I'm in the process of re-building a 6'6" med-light spin rod that originally came with a full rear grip. Now I'm worried that a split grip will be too light to balance the rod in a slight tip up position. Anyone got any recommendations/ideas?

Linus,
You are 100% right.
Put some weight in the butt of the rod to balance, if you need to balance the rod.

Roger

Depending on how much weight you need, a tiger wrap or some sort of inlay & finish might be enough or a weighted butt cap.

Consider building the rod so the reel sits closer to the butt than it did in the original build - use the reel as a counterweight.

1. Switching to micro guides for your running guides will reduce much of the tip weight.

2. That will also reduce some of the epoxy and thread wight improving you situation.

3. Then if you still need a little further back balance you could add some weight to but.

A nice butt wrap between the splits with a few coats of finish on it should take care of the issue for you. Try that.

Kevin

Kevin Knox
ANGLER'S ENVY CUSTOM RODS
QUEEN ANNE, MD 21657
#_#_#_#_#
www.anglersenvy.com

What if you moved the reel seat and front split portion up a bit? No increase/decrease of weight, just distributed differently.

I agree with Steve Gardner. I have done this on many rods. The customer wanted a split grip and I would talk them into letting me static test it and put on micros. The rods balanced pretty well wiith reel on after all the changes. If you do put micro guides on, make sure that you don't just put them in the same place as where the old guides were. Static test it and place the guides that way. I think you will be amazed at the difference it makes overall. I have done 9 rods like that and every customer had the same reaction. They commented on how much lighter it was and how much less tip heavy it is. They also tell me that their casting distance increases and the rods are more comfortable to use all day long.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH