Reel suggestions for a Noodle Rod

[James]

I just bought a 9'6" noodle rod that I will use primarily as a dead stick for walleyes and maybe jigging, but I will also use it for panfish. I was planning on using my 2000 Spirex or 2000 Symmetry, but do you thing I should go to the 1000 series or I would take suggestions of another brand, but I exclusively fish Shimano spinning reels.

[Lund_Dude]

I have a 2000 Symmetre with rear drag. Tried it on a buddy's noodle rod, and it was pretty heavy. He settled on a Quantum reel, but I would have looked to a front drag 1000 series Shimano. Just my opinion though...

[eyewinder]

I put a Spirex 1000 on a 10-ft. (Cabela's) Fish Eagle II steelhead rod this spring, also for deadsticking and panfishing. I'm gonna try one of my Spirex 2000s next, because, with the 1000, the setup is so front-end heavy as to guarantee a sore wrist (at least fatigued) after awhile.

For several years, I've used a 9-1/2-ft. (stiffer) Cabela's rod with a 2000-series reel and a Bass Pro balancing system (weights) on the butt of the rod, and it is not at all fatiguing to use. . .balance is the key. If the 2000 reel doesn't bring the balance point on my new rod to directly in front of the reel, then I'll add the balancing kit (and I'm guessing that will be necessary).

[REW]

Just a heads up on balancing.
You can balance a rod perfectly - in a very inexpensive fashion.
1. go to a golf supply store, or other place where 3-m lead tape is sold. Pick up about 25 feet of 1/2 inch wide tape.

2. Very carefully remove - you may have to cut off the butt cap of your rod.

3. Obtain a new butt cap. Measure the length of the new butt cap - and for any of the following - insure that you don't make any cuts - which would show - once the butt cap is glued in place.

4. Take an exacto knife or razor blade and cutt the handle material - whether it is cork or foam back to the blank - just a bit less than the length of the butt cap - or the width of the 3-m lead tape. Typically the lead tape is 1/2 inch wide - and the butt cap depth is about 3/4 inch.

5. With the reel of your choice on the rod - wrap lead tape tightly around blank - in the area that is exposed by your cuts.
If you are fortunate - you will be able to get enough weight wrapped on the butt - in the length of one - width of lead tape.
If you are not lucky - you will need a 2nd width to make the balance point. If your butt cap isn't deep enough to accomodate 2-full width wraps of lead tape - either obtain a deeper butt cap, or split the lead tape with an exacto to the width of the finished wraps.

6. When finished with the tape wraps - use 5 minute epoxy to glue the butt cap back onto the rod.

When you have finished the rod - the rod will appear perfectly stock - except that it will now be balanced. The balancing lead tape - will be neatly hidden under the new butt cap - that is the same diameter as the old butt cap.

Take care

REW

[Bob G2]

There are noodle rods, then there are noodle rods. If your rod is rated 2-6# test, then *possibly* a lighter reel may be in order. However, with the rod being 9'6", my suspicions are that the rod
is rated higher than that, either 4-8# or 4-10#. If that is the case, then the 2000 series will be just fine.

If you haven't already, put the reels you have on it already and check to see how it balances.

I personally would stay with the 2000 as the weight difference isn't that great from the same drag 1000, and you get a little more line capacity and spool diameter which is always helpful.

That is, unless now you are pinin' to buy a new reel...I can understand that.

[ddt]

REW
Where do you hold the rod to find the
balance point? I set the rod on my finger
just in front of the butt,is this right
or wrong? I just got a croix,with a
tennesee handle,so I move the reel to
balance it. thanks for any help.
ddt