Being old and set in my ways, I am not sure about the "Split-Grip" rods that I am noticing in the BPS and Cabella's catalogs.

The Kistler Split-Grip Magnesium TS looks beautiful, but at $180 you want to make sure the rod will be light and comfortable.

The Kistler Hellum LTX II has a price tag of $330 to $350, and for that money, I would feel better investing in a G. Loomis product.

So guys, what's your input on the Split-Grip rods?

Do you like them?

Are they worth the price?

Any feedback would be welcome.

Thanks.

Flippin4it just bought a (split grip) Kistler Magnesium flipping stick so I bet he'll weigh in here before the day is over;  but I've held it and even made a cast or two with it, and it is SWEET.  Really light, nicely balanced.

I also recently got a new rod with a pseudo-split grip -- a new Daiwa Light & Tough flipping stick.  I say "pseudo" because the split on this rod is much smaller than what you see on the Kistlers, Powells, G-blanks, etc.  Meaning, there's a noticeably larger amount of cork at bottom of the rod (after the split) as compared to those others.  But that said, I love it.

I like the split grip rods for any bait I bump along the bottom or baits that have a tendency to get bit on the drop. I dont feel like they are necessary on jerkbait,spinnerbait or crankin' rods,but thats just my opinion.

I just wish my Helium LTA flippin rod had the split grip. All my G-Blanks are split grip and of course the Kistler Mags.

I only have one split grip rod........the 6'8" ML Woo Daves BPS extreme rod. I use it for drop shotting, and shakey head. It's a nice rod, but I didn't buy it because it did/didn't have the split grip. I don't know if I really have a preferance.

I like them because they allow me to use extremely dense cork without adding too much weight to the rod. The exotic burl from Lamar is about 3-4 times the weight and density of natural cork. IMO, they also look cool.

The split grip itself, saves only a tiny amount of weight but looks good and allows some other decorative or labeling options. In truth, it actually works against proper balance since it removes weight from the rear of the rod. This is remedied with a custom, if you spec burl or exotic burl cork which is much denser than natural cork and will promote better balance.

The Kistler Hellum LTX II has a price tag of $330 to $350, and for that money, I would feel better investing in a G. Loomis product.

For that price you could have a custom rod built on a Loomis blank. You could have a custom, built to your own specs on a IMX or maybe even GLX blank or a factory LTX rod. :-?

I know what I would do, but it would require a 2 month wait.

My new Powell 704c is my first split grip/ no front grip rod, and honestly, I don't think that I will ever go back to conventional grips, with the exception of my swimbait rods.  I think Powell will be my new rod of choice when possible as well, simply the best handling rod I have ever owned and at a very reasonable price for its performance.

I don't think that the split handle adds that much to performance, but it sure looks cool! . The no fore grip thing, makes ALOT of difference IMO, my left index finger rides directly on the blank. Very sensitive!

Thanks guys, I am going to look into them at the Bassarama show in Richmond at the end of January.

My new Powell 704c is my first split grip/ no front grip rod, and honestly, I don't think that I will ever go back to conventional grips, with the exception of my swimbait rods.  I think Powell will be my new rod of choice when possible as well, simply the best handling rod I have ever owned and at a very reasonable price for its performance.

I don't think that the split handle adds that much to performance, but it sure looks cool! . The no fore grip thing, makes ALOT of difference IMO, my left index finger rides directly on the blank. Very sensitive!

I've got a Powell 683c with the split grip and I love mine too.  These are amazing rods for their price.  

I have a GBlanks 6'9" with split grip/no foregrip and I love it.  I agree with Flechero though-it actually takes away from the balancing.  I borrowed my fishin' buddy's new Curado 200 7.1 to try it out burning spinnerbaits.....yeah, that didn't work for me.  Granted that is about has heavy as a reel gets, but it just didn't feel right.   Solution: Daiwa Alphas Type F and make it my finesse jig.   As 5BL stated...I can't see it being necessary for crank/spinnerbait setups anyway.

FD

None of my Kistler LTA Heliums have a split-grip but most of my MB rods do.  I like them both but the split-grip MBs are surely 'purty' .

As an aside, I don't think I'll ever use a pistol grip rod as the longer handled rods(split-grip or not) make for longer casts, more secure(the handle lies up against my forearm) pitching, and more power when fighting fish.

Dan