Unbalanced

[TriCityBassin']

I have a Fenwick HMX 7' ML.  I have loved the models before this one but this one is HEAVY!  completely tip heavy and I can't fish with it.  I bought it for finesse techniques <1/8oz so the tip weight is a real problem.  I pulled all the guides off because they were cheap and heavy, very heavy.  I want to replace it with recoil guides or something similiar.

The question is that with only the tip guide, the rod is still forward heavy.  Can i add weight to the butt or something?

[S Hovanec]

Yes, there are a few ways to add weight to the butt.  The simplest is stainless washers in a crutch tip.  I prefer to add weight inside the blank or to use a weighted butt cap.

[TriCityBassin']

is adding weight a common practice for rod building?  Just wondering if I should ditch the blank.

[Big Bait Fishing]

if you are gonna keep the blank , put some size 3 micro guides on it , assuming it's a casting rod , should balance it out .

if it's a spinning rod , i'd look into a micro guide set up too , i have a Phenix M1 7'8'' MXF rod with micro guides and it isn't tip heavy enough to be noticeable ..

[BobP]

Yes, balancing a Rod with extra weight in the butt can make a huge difference in how it fishes and feels.  I made a flipping stick that was hugely tip heavy and was tiring to fish.  Cut off the butt cap and added lead weights until it balanced with the reel I used with it.  Huge difference in how it handled and there was no fatigue fishing with it.  The extra 1+ oz of weight seemed like a lot when I did it but supporting the extra overall weight was unnoticeable while fishing and the balanced Rod/reel combo is a pleasure to fish.  This applies only to rods that are used for bottom contact presentations, not to rods used for moving presentations which are tip heavy anyway while fished.

[custer]

If you fish alot of slop (versus grass), or fish in temps below freezing I would avoid micro guides.

 

Full disclosure,  I haven't,  don't plan on and won't use micro guides. I feel they limit your line options ( for instance using braid with a bite leader) Even using straight braid in grass or slop can cause the guides to choke.

 

Most tourney fishermen I know have either re-wrapped or replaced their micro guide rods. ....

 

But,  it's your rod. Do what WORKS for YOU! !!!!

[fishnkamp]

Go to Getbit and look at "butt caps" Under that you will find some weighted butts and some adjustable weighted butt caps.  The adjustable kit only costs $3.19 so it is a cheap option.