Rod Handle Question, your preference please. 2024

SoInBassman reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

buzzed bait reply :

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 reply :

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

MDBowHunter reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

dsqui reply :

On 6/17/2016 at 1:54 AM, 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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

I have both but I'd prefer full cork.

WIGuide reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

Rich in Co reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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. reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 6/17/2016 at 9:57 AM, 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).

1201vilbig reply :

+1 on the Winn Grips. I have changed 3 of my rods after watching the Russ Lane video on YouTube. Also Lew's & Cabelas have the only rods I know of that come with Winn Grips.

fishnkamp reply :

Any good local rod repair guy can do what Tom did. He removed the original full cork grip and G Loomis's cheap plastic reel seat and locking ring assembly. He then measured and ordered the American tackle Comfort series seat and locking assembly and Winn Grips. Go to You tube and look up Winn Grips Russ Lane did a video of him doing a replacement job. Check it out. As for the Loomis rods I still believe they make a great rod blank but not too happy with the changes they have made on the total rod. Maybe I got a bad one because they use the plastics through out their models now. Too Bad.

SoInBassman reply :

Great! thanks for the replies and input. See this is split just like I stated last weekend, now out of the guys that preferences or commented, let me ask you this. For the guys that do take into consideration the handle, & components in a rod what portion of this are deciding factors. Or better yet, lets say you were gonna have a Custom Rod built for X amount of money, which handle configuration would you choose?

I have several buddies that will buy the cheapest rod they feel comfortable with no matter the layout, or they will only buy a rod that they feel saves them money, but--- other competitors of mine think differently and will buy a rod built to their specs, needs, no matter the cost ( within reason ) LOL! and they think that rod gives them a slight advantage. ? So when I'm off the water with friends / competitors I would like to have some information to back up my statements.

As far as buying fishing rod as an investment, that should never be a determining factor, we are hard on our stuff and usually fish it till it's no longer fishable, or has any resale value. I agree if you do not fish as much, or use the rod as a tool like the competitors I hang with, maybe resale value would come into play, but these guys use, pack and eventually destroy a rod after a couple seasons on the road.

The reason for this post was to hear your thoughts, opinions and get some insight as to why bass anglers, Pro & recreational are buying certain type rods. I thank you for the insight and the information will hopefully be put to good use. Thanks

P.S Yes I have fellow competitors / buddies that destroy $500 G- Loom rods, we see it all the time, not the rods fault by no means, I have buddies that can tear up an anvil. LOL
Thanks

blckshirt98 reply :

If I were buying a custom build I'd go split grips for sure...grip material would have to depend on aesthetics of the rest of the rod. Winn grips might feel nice but aesthetically aren't my favorite. I'd probably go X-Wrap or clean high quality cork, then EVA, then average cork. The cork on my St. Croix Legend Elite is like velvet...the cork on a couple of my Phenix rods have a lot of cork filler and not so great.

desmobob reply :

I like the lightest rod possible and split grips are my choice. That said, I once knocked a full-grip rod with a light reel mounted into the water and was very pleased to see that it floated! I don't know if that would have been the case with split-grip rod....

Tight lines,

Bob

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Rod Handle Question, your preference please. 2024

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