaker but that is what I prefer

[MDBowHunter]

I use only cork, and the majority of them are split grips. I do have a couple Avids that are full grips, I haven't really noticed any pros or cons either way besides a full grip is probably a tad heavier.

[crankbank]

I am in the same boat as tholmes.  I have rods of pretty much every type of grip design, it is definitely not a deal breaker.  If I could have them all the same, I would take the full grips on Dobyns Champions casting rods.

[hawgenvy]

I have several split grip and several full cork casting rods, and I don't notice any difference besides the appearance. The difference in appearance does help differentiate between rods at a glance when they are bunched up, so in that sense it's useful to have both.

[blckshirt98]

I have a hodgepodge mix of EVA/cork/split/full - while I haven't preferred one over another enough to influence a rod purchase, I do like the look of the split grips from an aesthetic point of view.  My one gripe with grips in general is that some rod makers try to go too minimal where above the reel seet there's no EVA or cork, just a hard plastic screw down.  This can get uncomfortable after fishing for a while especially on spinning rods.

[papajoe222]

I prefer cork, either straight or split handle. Long handle for cranks and pistol grip for most top waters. 

[dsqui]

1 hour ago, blckshirt98 said:

I have a hodgepodge mix of EVA/cork/split/full - while I haven't preferred one over another enough to influence a rod purchase, I do like the look of the split grips from an aesthetic point of view.  My one gripe with grips in general is that some rod makers try to go too minimal where above the reel seet there's no EVA or cork, just a hard plastic screw down.  This can get uncomfortable after fishing for a while especially on spinning rods.

im at the opposite end of this i prefer nothing after the real to really help feel everything that is happening down there with my lure.  given my choice i prefer eva like on the older carrot stix just felt comfortable but noone uses it so all my rods are cork.  looks wise ill take a split grip on my bass rods and full grip on my musky rods split on these makes the arm pit break out

[Steveo-1969]

I have rods with full cork, split cork and split EVA and I have no preference for any of them.  I do prefer a longer handle on all my rods though, spinning and casting.

(And my main spinning rod happens to be a full cork handle... ha-ha)

[BrianSnat]

I have split and full cork and prefer full cork, but don't hesitate to buy a split grip if the price and other features are right.

[Yudo1]

I have both but I'd prefer full cork.

[WIGuide]

I've got mostly cork split grips. I like the way they look and it doesn't really matter how they feel because my had really isn't on the grip since I palm my reels as far as baitcasters go, and my had is mostly on the reel seat on spinning reels. 

[James Pondscum]

  Most of my rods are cork but I have no problem with EVA .  What I do have a problem with are split grips that are too short and my hand lays off the grip.  I had three rods converted to full grip because the grips are too short on one brand. Another brand their split grips are just fine.

[bigturtle]

I like Fenwick's rubberized cork grips over anything else in the market.

[Rich in Co]

I have split, full, cork, eva, I have never been able to find a performance difference if I like the rod it goes in the rotation.

[tstraub]

I get most of my rods used or on clearance sales so I don't really shop for my favorite handle I just get whatever the deal is.  I have rods of all different types.  I don't really care at all between cork and EVA foam they are both fine. I have a slight preference for split grip over full but that's mostly just because I like the looks of a split grip.  Handle length is the only thing I really do have a strong preference on.  I like a shorter handle for casting rods.  I cast one handed 95% of the time so I just don't feel I benefit from a long handle.  A shorter handle makes the total rod length shorter and it's easier to transport and store a shorter rod.

[crypt]

cork or eva it really doesn't matter. being that I've been making my own rods lately I like a shorter handle than most. split or full length don't matter either.

[fishnkamp]

It is funny for years I purchased only full cork handled rods. Then during a vacation in Tennessee and i found myself needing to purchase a rod and my best choice for the technique had a split cork grip.  I found I loved it so most of my newer rods have them. Recently I had a problem with the reel seat and plastic locking rings loosening up on a new G Loomis IMX rod.  I bit the bullet and had a super talented rod builder strip the reel seat and handle. i had him change the handle to a split grip assembly from Winn.  We also used an American Tackle comfort reel seat.  The difference in that rod made me go have him change several of my Loomis's the same way.  If you have not seen and felt a  rod with Winn grips you need to.  I fished my first rod for days during our trip on Dale Hollow Lake this spring. 

[Darren.]

For me, I can use either/or.

But I prefer cork. Doesn't really matter
if split or full. Something about the feel
of cork that I like.

Again, if the rod is right and doesn't have
cork, it is not a deal breaker.

[SoInBassman]

Thanks for all the input so far, it's great to hear others perspective and to see what makes us buy one rod over the other. So to switch gears a little bit. If it's not the handle or grip, then what is the major factor in your decision when buying a Brand New Rod. The blank, guides, length, brand, cost, etc.

At the FLW event there were all sorts of rods from $100 off the shelf to full blown customs costing $700+ and up built to that Pros liking specs & technique. A lot of us were talking and there is a group of anglers that are making decisions based on rod performance, and then there is a group that seem to just fish whatever is given to them or available at the time.

  Anyway thanks again for the input, it's very informative to hear others thoughts & opinions. 

 

[faygo1979]

For me it is a combination. No one thing really makes or breaks a rod for me.  

I like some reel seats more than others.  For spinning I look for an aero seat, Winn grips and microwave guides.  Because I use braid a lot I like guides with inserts to keep it quiet.  I also do not want the rod to be too tip heavy. That is about it for aesthetics.  The rest is the weight ratings and characteristics of

[blckshirt98]

18 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

i had him change the handle to a split grip assembly from Winn.  We also used an American Tackle comfort reel seat.  The difference in that rod made me go have him change several of my Loomis's the same way.  If you have not seen and felt a  rod with Winn grips you need to.  I fished my first rod for days during our trip on Dale Hollow Lake this spring. 

 

I've been hoping to get a Winn grip rod but none of the rods I fish use them (yet).  The first time I gripped a golf club with Winn grips I immediately asked what kind of grips they were, they felt THAT good.  Really hope more rod manufacturers use those grips, but I also hope they're durable (the golf grips get worn down fairly quickly).