What is the point of split grip rods?

[BDCRods]

Does anyone know when the first split grip Rods were born?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Split grips originated with custom builders like a lot of innovations.  If memory serves around early 90s and credited to Dale Clemons. The intent was to aid two hand casting with a better , more consistent grip on the bottom. In modern production rods I argue the motivation is saving money on grip materials especially cork regardless of the marketing claims. Style always plays a role in design too. 

[dodgeguy]

At first I didn't like them because with earlier rod technology it made the balance more tip heavy. Then Falcon came along with the Bucoo rod and I picked one up and couldn't believe how light and balanced it felt. I bought 2 and since then I'm hooked on split grips. Today's blank technology is so advanced there is no reason for rods to be heavy or severely unbalanced.

[Deleted account]

Don't know when or where they originated, but I remember first seeing them in the early 80s in salt water rods. 

[Jigfishn10]

I actually thought it was in the mid-90's due to degrading cork quality?

[BrianMDTX]

I did not like split grips at first but have come to prefer them. 

[padlin]

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

Don't know when or where they originated, but I remember first seeing them in the early 80s in salt water rods. 

I bought one for surf casting many years ago, I figured it was just a way to make them cheaper, instead of 18" of cork, but it might have been for weight savings.

[cottny27]

On 8/17/2007 at 9:17 AM, Lucky Craft Man said:

Forgive me for my ignorance on rod design, but how does a split grip improve the fulcrum point? I would assume that be decreasing the weight behind the reel seat by removing weight (i.e., less cork), the balance point would be shifted further up the rod away from the reel seat (but the fulcrum point where you are holding the rod wouldn't change). This shift in the balance point would increase the amount of "resistance" you are pulling against to set the hook (which is why tip heavy rods feel uncomfortable - at least to me they do). I try to balance all my rods so the neutral balance point if right where my hand position is on the reel. The rods that are perfectly balance at this point feel lighter then rods that are actually lighter, but aren't perfectly balanced at the reel seat. I assume I am wrong here, since I have no rod building experience and being that I highly respect the Reel Mech, I am hoping you can explain this to me. Thanks.

Exactly this.  Plus, balanced rods are so much nicer to cast, fish. 

[cyclops2]

Baby salt water rods ?   O K   I can see it for those who just can not cast EASILY far enough. With practice,   retrieves & fighting the fish would be made easier,   for those needing more leverage.

[MAN]

Balance shouldn't be off on a split grip purely because it is a split grip. Placement of the reel seat will balance, and if a desired width of split is a must (having a whole series match up exactly) a counter weight is used inside the buttcap where necessary. Then some choose to balance according to point of sell (no reel) and some set it to balance ~6-7ounce reel. 

[gim]

I have noticed that a couple of my rods with split grip cork do not have any cork in front of the reel seat.  Initially I didn't think this would be an issue but last season when I was battling a sizable tiger muskie (on accident), I definitely noticed not having that piece of cork there when I would hold the rod there as leverage when the fish went on a run.

 

Additionally, when I fish in the rain, not having cork there as opposed to just the slippery surface of the graphite rod didn't help either.  I do not intend to replace these specific rods, as I have been very happy with their performance even without this cork above the real seat, but from now on I am going to look for that piece of cork on a new rod when purchasing.

[Eric 26]

Forgive me in advance if this becomes boring. Not sure of the year but definitely quite a few years ago I was at a local fishing show, (Tinley Park) for my south side Illinois guys?, and I remember a vendor selling ?a “Mitchell spider cast” spinning combo ? Oh man did I want that rod but he wouldn’t split the combo and if memory serves me it was $85.00 or more ?for the ultralight  combo. A few laps later I came across the “Ed Shirley & sons” booth (South Side?) and purchased this one for $30.00(?) the rod only. Still using to this day as a bobber rod for panfish and thankful my brother talked me into spending what I thought was too much back then? Bought the “Mitchell Fulcrum Pro” at my local K-Mart after seeing Roland Martin using one on his TV show?

[KP Duty]

Split grips were started by custom rod builders in the '90s as a way to reduce weigjt.  

[PressuredFishing]

Less bulky when side arm casting, less material bumps your arm when flipping, gives you a nice ball at the butt of your rod to grip when side arm casting. Biggest win for me is being able to add hookholders in between the split, for dropshots.

[S Hovanec]

In my experience, the only thing split grips do is save the rodbuilder some money on grip material.  I do like to put the weight keeper in the split on dropshot rods though.

[roadwarrior]

They just look cool!

 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

They just look cool!

 

[FishinBuck07]

I like to believe they made them because I don't like full grip.  But I am sure I am wrong about that, at least my wife tells me I am a lot!