Split grip handles

Do split grip handles really give you that much more sensitivity or is the feature mainly just for weight?

I’m not sure if anybody has quantifiably proven what it does for sensitivity but then again, I don’t think anybody has quantified sensitivity anyway.

Here’s what I’d be willing to say about it:

-Reducing weight increases sensitivity

-Reducing Damping increases sensitivity

-Touching the blank increases sensitivity (but some non-spli grip handles do this as well)

I think split grips does all of these things.

What relative impact they have on a rod setup (i.e. rod, reel, line and lure) is the question.

I think the weight benefit is easy to determine however I would argue that you could probably do more damage on total weight by opting for a low weight reel like some of the magnesium reels or even the Abu Garcia Revo Premier which I believe claim s they are the lightest aluminum reel out there.

A finished St. Croix Legend Elite 7′ MH weighs 4.4 oz and the rod blank itself weighs 2.5 oz; finishing adds 1.9oz.

A Revo SX weighs 8.7 oz where Revo Premier weighs 6.35 oz. That nets you 2.35 oz.

That would be like removing all hardware on your rod and some!

Now the mass alone isn’t the whole story. The mass’ placement is just as important as the mass itself. Removing mass at the extremes of the rod is more important than anywhere else but removing mass in those places is tough.

As far as damping goes, I would think it would help but probably has little effect.

And by the way, changing from Mono to braid would probably blow any of these changes out of the water in terms of sensitivity but that’s a whole other issue.

People like to talk about one rod being more sensitive than another. Some mean that they can see the tip move easier others say they can sense better with one over the other. Until someone finds a way to actually measure sensitivity, my definition will be the lightest rod for any given power and action is the most sensitive.

So what’s the conclusion? I say, yes, a rod with a split grips system that is lighter than traditional grip is more sensitive but how much? Probably not much but if you’ve got the money and the desire for the best you can get, you should certainly try to obtain the lightest most sensitive rod you can get, I know I am!!!

well put. I do agree that a well balanced rod and reel will out perform a rod and reel combo out of balance. I usually put a reel on a pole and then balance it on 2 finger a few inches from the reel. if it tilts back or foward its out of whack. a little lead tape or experimentation will fix the problem. Dan

Quote:

---

well put. I do agree that a well balanced rod and reel will out perform a rod and reel combo out of balance. I usually put a reel on a pole and then balance it on 2 finger a few inches from the reel. if it tilts back or foward its out of whack. a little lead tape or experimentation will fix the problem. Dan

---

Couldn’t agree more. I hate the split grips on the heavier, longer rods because while they do reduce weight, they also make the rod even more tip heavy. On the shorter lighter rods I think they are fine.