Full Cork Grip, just feels comfortable. Don't like the foam or the split grips.

full cork grip.

After 21 months, my opion has not changed. It's part of the reason I made the move to Dobyns. I can get most everything I want in a cork full rear grip. Honestly, the split grip for spinning is Okay. I ordered my DX742SF in full rear grip. Options are nice.

At this juncture I use both, leaning more on split grip for finesse fishing

full grip, cork. The weight gain or loss is minimal and I prefer to have a choice on where I place my hand. More so, why even have to think about where my fingers are? with a full grip, I concentrate on the fishing and not the grip.

I think it's just a manufacturer need to add something to the marketing gumbo to sell rods.

I fish mostly spinning gear and I hold the rod with my hand in front of the reel. For some reason split grip spinning rod have no grip or very little grip in front of the reel. For this reason alone I stick with full cork grips.

i have both but just recently got my first full grip baitcast rod and i can say i like it way much more than my split grip one i dont know why i just do its all personal preference

Split grip, every time for everything.

I've never cared. Never paid any attention when buying. Now all of a sudden, I don't own a rod with a full grip.

After 21 months, my opion has not changed. It's part of the reason I made the move to Dobyns. I can get most everything I want in a cork full rear grip. Honestly, the split grip for spinning is Okay. I ordered my DX742SF in full rear grip. Options are nice.

X2

I had a bunch of split grips for a while, I've gone back to full grips on all of my newer purchases. They just feel more comfortable to me. Especially when I cast with both hands.

I need a full rear grip for cranking and swimbaits. Otherwise, could care less so long as the rod, reel, and bait feel "right" to me.

It doesn't matter much to me as long as its comfortable.

I used to only buy full grips but recently started getting into split grips. I do like my split grips a little better but I still reach for my full grip for throwing crankbaits and jerkbaits.

This is very interesting to me as a rod builder. I'm especially curious about the preference for different designs in different applications. Is it just the two handed casting you prefer the full grip for or something else? The original split grips were designed specifically for two handed casting with the butt grip consitently positioning your hand. The distinction between casting and spinning is also interesting. Thanks for aything you care to add here.

I think the whole split rear grip came up in the 90's as a result of a cork shortage. maybe now, there is a functional purpose behind it, but I recall at least one manufacturer saying cost was the motivation behind it. Might even have been Daiwa, can't recall.

Anyway, I just like cork tucked under my arm when cranking. One thing I hate is the EVA butt caps, like on the LTBs. They are constantly catching on my Columbia and Exofficio SPF shirts.

Split grip just because they look cool !

Can't stand split grips. I'm a two handed caster, not to mention maneuvering the rod when landing a fish. I have a split grip that's well balanced( cost a lot sigh) and a pleasure though. I once asked what was the difference between the two here and got some terrific answers....the one I remember best is that the splits started during a cork shortage. Hm. Any of you fly fishermen wanna see em on your rods?

I agree with Francho about tucking the rod under your arm and a full grip is better for that, but I the only time my rods are under my arm is when I'm handling saltwater fish, mostly offshore but sometimes inshore too but not as often. From my observation most offshore fisherman have that rod tucked when fighting a fish and very few rods are split grip. I have handled the Blair Wiggins offshore split grip rods and they are the most awkward rods I ever touched. Removable butt caps are important, underneath quite often is a gimble butt for using a fighting belt.

For casting and retrieving both freshwater and inshore (only spinning is used), a short rear split grip is not as comfortable to cast. The lack of a foregrip is a bigger negative for me, when handling some of the larger fish the extra leverage you get with your hand on the fore grip is a big plus, not to mention the stain on your forearm, this relates to the tennis elbow thread. I would not own a rod without a good sized front grip.

The weight savings of rod and reel is of no issue to me, within limits of course.

I prefer cork, but I think that is just because I am used to it. Only have 1 split handle and it is growing on me. It is a carrot stix. The only thing I don't like about it is that the hook keeper is located on the split part. So occassionally my hand will grab it when casting with two hands. Worst place ever for a hook keeper.