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Some thoughts on “balance”. Since there is no way to counter-balance the torque of a moving bait, such as a crankbait or spinnerbait, let’s concentrate on bottom contact baits. First, how do we describe a balanced combo? Most would say that a rod / reel combo is balanced if, when you hold it as you would when fishing, the tip is not being pulled down. What we’re talking about is torque. In this case, the rotational force we feel at our wrists. The most common scale we use is foot-pounds or pound-feet. Take your pick. The result is the product of the two terms. A one pound weight, two feet from the center of rotation produces the same result as a two pound weight, one foot out. So, where’s the center? Depends entirely on how you hold your setup. When I’m fishing a baitcast rig, all four fingers are in front of the trigger. I’ve fished several times with Kent, and he holds his rods completely different. Only his forefinger is in front of the trigger. Who is doing it correctly? I am, of course. And so is he, of course. We are going to experience different balancing torques from the same rod / reel combo. Like the disclaimers all say, your results may vary. Let’s run some numbers, and since I’m a simple-minded sort of guy, let’s use some simple numbers to start with. First determine where the rod balances naturally. That will be our center of rotation. Now suppose we’ve tied a piece of line onto the tiptop guide and tied a weight to the line. We’re working in foot-pounds so let’s use 4oz, or 0.25 pounds. And let’s say we have 8 feet of rod in front of our center of rotation. That gives us 2 foot-pounds of torque. Keeping in mind the way gravity works, the result is valid when the rod is parallel with the ground. How do almost all of hold the rod when fishing jigs or plastics? With the rod pointed up, not parallel with the ground, or with the water surface, is you prefer. Keeping the weight the same, as we move the rod from parallel with the ground towards perpendicular, what is happening? The distance from center is becoming less. The nearer to perpendicular the rod is, the closer to zero the distance becomes. If the rod is pointing straight up, the distance from center is zero and there is no torque. There is however, the weight of the rod, plus the weight of the sinker being pulled straight down. Think about that for a minute, and then tell yourself again how adding weight to balance a rod makes it “feel” lighter. Let’s look at some “real” numbers. My most “out of balance” combo is a 7’6” XH Duckett swimbait rod. With the reel mounted, and me loosely holding it where I hold this one to fish, I measured about 4 ounces of force at the tip. I also measured right at 6.25 feet of rod from the center of my hand/wrist. That gives a torque of 1.5625 ft-lbs when the rod is parallel with the ground. I hold my rods about 10 degrees off perpendicular for some reason. That’s just where it feels right to me. I’ve measured this, as best I can, from some pictures. At 6.25 feet, 10 degrees puts the rod tip about 1.1 feet from center. This gives a torque of 0.275 ft-lbs. Doing the calculations, I’d have to add 3.4 ounces of weight to the butt end of the rod to make it “balance”, in the sense that most people use the term. This rod only weighs a little over four ounces. Let me see, do I want to turn a nice 4 ounce rod into a 7.4 ounce pig of a rod? Or do I think my wrist can stand the incredible strain of 0.275 ft-lbs of torque?

Ok there is a small pond that is pretty well loaded with crappie and various bass. I love fishing this smaller pond. I have also found a very large largemouth that has been named Gertrude, she is elusive and has already teased me and taunted me. The point to this though is that I every time I go out there I find that other people that have fished the area leave their trash and spent baits. I walk the shoreline and pick up bobbers, tangled line, empty worm bags and lure boxes. Its very annoying that people leave their trash all over the place. I keep a walmart sack and a empty worm tub to place my trash in and to hold the trash I pick up from other people. I ask you all to please, if you are guilty of this, to please pick up after yourself. We need to try to keep our fishing areas clean. Thank you all that read this and please if you see something someone else left behind just pick it up.

I am not sure that there is anything to do about it. The people who do this are doing the best they can for their families. I can't fault them for that If you tax the food heavily, these people may not eat at all.

Good point. This is way too often overlooked. But what do you do about it? Impose heavy taxes on junk food producers which forces them to raise their prices, similar to cigarette taxes? Or force the farmer's who produce healthy meats, grains, and vegetables to charge less so that more people can afford to eat healthy?

I was never into fake wrestling.... But I respect anybody who goes over the top, with whatever it is that they do in life. RIP Mr Savage, Fish

I agree with some of the other posters, it's easier to place the blame elsewhere as it is to take responsibility for your own actions. The only other observation that I would like to add to this though is the fact that it is sad that some families eat fast food 7 days a week because a $1 cheeseburger and coke is cheaper to them than going grocery shopping. I see this a lot with the lower income house holds. That dollar value menu is where it's at

What's is messed up is your lack of awareness of how serious obesity can be. Many children, adults as well, are prone to be diabetics if weight is not controlled, not saying that diabetes only affects fat people. The disease itself cannot always be controlled and serious issues can arise, weaken immune system, loss of limbs, organs not performing properly,etc, etc. The economic affect on the healthcare systems may mean higher premiums, if you're employer pays them that may mean higher deductibles. With a higher healthcare cost to one's employer annual salary raises could be affected. Children may suffer social ramifications, as i remember " fat " kids do get picked on and made fun of, now they may nned therapy, another drain on healthcare costs. Be a wise move for people with this nonchalant attitude NOT TO HAVE KIDS OF THEIR OWN !

Dude, you know 5 crack addicted prostitutes?

Junk, usually have at least 6 rods on the deck with different things tied on and usually catch fish on all of them by the end of the day. Usually have a pattern but if I see something that I could fish better with something else I'll put my rod down and throw something different for a cast or two and go back to what I was doing, get some pretty good fish that way.

The meat-&-potatoes of angling is Versatility & Adaptiblity. If you dare to paint yourself into a corner, you're dead at the gate. Don't take my word for it, ask Kevin VanDam Roger

Al didn't invent global warming, he just told everyone about it. You're thinking of the internet.

It does come down to one word, LAZY. I agree we need to focus on our citizens first and foremost.

You cant do sht about it. It comes down to on little word, C O N V E N I E N T. As far as Africa goes, those people have been starving for decades, but they keep pumping out babies. How about feed them birth control. I say F the world and help those here at home.

I could care less what happens in Africa. Eat an elephant for crying out loud.

someone dies every 5 seconds from starvation and you are complaining about the effects of diabetes and healthcare costs and being picked on at school? rofl I'm sure a kid in Africa would love to have healthcare to begin with, or a school to go to for that matter bringing the hippie attitude full force today.