Rear grip and fore grip lengths pros/cons

[TexasRig88]

I’ve got so much to learn, any who I’ve been looking at rods in general online and noticed Some have longer and shorter rear grip lengths. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a shorter or longer rear grip? Same question goes for the fore grip length.
 

I might as well ask some more questions since were talkin handles ?.

 

pros and cons on split grips? How about the full handle grips?

 

All valid information is appreciated! 

[Spankey]

I guess rods handles, grips types, butt lengths and foregrips are personal preference. 
 

I prefer full cork over split grip. But I do fish some split grips. I’d rather use cork over EVA, but the foam handles are better today than 30 years ago. I have a couple of Abu Rods that are foam and I like the rods very much. I like a rod with some fore grip section, I don’t want a rod that has threads showing in the fore grip. I keep a finger tip on the blank. The longer handles are great to lay along your forearm. Can’t imagine a 7 foot + rod with a short handle. You don’t see many rods around with pistol grips to them. That’s ok by me because I never really liked them all that much. I’ve never used a rod with that rod wrap material built into the handle. I’d like to try it. Will have to go feel a bunch of them and see if I’d like one. 
 

I think it is what you get use to and like. I think better rod manufacturers have it engineered correctly for handle lengths. A $9.00 Wally World Special, I’m not sure what your gonna get with one like that. But not to say that $9.00 rod can’t catch a 9 lb. bass. 

[NOC 1]

just a couple of things for starters. the length of the rear grip can depend on a couple of things. First is the intended use of the rod. If it is intended to be a jerk-bait rod or a slash bait rod it will probably have a short rear grip as the longer grip will get in the way. In other cases the grip length is longer on bigger heavier longer rods in order to help the rod balance.

 

Split grip can also factor in balancing the rod The full cork grips are heavier and would destroy the balance of say a shorter Light powered rod. Usually with fishing rods the weight is a huge consideration. Companies go to great lengths to shave fractions of ounces off of a rod or reels weight and people pay hundreds of dollars for them to do that.But sometimes it's simply a matter of some people prefer the full handle and will take the extra weight.

 

The fore grip is not needed on casting rods and for the most part has disappeared on the better quality rods. It is important on spinning rods though because most people put the leg of the reel between their fingers and hold the rod there. So on a spinning rod the fore grip is actually the handle. Some spinning rods have almost eliminated the rear handle.

[Catt]

Pretty much what @Spankey said ?

 

Long handles are better when using two hands when casting. Short handles are better with "jerk" type retrieves.

 

I was a die hard full grip handles but have came to realize it's added weight.

 

Fore grip is added weight as well, it also dampens sensitivity.

 

My personal preference is Winn Grips and then quality cork.  You can't run fast enough to give me EVA!

[Tywithay]

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

Pretty much what @Spankey said ?

 

Long handles are better when using two hands when casting. Short handles are better with "jerk" type retrieves.

 

I was a die hard full grip handles but have came to realize it's added weight.

 

Fore grip is added weight as well, it also dampens sensitivity.

 

My personal preference is Winn Grips and then quality cork.  You can't run fast enough to give me EVA!

Winn grips will dampen vibrations more than a couple grams of added weight, especially weight in the butt section which will improve balance. Shock absorption is part of the reason the grips were invented in the first place. 

[Catt]

45 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

Winn grips will dampen vibrations

 

I do not feel for vibration through the handle, I feel for vibration where my fingers touch the rod in front of the grip.

 

 

 

[Todd2]

I like a fore grip and have been holding it this way during a retrieve for a long time. Just seems natural to me..line between fingers..fingers on blank. If this is wrong, I don't wanna be right..lol.

[MickD]

Winns are probably lighter than cork, especially burl cork, and since sensitivity (if you can define it) is related to weight (lower weight =  higher sensitivity) they are probably more sensitive than cork.  With regard to sensitivity, I think we are splitting hairs.   The Winns certainly offer a secure, comfortable grip.  

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, Todd2 said:

I like a fore grip and have been holding it this way during a retrieve for a long time. Just seems natural to me..line between fingers..fingers on blank. If this is wrong, I don't wanna be right..lol.

 

don't know that there is a right and wrong, more of whether it is the current fashion or not. I have some older rods that have a generous fore grip. As time goes on they have shrunk. As reels get lighter, the rods are all about shaving weight. Most all of the rods I've bought lately have no fore grip just thread covers.

[mrpao]

On a casting rod, the fore grip is unnecessary. It just add weight and bulk in front of the reel. I just prefer a nice locking nut.

[Efishin]

5 hours ago, Todd2 said:

I like a fore grip and have been holding it this way during a retrieve for a long time. Just seems natural to me..line between fingers..fingers on blank. If this is wrong, I don't wanna be right..lol.

Lol. No idea how you hold it like that as it looks so uncomfortable but your line if this is wrong, I dont want to be right is CLASSIC! LOL 

[Todd2]

11 minutes ago, Efishin said:

Lol. No idea how you hold it like that as it looks so uncomfortable but your line if this is wrong, I dont want to be right is CLASSIC! LOL 

Lol, feels normal to me. Now I'm wondering how everybody else holds a BC while fishing plastics. I never gave it much thought. On a Spinning reel just the index finger hits the blank for me. 

[Spankey]

5 hours ago, Todd2 said:

I like a fore grip and have been holding it this way during a retrieve for a long time. Just seems natural to me..line between fingers..fingers on blank. If this is wrong, I don't wanna be right..lol.

That how I live bait fish for trout with 2# and 4# test. Not really for bass. 

To OP not much in the way of rights and wrongs. Just a matter of how you fish. Personal thing. What feel you like. And a rod don’t mean crap for feel if a reel ain’t on it. 

[Bankc]

5 hours ago, Todd2 said:

I like a fore grip and have been holding it this way during a retrieve for a long time. Just seems natural to me..line between fingers..fingers on blank. If this is wrong, I don't wanna be right..lol.

That's the way I was raised.  And while I don't always fish like that, I do wish more rods had that grip in the front so that I could.  There are some advantages to holding the rod that way and there's no real disadvantage (that I can see) to having an unused front grip on a rod.

[TexasRig88]

Thanks everybody for the input definitely gave me some insight. Never thought to have a feel on the blank, will try this out soon enough!

[MickD]

For spin rods, if you want to get the fingers to the blank easily, comfortably, build your spin rod up-locking and turn a ramp about 1 inch long and the same diameter (or just under if you are going to coat it, just under allows the seat hood to provide a shoulder to finish against).  Burl cork is good since it is tough and denser than regular cork.  Reel seat shims are very good, can be easily turned by "screwing" a drill bit into the 1/4 in hole and turning it on a drill press.  They machine VERY rapidly, so be aware of this.  They also are fragile until coated with something like wrap epoxy, so be careful in handling and reaming and fitting to the blank.  They can be painted with hardware store paint.  I put a matching one of the seat thread diameter on the rear, but it's mostly for looks, not function.  The pic is one done with green burl cork, coated with wrap epoxy.  I use the Fuji DPSSD deluxe seat size 17, very comfortable, bullet-proof.  

[galyonj]

On 7/16/2020 at 8:01 AM, Tywithay said:

Winn grips will dampen vibrations more than a couple grams of added weight, especially weight in the butt section which will improve balance. Shock absorption is part of the reason the grips were invented in the first place. 

I have two rods with Winn grips, and they're just so comfortable. Too thin a grip makes my hand cramp.