Tip Heavy Rods

[*Hootie]

I always hear comments about a particular rod being tip heavy and I understand this.

Well, here we have another new reel in the 5+ oz. weight class, the new Johnny Morris carbonlite.

With the new reels getting lighter and lighter, aren’t we going to reach the point where almost any rod is going to be tip heavy?

Just something to ponder.

Hootie

[dodgeguy]

rods being tip heavy do not have anything to do with reel weight.a balanced rod is balanced where you hold it which for most of us is the center of the reel seat.if you balance it to that point it will be balanced with any reel.yes there are anglers who don't hold there rods by palming the reel and they would be an exception.some people don't like extra weight needed to balance a rodt and would prefer to have a rod be slightly tip heavy.i prefer my rods to balance on my finger under the center of the reel seat making the tip totally weightless.

[*Hootie]

I see what you mean. That explains why I not too crazy about one of my rods. Mojo bass rods I took the reel off to test it . I had to move my finger about 1 ft. up from the reel seat to get it to balance out.

Very interesting.

[SirSnookalot]

The weight of each lure used will affect how tip heavy the rod is. I like the rod to be a little tip heavy, it loads up better and casts easier and further.

I think the weight of the real does make a difference. I had been using medalist 5000 ( 18 oz ) and switched to a Cabo 30 on the same rod ( apx 14oz) the feel and balance was greatly affected. The equation works the same with lighter rods and lighter reels. Perfect balance is a commodity I don't seek.

[dodgeguy]

with all due respect your using reels that weigh more than most guys entire combo.my scenario would still hold true if you considered the balance point to be the center of the reel seat.yes if the rod is not balanced to the center of the seat then the reel weight will cause a difference.the 4 oz difference in your reels is more weight than i use to balance two rods.heavier equipment is also harder to balance as it takes even more weight.then again catching tarpon does require heavier equipment.

[Fat-G]

After using a very balanced rod, I could never go back to a tip-heavy rod, such as a St. Croix. I have no doubt that Croix makes one of the best blanks in the business, but their finished rods all feel extremely tip-heavy to me.

Seriously, when I get a custom it will be on a Legend Extreme blank.

[SirSnookalot]

@Dodgeboy, using a heavier outfit as an example was extreme to make a point, the equation is the same with lighter rods and reels. My bass gear is on the light side, I don't ever use anything heavier than a med spinning rod and a 2000 reel, which feels perfect to me.

then again catching tarpon does require heavier equipment.

Does it ?

Most of the tarpon you see caught on TV are bigger( and caught by experts), in reality the majority of tarpon caught are what are referred to as juvies, 50# and under. Much of your bass equipment would handle them, providing you had some experience in knowing how to fight and land them. I probably catch between 30 -50 of them each year.

I apologize for getting sidetracked, not my intention to give a tutorial on tarpon fishing.

[dodgeguy]

i like the tarpon tutorial.someday i hope to catch one.i don't know if i'd try it on my bass rods.

[SirSnookalot]

i like the tarpon tutorial.someday i hope to catch one.i don't know if i'd try it on my bass rods.

Most that we run into are in the 20-30 range, not a big fish but a pretty good fight. Most of the bass rods would work, but I wouldn't use one..........a good size foregrip is a great asset. I was watching Bill Dance on TV fishing for redfish, using his guides spinning gear. The guide says to Bill, try your bass outfit and he hooks a red. To land that fish he had his hand fairly high up on the shaft, and he is an expert. This only strengthened my opinion on having a foregrip on my rods. I prefer a foregrip on my bass rods too, I know lots of people don't, but I like as much leverage on a fish as I can get............bear in mind I'm strictly spinning man.

[dodgeguy]

i prefer a foregrip and a complete handle.the foregrip for the reason you mention and the complete handle because of the rearward weight.