Balancing Rods - Reel to rod weight ratio

[Finessegenics]

Im sure theres quite a bit of info across the forums about this question already but im hoping for some new or different answers. I was wondering if there was a certain ratio of weight between a reel and rod to balance spinning setups. For example, if my rod weighs x amount of oz, how much should my reel weigh? Does the length of the rod come into play too?

 

I am asking because my current spinning setup is a St Croix Eyecon 6'6 ML (which weighs 3.6 oz) with a Pflueger President 30 (8.8 oz). Its not that bad but sort of feels bottom heavy holding in my hand. So i was just wondering how light of a reel I would need to balance the setup. I realize some of it may be personal preference but I want to hear your opinions. Thank you!

[Glaucus]

It's as simple as a properly balanced rod should balance well with any reel within reason.

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

It's as simple as a properly balanced rod should balance well with any reel within reason.

It also depends on how you hold your rod. For spinners, I have my pinky finger behind the stem, the other three in front of it...so a rod that's 'tip heavy' for others who hold it with more fingers behind the stem is balanced for me.

[A-Jay]

37 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Im sure theres quite a bit of info across the forums about this question already but im hoping for some new or different answers. I was wondering if there was a certain ratio of weight between a reel and rod to balance spinning setups. For example, if my rod weighs x amount of oz, how much should my reel weigh? Does the length of the rod come into play too?

 

I am asking because my current spinning setup is a St Croix Eyecon 6'6 ML (which weighs 3.6 oz) with a Pflueger President 30 (8.8 oz). Its not that bad but sort of feels bottom heavy holding in my hand. So i was just wondering how light of a reel I would need to balance the setup. I realize some of it may be personal preference but I want to hear your opinions. Thank you!

If or where a rig 'balances', may be difference for each of us.

To my knowledge - there is no accurate or even remotely reliable 'formula' available to help determine it.

Just have to figure it out.

Lastly, your rig, the one that weighs 12.4 OUNCES, could never feel heavy to me - ever. 

A-Jay

 

 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Lastly, your rig, the one that weighs 12.4 OUNCES, could never feel heavy to me - ever. 

That's because you're our resident 'Hulk'.

 

Seriously, I think my Trion rig weighs more than that and I have no problems tossing it around.

[OkobojiEagle]

Rocking in my boat, holding the grip tightly I'm looking to balance my outfit at about 5lbs tip heavy...

 

oe

[Finessegenics]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

That's because you're our resident 'Hulk'.

 

Seriously, I think my Trion rig weighs more than that and I have no problems tossing it around.

Not because my rig feels heavy in any way, just off balance ! After hearing you guys, I think its just the way I hold a rod. You probably saved me from dishing out some more money for an upgrade

[Glaucus]

3 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Not because my rig feels heavy in any way, just off balance ! After hearing you guys, I think its just the way I hold a rod. You probably saved me from dishing out some more money for an upgrade

That's why "they" want us to overthink and over complicate things.

 

From lure colors, to line choices, to everything being technique specific, to the little things like balance. It = $$$

 

[MickD]

It's not just about weight; it's about weight and where it is.  And the technique.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Glaucus said:

That's why "they" want us to overthink and over complicate things.

 

From lure colors, to line choices, to everything being technique specific, to the little things like balance. It = $$$

 

Still doesn't keep the bait monkey off our backs though, my friend. ?

[Glaucus]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Still doesn't keep the bait monkey off our backs though, my friend. ?

I solemnly swear to put up a fight next season.

[MN Fisher]

55 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

I solemnly swear to put up a fight next season.

I thought you said that LAST season?

 

I know I did...didn't help.

[Glaucus]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I thought you said that LAST season?

 

I know I did...didn't help.

Lol well to be fair this past season was my cheapest in awhile because I didn't get to fish much.

[deadadrift89]

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

  I think its just the way I hold a rod.

    With a spinning rod that is definitely a factor. I like to put my whole hand in front of where reel foot attaches to reel seat when working a drop shot. If I'm working a tube, ned or Texas rig in a tip up application I like to wrap my pinky finger behind the reel foot. 

     Me personally with both spinning/casting in tip up applications I will use a chair leg protector from hardware store and put whatever amount of quarters in it to balance rod where I want it. When I purchase reels for new setups I will buy a reel that is 1oz lighter over another and put that extra oz. of weight on butt of rod where it does the most good for tip up presentations.

