balancing rods

[Ibeadoc]

I recently read an article about the weight systems for balancing rods and wondered if anyone could give me some opinions about the nedd or worth of doing so. I understand the reduction of fatigue and more sensitivity for bite detection, but is there more reasons?

[S.F.]

if only the rod played a role in making the fish bite....lol

#49

[targa2]

I use rod balancers on my jigging rods and they are pretty effective. For the money they cost it can't hurt to experiment with them I figured.

[REW]

For any rod that is going to be hand held, as opposed to a trolling or board rod - that is basically placed in a holder: I consider the use of a balanced rod imperative.

If you have a balanced rod - you can finish your long day of fishing,with the same sensitivity in your hand and ability to feel light bites, as you started the day with. The problem in using an unbnalanced rod, is that you need to "clench" your rod, in your fist -just to keep the rod from banging into the boat and over board.
After the first couple of hours, your hand has become desensitized - because of the tight grip required to hold the rod.

With a balanced rod - the rod can rest lightly in your hand, with the only drag from the bait and or crank - easy to feel those light taps that signify an eye on the end of your rod.

The nice thing about building rods, is that you can build the weight into the rod, if required, during assembly, so that you have a balanced rod out of the "box - so to speak".

In any eveny - balance your rods, and you will have a more productive and less tiring day.

Take care
REW

[REELMAN]

I think I got this tip from REW about using the rubber chair leg bottoms for balancers. You can buy them at any hardware store very cheap. they fit right on the bottom of most rods, then all you do is add washers, quarters or what ever to balance the rod/reel combo out.

[Reels]

Another method is to tape quarters on the end until you balance, weigh the stack, drill a hole on the end, and pour that much hot lead in the end.

Works great till you switch reels....

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