Why balancing a rod matters

Started by FD, November 10, 2022, 05:38:39 PM

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FD

This is how and why I balance rods.  The rod in the vid is Flatts new Flippin/Pitchin stick.

https://youtu.be/Dw9SZVjrPCA
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apenland01

Very cool video, thanks for sharing!  You must eat a lot of popsicles......

big g

Another great vid Lee.  Interesting stuff I've learned from you.   Did you get a final vid on the boat yet?  Keep them coming.
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FD

Quote from: apenland01 on November 10, 2022, 06:23:10 PM
Very cool video, thanks for sharing!  You must eat a lot of popsicles......
You're a funny guys Alf.

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FD

Quote from: big g on November 12, 2022, 08:45:01 PM
Another great vid Lee.  Interesting stuff I've learned from you.   Did you get a final vid on the boat yet?  Keep them coming.
Still working on the boat.  New video came out yesterday.  I'll put it up in Dock Talk.

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Donald Garner

Lee, tks for putting the video together.  They're always interesting to watch.
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SteveTX

Nice video. 👍🏼
Id like to ask do you have, or have you had, customers who are particular enough to want their rods made with the reel weights calculated into the rods balancing? I presume you could build around a specific reel weight or is that something you take into consideration?
I am a stickler for the weight thing. I cannot stand a heavy rod and reel package or even a tip heavy rod. I have a messed up shoulder and elbows and extra weight just shortens my day.

FD

I set the balance point at the front of the reel seat.  Most people palm a baitcaster so the weight of the reel doesn't make a measurable difference.

The overall weight of the rod, IMO, is much less important than the balance.  A 4 oz rod that is not balanced is much more fatiguing than a properly balanced 6 oz rod.



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ohiobass

I use a rubber chair leg cap that I get at Home Depot, on butt of my rods to balance. Sometimes add a quarter inside it if needing more weight to balance.

Dink Dawg

I strongly agree with FD.  When you put a 7-8 or 8 foot flippin rod in your hand all day, balance is even more of a priority.  Proper balance creates, what I refer to, as neutral in the hand feeling.  I'm convinced this actually enhances the sensitivity of the rod. 

topdsm0138

Proper balance is also easier on our wrists. I never gave much thought on the subjects until I started using these Dobyns and Favorite rods, then I could feel a difference at the end of the day. Especially when your hands and wrists nolonger hurt, having a long drive home after a trip.

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ohiobass

Quote from: topdsm0138 on February 09, 2023, 07:25:09 AM
Proper balance is also easier on our wrists. I never gave much thought on the subjects until I started using these Dobyns and Favorite rods, then I could feel a difference at the end of the day. Especially when your hands and wrists nolonger hurt, having a long drive home after a trip.

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without a doubt! If fishing a rod "tip up" all day, and it is a tad tip heavy, it works on your wrist for sure!

Smallie_Stalker

Quote from: Dink Dawg on February 08, 2023, 08:34:53 PM
I strongly agree with FD.  When you put a 7-8 or 8 foot flippin rod in your hand all day, balance is even more of a priority.  Proper balance creates, what I refer to, as neutral in the hand feeling.  I'm convinced this actually enhances the sensitivity of the rod.
X2.

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FD

Quote from: Dink Dawg on February 08, 2023, 08:34:53 PM
I strongly agree with FD.  When you put a 7-8 or 8 foot flippin rod in your hand all day, balance is even more of a priority.  Proper balance creates, what I refer to, as neutral in the hand feeling.  I'm convinced this actually enhances the sensitivity of the rod.
When your forearms aren't numb and cramping from flipping all day, any rod is more sensitive...

I just buried 1oz in the butt of a 7-11 XH-F fluppin stick I'm building and now it feels light as a feather.

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Hobious

I admit this makes no sense to me.  There's no reel, line, or bait on that thing. The rod might be balanced, but the system isn't.

J.W.

Quote from: Hobious on May 19, 2023, 07:51:41 AM
I admit this makes no sense to me.  There's no reel, line, or bait on that thing. The rod might be balanced, but the system isn't.
I may be wrong, but the way I see it, the reel will basically be in your hand (casting setup) or right under your hand (spinning setup), in other words, right at the "fulcrum." So I don't imagine the reel weight upsetting the balance all that much. And lure weight can be accounted for within reason by knowing what type of rod it's going to be. The weight of the line that's running through the guides is almost certainly negligible. The weight of line on the spool wouldn't matter because, like the reel, it's right there at your hand.

topdsm0138

Quote from: Hobious on May 19, 2023, 07:51:41 AM
I admit this makes no sense to me.  There's no reel, line, or bait on that thing. The rod might be balanced, but the system isn't.
I believe that when a majority of us say Balance a "rod," in actuality, we mean the whole setup/combo. It's just more of a general statement as there are now 100's of choices & combos to pick from, and each one of those will act and feel differently.

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FD

Quote from: J.W. on May 19, 2023, 09:19:15 AM
Quote from: Hobious on May 19, 2023, 07:51:41 AM
I admit this makes no sense to me.  There's no reel, line, or bait on that thing. The rod might be balanced, but the system isn't.
I may be wrong, but the way I see it, the reel will basically be in your hand (casting setup) or right under your hand (spinning setup), in other words, right at the "fulcrum." So I don't imagine the reel weight upsetting the balance all that much. And lure weight can be accounted for within reason by knowing what type of rod it's going to be. The weight of the line that's running through the guides is almost certainly negligible. The weight of line on the spool wouldn't matter because, like the reel, it's right there at your hand.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

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Hobious

Different techniques require different balance point, no?    Like a rod for punching vs a rod for casting super far, like a surf casting rod. 

FD

Quote from: Hobious on May 21, 2023, 08:27:13 PM
Different techniques require different balance point, no?    Like a rod for punching vs a rod for casting super far, like a surf casting rod.

Yes, some do.  I know from my client what the intended use is before I build a rod.  Heavy punching rods, for example, I will negative balance as much as 2 oz behind the reel seat to offset the punch weight.  When you pick up a commercial flipping stick, it is most likely to be very tip heavy unless it has a very long handle.  That tip heavy feel plus the punch weight, significantly increases the amount of fatigue in the forearms and shoulders.

However, most don't.  In general, the perceived weight of a technique, is primarily due to the resistance of the bait against the water as you retrieve it.  That weight is mitigated by proper blank choice as much as possible. 

For 90% of the techniques, balance in the hand is more important from general fatigue and pleasure of fishing points of view.
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