[MickD]

Come on guys, it is not about "they."  It's about you.  You make the choices, buy or don't buy.  You are not being forced into anything.  How this even got into a discussion about balance is a mystery to me.  

4 minutes ago, stratoliner92 said:

extra oz. of weight on butt of rod where it does the most good for tip up presentations.

It the tip is up, balance is not an issue. At 90 degrees balance has no effect on anything.   As you go off 90 degrees, then it (balance) becomes an issue.  It is at its max at horizontal.  But for most tip up techniques, balance is not as important as many argue.

[deadadrift89]

10 minutes ago, MickD said:

  But for most tip up techniques, balance is not as important as many argue.

   Apparently not for you? ?

 

 

 

[WRB]

The old rule of thumb was your rod weight should be about 1/2 the reel weight.

That was when rods were 6'6" to 7" and reels weighed about 8 to 9 oz.

Today rods are lighter, longer and rod handles are longer plus reels weight about 25% less.

If the rod builder places the balance point (fulcrum) in the center of the reel seat the reel weight is neutralized. Most off the shelf rods are biult in length grouping ie; 7' to 7'3 have the same handle length and directly affects the balance point. Custom rod builder will optimize the balance point and a few off the shelf rod makers balance each rod, Dobyns for example.

When you tie on a lure the balance issue changes with each lure weight.

Tom 

[Finessegenics]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

The old rule of thumb was your rod weight should be about 1/2 the reel weight.

That was when rods were 6'6" to 7" and reels weighed about 8 to 9 oz.

Today rods are lighter, longer and rod handles are longer plus reels weight about 25% less.

If the rod builder places the balance point (fulcrum) in the center of the reel seat the reel weight is neutralized. Most off the shelf rods are biult in length grouping ie; 7' to 7'3 have the same handle length and directly affects the balance point. Custom rod builder will optimize the balance point and a few off the shelf rod makers balance each rod, Dobyns for example.

Tom 

This was the kind of response I was hoping someone would chime in with. Thank you

[galyonj]

3 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Not because my rig feels heavy in any way, just off balance ! After hearing you guys, I think its just the way I hold a rod. You probably saved me from dishing out some more money for an upgrade

If it's any consolation, every time I pick up a spinning rod I've got to fiddle with it for a while before I get my hand in a place where it feels natural. I usually end up with my pinky behind the reel foot for lack of anywhere better to put it.

[Finessegenics]

the way I hold a spinning outfit is pretty unorthdox. Here's a photo of me holding the combo i mentioned. Its just what feels most comfortable to me. ?

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

the way I hold a spinning outfit is pretty unorthdox. Here's a photo of me holding the combo i mentioned. Its just what feels most comfortable to me. ?

That's how I hold my spinners as well.

Never thought it was unorthodox.

 Now if it were up side down  . . .

That might be a little wacky . . 

 

 But my favorite was to hold them is like this . . . .

A-Jay

[Finessegenics]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

That's how I hold my spinners as well.

Never thought it was unorthodox.

 Now if it were up side down  . . .

That might be a little wacky . . 

 

 But my favorite was to hold them is like this . . . .

A-Jay

I didnt think it was unorthdox either! But I did a quick google and youtube search of "how to hold a spinning rod?". Seems like a lot of people put the reel stem between their middle and ring finger. Or, the stem is between the ring and pinky finger. Weird.  

2 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

I didnt think it was unorthdox either! But I did a quick google and youtube search of "how to hold a spinning rod?". Seems like a lot of people put the reel stem between their middle and ring finger. Or, the stem is between the ring and pinky finger. Weird.  

 

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Or, the stem is between the ring and pinky finger. Weird.  

What ever is comfortable for you and works. For me, between the ring and pinky finger works - lets me just drop the index finger to pick up the line prior to casting without stretching or having to use the other hand to put the loop on my index finger. It's the way I've done it since I got my first spinning rig back in '68.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There is no formula or rule of thumb and can’t be. Too many variables. Mainly, how you grip the rod. Moving your hand forward or back moves the fulcrum changing the balance feel. It’s 1000% personal preference. No right or wrong. I tend to hold a spinner with the stem between my ring and pinky finger, pretty much center mass of the reel so its weight makes little or no difference where balance is concerned. Same when palming a caster. 

[Yumeya]

I hold mine like this guy and sometimes like Aaron Martins 

So I think a lot of the balance depends on how you hold your combo.