rod balance

[MuskieMike]

All this talk about rod length has got me wondering,what should be the balance point? Is it centered on the reel or just personal preference? would be nice to have my rods all balanced. Thanks

[jlong]

I palm the reel, so for ME the balance point should be at the reel seat. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the guys chopping their rod handles hold the rod by the foregrip in front of the reel seat... so that is probably where the balance point should be for them.

I've found (thanks RK) that the Normark Rod Balancers do the trick for any handle length. This allows you to choose where the balance point is on YOUR setup.

jlong

[MuskieMike]

Thanks for the imput Jlong,I palm the reel too most of the time.Last year I tried holding out in front when i was shot it seemed ok.I think I will try balancing some this year.

[DocEsox]

You guys keep talking about handle lengths are you're going to go blind.. ;) . I've been balancing my rods for years and find it to be the most important thing when you're casting alot. It's really hard to get spinning rods to balance....they are all top heavy. My ideas are pretty much the same as everyone else's. I hold the rod and reel and my hand and weight it until it literally balances in my open palm or fingers....with big casting rods maybe so the tip rises just a bit without a lure attached. I have an 8 1/2 foot salmon rod with nearly 2 ounces of lead in the back of the handle to balance it. The rod is heavier but it is way easier on the arm and shoulder casting with it all day long.

I like handles about 11 or 12 inches cause I am only 5'6" and find longer handles get in my way. But the shorter you have the handle, the more weight you have to add to balance it. That's one of the big advantages of custom rods....I will use alot of wood inlays with the cork on the long part of the handle to add weight for balancing...looks nice and is functional too.

BrianW