newyorktoiowa57 Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 Personally I find most rods I have handled $200 or less are still quite tip heavy if either over 7 feet or at least medium heavy, and certainly if both. A what price point does balance start to get better? My SA 692 is quite tip heavy even though dobyns are revered for there balance. I have a champion 734FH on the way so I am hoping for more on that one. I have handled st. croix avid x and hated them from an ergonomics standpoint. What about Megabass Orochi XX? Kistler helium 3? Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be no matter what.over 7 feet you will feel it. I agree st croix feels heavier to me. I just got a 7ft Johnny Morris Patriot series and was pleasantly surprised at how light the overall weight and tip weight feels. Tackle tour always comments on tip weight when they do a review. You might read some of their reviews.longer heavier action rods are going to start having more tip weight.i also will not buy a rod without holding it. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 SC is very tip heavy IMO... Dobyns is great for balance... I have Orochi, Helium 3, Tatula Elite, ALX Zolo, NRX and they are all superb in my book from a balance standpoint. Best balance/lightness under $200 I’ve found are any of the Duckett’s, and Daiwa Tatula. After 6 hand/wrist surgeries, weight and balance are pretty important to me... 2 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 Another thing I will add to the above is longer handles, heavier grip material or full grips and micro guides generally help aid in balance. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 All rods are tip heavy when a bait is tied on. Balance depends on the reel paired with the rod. Balance is also subjective. Try before you buy. 3 Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, J Francho said: All rods are tip heavy when a bait is tied on. Balance depends on the reel paired with the rod. Balance is also subjective. Try before you buy. Balance preference is subjective, but the center of mass of a given rod can be found and easily expressed in “inches from rod butt”. It would be great if rod manufacturers would list this info. This would let you compare Rod A to Rod B and buy to fit your personal preference. 1 Quote
waymont Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 I agree with @FryDog62 about St Croix rods. I have two Legend bass rods that are amazing but a touch tip heavy. The best balanced rods I've come across have been G Loomis, the new Tatula Bass rods, and Dobyns regardless of which reels are on them. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 13 minutes ago, fishwizzard said: Balance preference is subjective, but the center of mass of a given rod can be found and easily expressed in “inches from rod butt”. It would be great if rod manufacturers would list this info. This would let you compare Rod A to Rod B and buy to fit your personal preference. This would be useful information. TW lists handle length, it wouldn't take much to add balance point to that. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 There are just too many variables and preferences for any kind of generalized concept of 'balance" to be valid. Like JF said, trial and error and decide for yourself what you like. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 I had a 7' MHF Avid that I hated with a TD-A reel on it. Switched it out for a TD-X, and bam! I had a great general purpose rod. Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 29 minutes ago, Jrob78 said: This would be useful information. TW lists handle length, it wouldn't take much to add balance point to that. It would not but given how hard it is to even get a rod’s weight out of the manufactures, I am not holding my breath on getting a CoM rating. Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 Just now, fishwizzard said: It would not but given how hard it is to even get a rod’s weight out of the manufactures, I am not holding my breath on getting a CoM rating. No, I don't expect anyone to do this either. It would be nice though. It would be pretty easy for an individual to figure out where they prefer CoM based on the reels they use, how they hold a rod and rod length. Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 1 minute ago, Jrob78 said: No, I don't expect anyone to do this either. It would be nice though. It would be pretty easy for an individual to figure out where they prefer CoM based on the reels they use, how they hold a rod and rod length. Yep, I am firmly in the “light tip heavy butt” category so even a single pic of a rod balaned on someone’s finger tells me what I need to know. 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 18, 2019 Super User Posted March 18, 2019 If the CG or pivot point is the center of the reel seat the reel weight shouldn’t affect the rods balance. That is why the reel seat moves forward and handle gets longer as the rod gets longer moving the pivot point. Tom 1 Quote
Maw69 Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 I really enjoy my Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Lite (7’ M/F). Light and nicely balanced with a Daiwa Fuego... Quote
newyorktoiowa57 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Posted March 19, 2019 12 hours ago, FryDog62 said: SC is very tip heavy IMO... Dobyns is great for balance... I have Orochi, Helium 3, Tatula Elite, ALX Zolo, NRX and they are all superb in my book from a balance standpoint. Best balance/lightness under $200 I’ve found are any of the Duckett’s, and Daiwa Tatula. After 6 hand/wrist surgeries, weight and balance are pretty important to me... which ZOLO models do you own? Quote
5by3 Posted March 19, 2019 Posted March 19, 2019 dobyns is the best balanced rod on the market imo. For what it’s worth, I own a few of the current GLX model and find them to be much more tip heavy than my champions. Recently bought a few ALX Zolos after reading all of the great reviews online. I am very happy with them so far, but do not have much time on the water with them yet this year. I have the Toadface, deputy, dragger, and brawler. Quote
newyorktoiowa57 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Posted March 19, 2019 13 minutes ago, 5by3 said: dobyns is the best balanced rod on the market imo. For what it’s worth, I own a few of the current GLX model and find them to be much more tip heavy than my champions. Recently bought a few ALX Zolos after reading all of the great reviews online. I am very happy with them so far, but do not have much time on the water with them yet this year. I have the Toadface, deputy, dragger, and brawler. If those models are well balanced I assume that the 7' medium will be too. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted March 19, 2019 Super User Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, newyorktoiowa57 said: which ZOLO models do you own? I sold my St. Croix LTB for a Zolo Dragger... lighter and much less tip heavy. Ordering a Toadface next... Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted March 19, 2019 Posted March 19, 2019 22 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said: Personally I find most rods I have handled $200 or less are still quite tip heavy if either over 7 feet or at least medium heavy, and certainly if both. A what price point does balance start to get better? My SA 692 is quite tip heavy even though dobyns are revered for there balance. I have a champion 734FH on the way so I am hoping for more on that one. I have handled st. croix avid x and hated them from an ergonomics standpoint. What about Megabass Orochi XX? Kistler helium 3? What reel are you planning to put on the rod? Quote
newyorktoiowa57 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Posted March 19, 2019 either another chronarch or a JDM metanium. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted March 19, 2019 Super User Posted March 19, 2019 Wouldn't the weight of the reel determine the answer to the question? A Steez at 5.6 vs a Antares at 8.2? Call me crazy Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 19, 2019 Super User Posted March 19, 2019 43 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: Wouldn't the weight of the reel determine the answer to the question? A Steez at 5.6 vs a Antares at 8.2? Call me crazy Yep, definitely a factor Quote
newyorktoiowa57 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Posted March 19, 2019 13 hours ago, Jrob78 said: Yep, definitely a factor A chronatch or metanium so either 6.5 or 6.2 oz. Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 19, 2019 Super User Posted March 19, 2019 5 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said: A chronatch or metanium so either 6.5 or 6.2 oz. .3 oz won't make any difference so either should be good. Quote
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