Balancing a rod?

[Little Luey]

I seen some post where they mention balancing a rod.

what is this and why would I want to do that to my rods?

how can you tell if your rods is ballanced or if it needs to be?

[Wayne P.]

Weight is added to the butt of a rod to lessen the effort it takes to hold the tip up. It reduces arm muscle strain. With the right balance, detecting a bite using jigs, and soft plastics is enhanced.

When I balance mine, even though I add weight, the rod feels lighter. In some cases as I hold it with no lure tied on, the rod tip rises when held lightly.

A good quality rod built with a light weight blank and light weight guides, minimum handle hardware, with minimum finish will need little or no balancing.

[Little Luey]

ok, I see what you are saying.

so I am thinking then that not all rods are balanced when they are manufactured?

or just some better than others? I would think the higher end rods should be, right?

does the size of the reel or lure affect balancing?

[BigBassGuy]

No, most rods don't come balanced, it all depends on the users preference and the reel that is used. I don't balance all of my rods, the ones that I feel need to be are ones where you need the most amount of sensitivity, and comfort. Rods I use for casting cranks, spinnerbaits and such I won't, because I feel it just adds unneeded weight. Most of the time I will balance the rod with the lure sitting on the ground, the only time I have ever taken the lure into consideration is if I'm jigging a heavy lure (1/2oz+) all day I will grab an extra weight and slip it in, just so my wrist doesn't become fatigued.

I use these and they work well

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=16515&hvarTarget=search&hvarAID=&cmCat=2222206

[Wayne P.]

I have some custom rods that were balanced to my specifications when I ordered them. Otherwise BigBassGuy is correct. I do most of my balancing using a correct size plastic chair tip with a mashed lead egg sinker inserted. I also have some of the BPS accessory balancers and some BPS rods that are equipped with the balancing system.

[FishingPirate]

I only have one rod balanced and I like it. I had an XPS kit on it and it started rattling to the point that I had to take it off to remain sane. I couldnt hardly fish with it after that so I taped up some stuff in it and it rattles no more.

[dodgeguy]

'i balance all my rods.

[BigBassGuy]

A quick tip that FishingPirate just reminded me of. The Rod Balancer in the link that I posted above has a tendency to loosen up after a few casts and the weight will start rattling. A quick and permanent fix is to take the cap off and put a piece of plastic worm, jig trailer, whatever you have handy, between the weights and it will eliminate the rattle for good.

[dodgeguy]

once i find the perfect balance it's glued to the rod.

[Little Luey]

Thanks for commenting everyone.

I may just have to try it with one of my rods and see how I like it.

[.RM.]

Here is a little reading material on the subject..

Balancing Your Fishing Rods

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!  

[Little Luey]

Good article, thanks for sharing.

[reo]

Great read. I would also add that if you think that the rod will get another reel that is not the same weight, masking tape can be used on the weights to 'build' them up for a tight fit inside the blank for easier removal for future adjustment.

[Wayne P.]

I have done the inside the blank weighting and prefer the exterior butt addition as it gets keeps the fulcrum more towards the butt and takes less weight.

[CWB]

I have some custom rods that were balanced to my specifications when I ordered them. Otherwise BigBassGuy is correct. I do most of my balancing using a correct size plastic chair tip with a mashed lead egg sinker inserted. I also have some of the BPS accessory balancers and some BPS rods that are equipped with the balancing system.

I use the chair tips also and put the correct amount of washers inside to achieve balance, then tape it on with electrical tape.

Works great.

[Cravin]

Ive put some thought into this but have yet to balance a rod, now that I have the tip heavy MOJO I might balance it. I've fished it quite a few times and the only time I notice the tip weight is when I'm not fishing it.  :-/  I palm the reel so I think it doesn't affect me as much as someone who may hold farther back?  

[dodgeguy]

a perfectly balanced rod balances at the center of the reel seat.since you palm the reel it would benefit you more than someone who doesn't palm the reel.

[Fish Chris]

Yes what CWB said, but let me just clarify it a bit.

Chair tips = Black, rubber table and chair leg caps, 1 1/8" to be exact. You can get them at just about any good hardware store, 4 for like $2.89 or something.

Now check this out.... washers ? Sure maybe. But guess what fits perfectly into a 1 1/8" table leg cap ??? Quarters :-)

Simply try just the weight of the rubber cap first (this works well with my micro-lights). Then maybe a quarter or two on your medium rods. I've used up to 4 quarters on on my heavy spinning rods (no, two 50 cent pieces or a silver doller won't work  ;D

Oh, but forget tape. Once you have them feeling just right, simply shoot a glob of silicone into the cap on top of the quarters, push the cap on to the butt (make sure it's straight) and let it cure overnight. Bam ! Your rod is balanced for life.

Anyway, I balance ALL of my rods, before thier first use, and as was mentioned above, although you are actually adding a small amount of weight, the better balance makes them "feel" lighter, and cause less fatigue on a long fishing day.

Peace,

Fish

[detroit1]

I balance only 2 of my rods: dropshot, and my big bait rod. I want my crank rod to be tip heavy, jig/worm is butt heavy, and my misc. rods (spin) i leave alone.