Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> A fun discussion. But before bass fishermen with
> their wacky worms attempt to define themselves as
> leading authorities on light bites they might try
> fishing some #18 nymphs upstream. .

Heh, the two techniques I balance for have anything but light bites. I think this thread makes it pretty obvious that there is no clear 'right' way to build a rod. Makes it more fun this way.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

My 7' spinning rods balance when held by one finger just even with the reel spool lip or a little bit forward of that point. Does this seem right? The reel mounted also affects the balance point for me.

Balancing a rod by adding weight to the butt may well make the rod more comfortable to fish with for some or some may feel that a rod that is well balanced is less tiring over extended periods of fishing, however, do not confuse these subjective considerations with sensitivity. Adding weight or mass will reduce a rods sensitivity. Sensitivity can be clearly defined, and can be measured. It is not subjective.

Emory,
I'll agree with you on that. The rods I balance require very little in regards to sensitivity...but a lot in regards to comfort. I balance for comfort.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Some balance for Survival and to Win Money!

The sensitive ones are the fourth - tenth place finishers!

I would venture to say that the vast majority of anglers do NOT fish competitively!!! That does not make them any less proficient as an angler. I don't think that balancing will make anyone a better angler although I'm sure would benefit someone that makes 1,000's of cast a day consistantly

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Bill,
And many more balance because they do not realize how much damage they are doing by adding the extra weight.
Think about it like this: adding weigh has the same affect as lowering the modulus of elasticity of the material in the blank except that you do not gain the higher strain energy or toughness that lowering the modulus of elasticity gets you.
Does it makes sense to you to pay for an expensive high modulus blank and then in affect turn it into an intermediate or even a standard modulus blank by adding weight. It certainly does not make sense to me.