+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.

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.

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

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.

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