Rod Balancer Butt Cap With Baitcast Rod ?

[ChrisD46]

I have used the rod balancer butt cap system (from BPS) with success on spinning outfits with success - have you used (or feel the need to use) on baitcast outfits ?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There is no right or wrong in the "balance" debate. As a rod builder, I'm convinced that any added weight regardless of position is a negative with very few specific exceptions. Obviously custom builds give you more fexibility to achieve the feel you want through other means, but it's still all personal preference. I'd be more inclined to change rods than to add weight, but if you've done it and are pleased with the results, the BPS kit is a reasonable way to do it. 

[poisonokie]

If it's a cranking rod you want it to be tip heavy, anyway. I like my jig rods to balance at the reel clamp and have passed on lighter reels to achieve that. I agree that added weight is a negative, but then again if your setup is uncomfortable and causes wrist pain or fatigue, I'd say a little more weight is worth it. All my combos are ~3/4 lb or less so if i needed to balance one I really don't think it would affect me.

[K_Mac]

I have weight added to a couple of spinning and baitcast combos. A perfectly balanced combo is far more comfortable when using contact baits IMO. In a perfect world I would use gear that does not require this, but a man has to make do sometimes.

[bigbill]

I check to see how close the balance is anyway. If it's way off fix it.

[rippin-lips]

If a rod doesn't balance where I like 'right at the reel seat nut' I sell it and get one that does. Way too many choices for me to settle on a rod.

[Basswhippa]

I've been thinking about using lead tape on a couple of rods.   I have used the balancer from BPS.  It works.

[SirSnookalot]

I would only balance a rod if I threw the same weight lure every time, which I don't do.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the replies - I agree for rod tip down lures / retrieves a slight tip down is desirable , for tip up lures / retrieves I use the rod balancer to achieve a neutral or slight tip up balance which just feels better to me . While it may just be a placebo effect - the rods where I use the rod balancer to achieve a neutral or slight tip up balance seem to feel more sensitive as well . I'm sure a rod builder (DVT) has a good reason why changing the rod balance point can give the sensation of increased sensitivity .

[cottny27]

ChrisD, I would try it on one rod for sure.  I cannot fish a rod that is not balanced anymore.  Its the 1st thing I do.  It seems to make casting easier too and just the overall handling of the rod.  

[BobP]

I say go ahead and try butt weight to balance a rod for "touch" tip-up presentations.  I have yet to find a long rod that is not naturally tip heavy, at any price.  To me, using a rod that is near neutrally balanced also increases its perceived sensitivity throughout a day of fishing.  JMHO, for the average fisherman, using a tip heavy rod for jigs and plastics fatigues the hand and decreases its ability to detect strikes after awhile.  And a weight kit might even tune the rod to enhance its ability to transmit vibration.  You won't really know unless you try it.      

[cottny27]

Everyone's favorite the St Croix Mojo Bass rod is crazy tip heavy.  

[Steveo-1969]

I balanced my jig/worm casting rod with a black chair leg cap and some nickels.  I actually find it aesthetically pleasing and the tip feels light as a feather.

[bigbill]

I just purchased two spinning rods a 5'6" & 6' with separate 200 & 400 spinning reels. The balances were off on the first try. I switched the reels and there balanced perfect.

The reels are from China. The sizes seem to run smaller. The 400 seems like inbetween a 25 & 30 size wise.