Wondering what you guys like better on finesse spinning rods and why? I still really prefer full rear grips as they always seem to balance a little better.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

I prefer split grip for keeping it light weight. Balancing a rod doesn't really play too big of a role for me in finesse.

I won't use a split grip. It is just not a comfortable grip for me. Also, if using rod holders, the split grip is a poor fit. For me, the weight is not important.

Be safe

I've never understood not liking a split grip. Most of us put a finger or two on either side of the reel stem so you never touch the split. How can not touching something be uncomfortable? And most of us have never put a finesse spinning rod in a rod holder. =)

I have both. There are a few reasons I like splits. It saves $ on cork or carbon fiber sleeve, and gives you a nice place for a decal. The butt grip stays put in my Ranger rod box. They look cool. I can build several handles and they will fit on any rod. Win win.

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"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Marc

I prefer full rear grips on all spinning and bait casting rods. Learned to cast spinning rods using both hands, and a split grip feels odd.

Somewhere a long the line some designer decided to make a butt grip a little bitty knob stuck on the end of the blank. Casting requires part of your hand to touch the blank on these little bitty knob grips if you happen to be a two-hand caster. Obviously, grabbing something 12 or 13mm in diameter is not going to help accuracy or comfort so I would propose that most split grips ignore the fact that MANY fishermen use two hands with a spinning rod. The answer IMO is a LONGER butt grip. We designed and added such an animal to our line in both cork, EVA and new custom WINN grips. In fact the WINN grip is just over 4 inches long! Your hand holds a nice tapered grip when casting and never touches the blank. You maintain the nice look of a split grip with all the functionality of a solid grip and save a little weight along the way. When you try one you'll immediately feel the difference.

Great comments about the use of a split grip, but I will continue to use my much preferred full grip.

Also, for a change of pace, I will often slide my hand back when fishing just to get to a different spot on the grip and completely away from the reel. Again, easy to do with a full grip, not so much with a split grip.

One of the reasons that different products are sold today. Different folks, different wishes.

Be safe

My first priority when building a finesse spinning rod is sensitivity. I'll take every opportunity to expose the blank - a notched foregrip, a split reel seat (Fuji SK2) and a split grip handle. I think the first 2 "exposures" are the most important