Production rod balance

[GaterB]

Hello all,  I've been searching for a rod series that offers rods that balance "neutrally" or slightly tip up with reels weighing 6-7 ounces. i just cannot find any that are built for mass production. Is it such a hard task to accomplish? A balanced rod is lighter in my hands than a tip heavy rod that weighs less on a scale. If anyone knows of a company producing a rod that balances this way, could you offer some insight? Thanks!

[fishnkamp]

Have you held a Irod or Dobyns?   Are you asking about spinning or baitcasting rod.  I fish some Dobyns, Powell's, and Irods, I have never seen a balance problem with them, most balance right in front of the reel

[GaterB]

Both casting and spinning. I have not handled either of those with a reel on them. However, I will say that the balance point I'm looking for would almost be under the reel. The closest I've felt was a metanium mg7 on an orochi xx tour versatile, but it still was a tad tip heavy. I'm splitting hairs, but it makes a difference to me in how a rod performs. 

[EvanT123]

I would just add weight to the butt of a rod or get a heavier reel if "balance" is that important.

In practice I would do neither of those things. 

[Hogsticker]

1 hour ago, GaterB said:

Both casting and spinning. I have not handled either of those with a reel on them. However, I will say that the balance point I'm looking for would almost be under the reel. The closest I've felt was a metanium mg7 on an orochi xx tour versatile, but it still was a tad tip heavy. I'm splitting hairs, but it makes a difference to me in how a rod performs. 

I own several customs and the balance point is with my pointer finger is right on the reel seat hood. A rod and reel that balances below the reel seat would be hard to accomplish and finding one off the rack I just don't know. Of all the non custom rods I've owned the Dobyns rods seemed to balance very well, but that's where the fun stopped for me. No need to elaborate there. 

[dsqui]

i think you will be hard pressed finding a rod off the shelf or custom that balances directly under the reel considering the rod would almost have to balance there on its own.  short of adding weight to the butt which defeats the purpose of wanting a lighter rod.  the rod tip just has too much leverage on the handle to balance at this point

[GaterB]

42 minutes ago, dsqui said:

i think you will be hard pressed finding a rod off the shelf or custom that balances directly under the reel considering the rod would almost have to balance there on its own.  short of adding weight to the butt which defeats the purpose of wanting a lighter rod.  the rod tip just has too much leverage on the handle to balance at this point

That's where my thoughts were going, but I was hopeful there would be a production rod accomplishing this task, but I don't think there will be. I'm fine with right at the reel locking nut, but those seem to be rare as well. Thanks guys!

[dsqui]

well if the locking nut is ok with ya ild really take a hard look at dobyns.  that is one thing they are very well known for is a good balancing rod.  i fish dobyns they are a great rod and balance great with lews reels

[rippin-lips]

7 hours ago, GaterB said:

Both casting and spinning. I have not handled either of those with a reel on them. However, I will say that the balance point I'm looking for would almost be under the reel. The closest I've felt was a metanium mg7 on an orochi xx tour versatile, but it still was a tad tip heavy. I'm splitting hairs, but it makes a difference to me in how a rod performs. 

The TV is a pretty stout rod.

As for balance on the locking nut. That's not hard to achieve at all.  

Dobyns

Powell

## fishing 

megabass 

majorcraft

irod

phenix 

[timsford]

There are plenty of rods with good balance. Most are 7' and under. Dobyns rods are balanced great, but so are most of the powell, phenix, irod, st croix, loomis, daiwa, and many other brands I've fished with. Most of my rods are under 7' though. The only rods I have that don't balance at the reel are a couple of deep cranking rods and a swim bait rod, but I use these tip down anyway and it doesn't bother me. If you palm the reel then the reel isn't affecting the balance anyways since your hand is where the reel is and it's the balancing point of the fulcrum (rod). Adding weight to the butt with a balancing kit or chair protecter with weights is the only way to counteract the weight of the rod forward of the point where you hold it

[OkobojiEagle]

Buy a shorter rod...

 

oe

[d-camarena]

Shimano zodias

[S Hovanec]

Like said, even going custom, that's an almost impossible task, unless you want an extraordinarily long rear grip.  I have a 2.85oz DS rod that is tip heavy with a CI4.  It needs a heavier reel.  I have a 3.15oz DS rod that balances perfectly with a older Stradic MG, but felt BAD with a CI4.  You need a heavier reel or to add weight to the butt to accomplish what you want.

[Big Bait Fishing]

either get a short rod or start working out   if you use long rods , you just have to get used to it ! i use a 9' swimbait rod that is pretty light for what the rod is and what it can do but even with a 18'' handle , it is pretty tip heavy , doesn't stop me from fishing it for 6-8 hours on the weekend ...

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If you palm a casting reel that's right at the fulcrum so I don't see much of any difference by using a heavier reel. I'm also not a proponent of adding weight especially to a Rod you paid extra for to get light weight. If you must, adding as little weight as you can get away with to the very end is the most efficient approach. 

[WRB]

The reel weight should be with line, rod weight should be about 1/2 the reel weight for 6'10"-7'3" length rods. 3.5 oz rods for 7 oz reel is extremely light weight. With that said the only time a rod can feel balanced is after making a cast before you start the retrieve because the lure off sets balance by it's weight and or water resistance.

Don't over think this.

Tom

[MickD]

 Short rod, micro guides, light action (to make the blank as light as possible), or just forget it as recommended above.  Much ado about nothing.

[cottny27]

On August 12, 2016 at 9:28 PM, GaterB said:

Hello all,  I've been searching for a rod series that offers rods that balance "neutrally" or slightly tip up with reels weighing 6-7 ounces. i just cannot find any that are built for mass production. Is it such a hard task to accomplish? A balanced rod is lighter in my hands than a tip heavy rod that weighs less on a scale. If anyone knows of a company producing a rod that balances this way, could you offer some insight? Thanks!

I agree with you, but good luck finding one with a neutral balance at the seat.  Split grips make it even worse and that's what I prefer.