Doesn't matter to me. I've got rods with split grips, I've got rods with full grips. Not enough of a difference for me to really care. I do prefer a rod without the foregrip though. Unfortunately a couple of my favorite rods have the foregrip.

x2

I do have a slight preference for split grip spinning rods

what i definitely DON"T like is the foam type grip.

I hear that a lot, but I actually really like foam.

I can't imagine anything I could possibly care less about.

Why bother posting then?

I do agree that grip type isn't a MAJOR factor when purchasing a rod. But it  is a factor, otherwise rod manufacturers would not offer the exact same rod in two different grip styles.

It's simply a preference and I'm interested in hearing what others' preferences are.

Hmm, interesting to see that a lot of you do not consider the grip to be an important part of the rod. I understand the need for a good blank and action and all that but there is only 1 part of the rod that you actually come into contact with on a constant basis, and that is the grip. As for me it is a very important part, its what connects me(via my hands) to my tool(the rod) and for comfort and confidence i prefer full cork grips. Probably the longest answer to a simple question you'll ever see

Perfectly stated.

I prefer split grip with no fore grip, and it's a toss up between eva foam and cork. 

Full rear grip for moving baits, and heavy jig rods.  For the rest, doesn't really matter, as long as its comfortable.  I've been known to sand/grind/file offending handles.

Full grip for casting. I like to get that extra few feet by having two hands on the rod and chucking. With split it isnt as comfortable to have both hands on the handle

Full grip for casting. I like to get that extra few feet by having two hands on the rod and chucking. With split it isnt as comfortable to have both hands on the handle

I can see that.  I guess I'm just so used to using both I don't even notice it.  Most of my long casts are two-handed so I do it enough to notice.  When I use my split-grips I grab the butt end of the rod with my left-hand for a two-hand cast which is comfortable enough.  When I use my full-grips I just grab wherever it feels natural and make the cast.  It's funny, but I have to sit and think about how I do it to describe it.  When I'm fishing I don't even notice it.  It's just second nature.

Full grip for casting. I like to get that extra few feet by having two hands on the rod and chucking. With split it isnt as comfortable to have both hands on the handle

Ditto.............

I have both and I prefer the full cork grip, it's just so comfortable and I think it has a nice vintage look to it.

Split Grip for finesse baits

Full Grip for non finesse baits

With the rod/reel combos I have, full grip for spinning, split grip for casting.

Full cork grip for casting rods. Foam grips remind me of Ugly Sticks.

I prefer full cork grips for my spinning rods as well, but I suppose it's not a deal breaker if the blank is good enough since I rarely cast a spinning rod with two hands.

I have no preference.

I wonder if people who say they hate foam, have actually fished with a stick that had quality foam.

When fishing, what kind of handle I have, never crosses my mind. I am too busy trying to figure out why I can't catch anything.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

What rods have you fished that had foam handles and what did you not like?

I have rods with split grips and rods with full grips. Rods with foregrips and rods without. Cork and EVA. None of those factors really make any difference.

What does make a difference is the diameter of the grip. I need a bigger grip than many rods have.

I bought a Steez Flex Lite rod earlier this year. Turned around and sold it because the grip was way too small. Great rod. Lousy grip. Ditto, a Cumara casting rod. I still have it, but don't use it much. Great rod. Lousy grip for my hands.

I also have two St Croix Avid spinning rods. I gave both to my wife. I can't use either one without getting hand cramps, the grips are so tiny. Again, great rods, lousy grips for my hands.

Actually, the rod I have that is the most comfortable has no grip at all. No foam and no cork; except for a tiny composite cork butt cap. An Airuss Tradition spinning rod. It has a plate type reel seat wrapped directly onto the blank. It is very comfortable to hold all day, and is extremely sensitive. My hand is wrapped right around the blank.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

x2

I use both, and after getting use to the split grip, I prefer them on my spinning rig. As for a baitcaster, either one works for me.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

x2

Same question to you:

What rods have you fished that had foam handles and what did you not like?

I don't mind foam at all.  Good quality, high density foam is actually very nice.  It's the cheap grade low density foam that is just horrible.

I prefer split grips but a full grip doesnt lessen the appeal of a rod to me.  It's all about how the whole rod is put together. 

I don't mind foam at all. Good quality, high density foam is actually very nice. It's the cheap grade low density foam that is just horrible.

Thats the point I was trying to get to. I am guessing people are basing their opinions off low quality foam.

Same can be said about cork. Quality cork is great...the rest, not so much.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

x2

Same question to you:

What rods have you fished that had foam handles and what did you not like?

Bucoo

Venetta

Ugly Stick

early carrot stick

I didn't like the texture of them, but maybe it just wasn't good quality foam like SoFla suggested. It also left my hands being black :-? which was wierd.

Also, I don't like the color of the grip being black, but then again I think it would look funnier any other color.

Have both, makes no difference to me as long as it's NOT FOAM.

x2

Same question to you:

What rods have you fished that had foam handles and what did you not like?

Bucoo

Venetta

Ugly Stick

early carrot stick

I didn't like the texture of them, but maybe it just wasn't good quality foam like SoFla suggested. It also left my hands being black :-? which was wierd.

Also, I don't like the color of the grip being black, but then again I think it would look funnier any other color.

I agree that the grip of an Ugly Stik is horrible, but the Vendetta grip is amazing IMO.

My favorite grip I have tried is on the Carbonlite.