Do you ever get used to split grips?

[jbmaine]

I'm thinking of picking up a new spinning rod and it seems most rods now are split grip. I've tried them and don't really like them. They just don't feel right to me. However it seems the selection of full cork rods is kinda slim. So I'm wondering, do you get used to split grips? Or is it just more of a love hate thing.

                                                                   Thanks

                                                                         Jim

[DINK WHISPERER]

What is there to get use to? I own many of both kinds and they feel the same to me. Most of the time your hands are not in the middle section that is missing in a split grip anyways. And balance on just about any decent new rod is great in both split grip and full handle models as well.

[burrows]

Yes 

[Bankbeater]

For a few trips I went down to the local park with just a spinnerbait on a split grip rod.  After a while I finally started to get use to it.

[MickD]

Yes, one gets used to them. I actually prefer the feel of them as the knob gives me better grip on two hand casts than the full grip.  And I use full grip and split grips interchangeably on the same day and have no problems.  It's a personal thing, so I cannot be certain, but I expect if you try one soon you will be not even noticing it.

 

Similarly, until this year, for about 70 years, I had used BC reels with right hand cranks.  After a shoulder problem with some techniques I bought a left retrieve BC reel, and now it feels more natural than the right cranks.  

[GReb]

St. Croix offers both 

 

Basically every reel I fish now is split grip. But then again I never touch the grip while fishing so it doesn’t matter

[islandbass]

This is what I discovered about the split grip. It essentially feels like a full grip.  You hand will be in contact with the top half of the split grip and neither hand would frequently touch the uncovered section, even with a two-handed cast. At least for me. With a two-handed cast, I noticed that with my bottom hand, only two fingers are used. Weird, lol!

 

I am indifferent to either.  Besides, the fish don't know nor care.

[Brad in Texas]

All of the above!

 

I'd only add that, technically, your gripping hand where your fingers are split on each side of the reel support arm . . . should never move. It stays put . . . so it spends no time down on the grip.

 

Your reeling hand, of course, operates the reel handle, operates the anti-reverse lever, manages the bail and often makes adjustments to the drag knob. It, too, spends little time down on the grip. 

 

With my split grips, I am like the others where I drop my reeling hand down low for that added casting leverage. I make my cast and my hand comes back up immediately to manage the reel, the line going out.

 

Brad

[jbmaine]

thanks for the input everyone. I'll give split grips another look.

[FishDewd]

I prefer split grips for most applications, feels like I get better leverage when casting. Full grips I prefer when doing things like drifting. I have found most drift rods are full cork anyway.

[Angry John]

Spinning no issue at all, casting depends a lot on your style.  If you plam the real dont think it matters at all, I dont so the handle aft of the reel is important to me and no split.

[NYWayfarer]

I got used to them. They look sleek compared to full cork or foam grips.

 

[tander]

No. I don't like split grips. All of my rods, but one, are full cork handles. Maybe I just too old to change. The only rod that is split is my pitching rod. I throw all of my off shore fishing with two hands and I really like the way cork feels.

[FrankN209]

I have both. I can't tell any difference while using either of them. They both feel natural in my hands. 

[GateToWire]

Don't get used to it.....if you don't like it then go with a full grip.

I have 2 St. Croix spinning rods....one full grip and one split grip

There are so many choices out there you shouldn't have to compromise

[S Hovanec]

I can take them or leave them.  I actually prefer full cork grips because it gives me more of a canvas to do cool inlay work.  That being said, my favorite dropshot rods are split grip for the sole purpose of putting the weight keeper in the split behind the reel.

[Mobasser]

I have a split grip spin rod now. I've gotten used to it with no problem, But I still like my full cork grips better.

[JustJames]

I like split grip better just for the look, but doesn't matter full or split I don't use handle anyway. The most important is reel seat, I want low profile with a lot of bank exposed. I went back to fish some of my old rod with full Fuji reel seat and it huge and can't feel s thing with it.

[LionHeart]

Makes no difference to me at all.  One way or the other wouldn't even be considered if I were thinking about buying a rod.

[Tywithay]

I own two split grips and they never get used. I prefer a full handle, regardless of the material. 

[Choporoz]

I'm having difficulty getting used to my full-grips.

[MIbassyaker]

Seems to me if you have difficulty getting used to split grips, you should just fish full grips and not worry about it. Life is too short for that sort of hair-splitting.

[Johnbt]

I prefer full cork, but don't mind using split grips too much.

Sometimes though - most of the time? - there's just no choice no matter which you prefer. I ordered 2 Conquests Monday and the 843C only comes with full cork and the 843S only comes with a split grip. They'll be here tomorrow.  I'm old, Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me...  

 

Time for another night trip to avoid the 95*F weather and miserable humidity.

[Columbia Craw]

My preference is full rear grip but a split version is okay, especially on a spinning rod.

[NH-Fishin]

I have always used full grips but just ordered a split grip offering...I didn't give any thought to that being an issue, I guess we shall see. As others have said, St Croix offers a good mix of both.