Rod Balancing

[kegler01]

Adjustability in the future is a good idea i will ponder that !

[z520tom]

Just curious. Why a 9' rod. I've built probably 20 ultra light and light power crappie rods. All of mine were from 5 1/2' to 7' long. Micro running guides on most of them. They were fairly well balanced without any additionally balancing weights.

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[kegler01]

I fish the banks and feel the longer rods cast farther . Not saying I am right just my personal preference.

[Spoonplugger1]

Instead of adding weight, why don't you just do what the fly anglers and salmon/steelhead anglers do, grab the rod after casting in front of the reel and use it as your counterweight, no extra weight, less mass, more sensitivity. If your rod is massively tip heavy you put the wrong guides on, or to 0many of them. Any increase in mass, no matter how it is positioned will rob sesitivity, remember one of Newton's laws says any increase in mass is harder to start, or stop, exactly the opposite of what is needed for maximum casting efficiency.

[kegler01]

The idea of moving my hand up the rod to a balance point was considered. Ultimately AFTER casting the rod several times with and without a balancing weight taped to the rod . I felt it was more comfortable for me to counterweight . The guides I used were Fuji micro guides and the number I used was the recommended number Fuji reccomends. I was concerned about the mass increase but we are talking balance point here and experienced rod builders assured me it was not a big issue . I really appreciate your thoughts as I have other longer rods that I intend on moving my had position to balance as I fish . Seems to me the main issue for me now is to use a light hand as I hold the rod and utilize the balance point regularly . Not sure I will build another rod again as this one cost me $160 and I shopped around for that price . BUT! I may just find the rod fishes better than other rods I have had in the past in that case I will build a few more rods for specific applications. Time will tell reguardless all the people here have been great to me . I have learned a lot about fishing rods .

[Spoonplugger1]

If the tip top I use is 1/3 lighter, and the guides I use feel 48 times lighter for the first guide, 45 for the second guide, 42 for the third guide, etc. from the tip how can anyone say guide size isn't important when balancing your rod? Somebody didn't take their math classes seriously.

[DockShootinJack]

If the tip top I use is 1/3 lighter, and the guides I use feel 48 times lighter for the first guide, 45 for the second guide, 42 for the third guide, etc. from the tip how can anyone say guide size isn't important when balancing your rod? Somebody didn't take their math classes seriously.

[kegler01]

[QUOTE=Spoonplugger1;4165048]If the tip top I use is 1/3 lighter, and the guides I use feel 48 times lighter for the first guide, 45 for the second guide, 42 for the third guide, etc. from the tip how can anyone say guide size isn't important when balancing your rod? Somebody didn't

I used the lightest guides I could find .

[z520tom]

That is exactly correct. I have rebuilt many factory rods and a number of rods that I built years ago. I used #3 and #4 micro guides. All the weight gone from the top section of these rods. I only build with micro 's now. I build both spin and casting rods. When I pick up a old rod built many years ago with the old high frame guides its like picking up a pipe!! An exaggeration but a world of difference and sensitivity. Some of my bass casting rods have 20 # monofilament with #3 micros for every guide. Cast like a dream.

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[DockShootinJack]

That is exactly correct. I have rebuilt many factory rods and a number of rods that I built years ago. I used #3 and #4 micro guides. All the weight gone from the top section of these rods. I only build with micro 's now. I build both spin and casting rods. When I pick up a old rod built many years ago with the old high frame guides its like picking up a pipe!! An exaggeration but a world of difference and sensitivity. Some of my bass casting rods have 20 # monofilament with #3 micros for every guide. Cast like a dream.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Sure seemed that fella was trolling . That judgment is caused my response. As I look at his other post I realize I was in error.