skeletal fishing rod handles

[norma]

I was looking at getting a ST Croix Legend Tournament spinning rod, a 6'6"ML F for casting jigs. I see they have the skeletonized handles. Who has fished with them? Are they better or just different? Also, I find I need to put a rod in a holder quite often while fishing, to help others in the boat. How does this style handle work with rod holders, I'm not going to troll with it, but many times I have had a fish strike when the rod was in the holder.Looks like there should be a lot more sensativity as one could touch the blank with there fingers.Let me know your thoughts, thanks Joe.

[PerchJerker]

I call them "split grip" handles, not skeletal, but I think we're talking about the same thing. About half of the rods I've bought lately are split grips. I think the 2 main benefits are slightly lighter weight, and increased sensitivity from being able to feel the blank instead of holding cork or foam. I like them, but then again, I like all the fishing rods I have, split grip or not.

I don't fish with them in rod holders, but I have set them in my rod holders many times when needing to free up my hands.

[CAMAN]

By skeletal he means 2 piece reel seat where the blank between the two pieces is left exposed. I've made a couple rods woth skeletal seats and really like them. They are great for anything requiring a sensitive touch. The only real downside I have found is they aren't as comfortable to fish all day with, they can put pressure onto the bones in your hand if held for a long time.

Putting them in a rod holder might not be a good idea depending on the type. If its a tube style and the edge of the tube touches any part of the exposed blank I would say NO. But if its the style that cradles the rod I don't see much issue with it.

[traveler]

They've been around for awhile now...I haven't gotten any, and don't plan too...I'm sure they're fine for some guys, but I like the feel of cork, and I just don't like the looks of the split grip ones (they don't look comfortable either). My better rods are already plenty light and sensitive I guess...

[PerchJerker]

By skeletal he means 2 piece reel seat where the blank between the two pieces is left exposed.

Ooohhhh, thanks for clarifying. I've got a few rods like that as well I guess I haven't paid that much attention, but isn't the 2-piece reel seat more common than the split-grip handle?

[LightningBG]

I'm guessing this is "skeleton"?

[bobbymalone]

that's what I think of as a skeleton. and skeleton handles are almost always also a split grip. Does that makes sense? These SC legend tournament rods look like skeleton handles to me.

I'm not sure if I like them or not, but I'm building myself a ultralight with one right now so I guess we'll find out

PJ, The split grips seem to be more commmon than skeleton grips if you ask me.

[norma]

yes that is the handle I am talking about. They don't look like thet would be very comfortable to use for 8+ hrs at a time.

[Dark Cloud]

Im not a fan of the "skeleton" seats but do like split-grips and/or rods with no fore-grip or a real short fore-grip.

I build most of mine with a real short 1/2 to 1 inch front grip. This leaves a nice spot to nestle your pointer finger on the blank.