Does reel weight affect sensitivity of the rod?

[Ibock]

Does rod weight or the material it's built out of matter when it comes to rod sensitivity?  I have had to use a cheap spinning reel on my NRX+ and then I put an Abu Garcia Zenon spinning reel on the rod and I swear it jumped the rods sensitivity.  Am I losing my mind or does this affect the rod?

[Mobasser]

By putting that ABU reel on there, you made your outfit lighter, which helps with sensitivity.

[Dwight Hottle]

The weight of the reel affects the sensitivity of the rod especially when it perfectly balances the combo. 

[Ibock]

The reel is 2 oz lighter than the other one so that makes sense.  I am still shocked at what a big difference that makes.

[MN Fisher]

28 minutes ago, Ibock said:

I am still shocked at what a big difference that makes.

That's the reason I use 1000 size spinners on my finesse rigs instead of 2500 like most others...reel weight for the same brand/model is usually 1oz lighter for the 1000 size.

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

Yes, the overall weight of the system (rod and reel) does influence the response of the signals. The signals, vibrations, are essentially some level of movement. A heavier system, more mass, will have more inertia needed to get it moving. 

 

@MN Fisher identifies his approach to lowering that overall system weight. I use a similar theme favoring 1000 or 500 sized spinning reels for my ultra lite gear. 

 

I will point out there is a significant weight difference even between reels of the similar sizes. The build materials influence that overall weight. So have a good time shopping and comparing the different offerings to find what best suites your needs.

 

The lighter weight rigs are kinder to my arms and hands throughout a day of angling. I’m doing what I can to recreate with minimal effort. Yeah, I don’t want to work that hard to goof off. Be well and Cheers!

[WRB]

Balance plus light weight with a smooth operating reel and guide train helps to reduce damping affects of line movement that is falsely call sensitivity.

Tom

 

[Columbia Craw]

Normally I’m pretty sensitive of this topic.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

So long as it's a balanced outfit a lighter reel is going to increase felt sensitivity.  

[bulldog1935]

I have only one rod that I can feel the difference of reel weight, and since it's in my lightest-touch salt finesse niche (big fish on tiny winter bait), this makes me happy.  It's an 8' rod that weighs 73 g.  

[Big Hands]

 

On 5/17/2024 at 12:18 PM, Ibock said:

I have had to use a cheap spinning reel on my NRX+ and then I put an Abu Garcia Zenon spinning reel on the rod and I swear it jumped the rods sensitivity.  Am I losing my mind or does this affect the rod?

 

That's awesome. Check this out. . . .

 

 

You'll thank me one day, but you won't know why.