I like a full grip. I have one rod with a split grip that I bought because it was on sale. It would be a much better rod if it were a full grip. Split grip are uncomfortable to cast two handed.

I now make my own rods and they are all full grips.

Split cork.

Split handles for over the shoulder bomb casts and moving baits.

Premium cork for working slower and intermediate presentations

Mike

I fish both but I'm leaning more toward split. I built this one not to long ago.

Preference for split - but won't pass up a full-handle if the rod has the stats I'm looking for.

Everything I have currently are split, but I've had both before.

I enjoy using both. To be honest, I don't pay much attention if its full or split, I care about how the rod performs when working my lure or catching a fish.

All my older rods are cork, however the new Edge carbon split grips is converting me. I like the feel and consistent hand placement when casting. Which being a two handed caster makes sense.

Wouldn’t replace any of the cork handle rods but if buying new, leaning more towards a carbon split grip.

Full grip cork for my casting rods. Split grip cork for my spinning rods. All preferably with a foregrip as well. Old school.

On 1/13/2026 at 8:31 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

Don't care whether the grip is "split" or not, but I do have a preference about how long the grip is.

More split grip than full cork, but as already stated that's because a split grip is offered in many more rods. I've come to not care which style the handle is. What bothers me is when the handle is excessively short like on my Smoke and most Smallmouth rods. I'm a 2-hand caster and that's why the short handles aren't my favorite.

I prefer full and high quality cork. However if a split grip is done properly then I like them very much. Kistler on spinning and Talon on casting, both are excellent. My Talon rods are split EVA & are done with a rather long, tapered grip. Kistler and his design is very nicely done as well. Cheap cork though. I dislike Loomis’s split grips immensely. Carbon is cool on the right rod, I have a few.. both straight & split.

Doesn’t matter much to me. I have both. Seems like my “newer” rods are split grip.

One item I do not prefer is the lack of cork above the reel. I like having some cork there.

I have both as long as the the rod has the length,power and action I am looking for. I guess it is just a matter of personal preference.

On 1/13/2026 at 4:31 AM, FrnkNsteen said:

Doesn't really matter to me as long as they are properly balanced. I have seen some instances where a heavier full grip handle balanced a rod better if the manufacturer didn't take the time to balance it properly.

I prefer a full handle when casting and grabbing the bottom of the rod with my offhand, but have many of both and it doesn't matter THAT much.

Early adopters of the split grip ran into balance issues, notably the '05ish Legend Tournament. After holding one of those, I wasnt on board with split grips until years later.

@KP Duty

My Valleyhill Hard Rockfish has an adjustable balance-weight system.

The weights are threaded to the stud.

I don't think it's as much having a preference as it is having no preference. Rod balance is more important than grip composition.

This carbon-butt salt BF, with added X-shrink traction band, will two-hand cast into next month.

I prefer full cork grips, but I currently have all foam split grips. The reason is the rods I have either only came in split grip, or were far cheaper that way. If expense is no concerne, I would have all cork full grips. Expense will always be a concern, so I guess split foam grips it is.