Hello,

Ross-
Thanks I appreciate the info it was a great read and thats some impressive distances you folks are getting, much more than I would have thought possible. I grew up fishing the salt and surf in Hawaii, and while the longer rear-grips are great for leverage while casting heavy lures and baits, there are times when we must use much lighter steelhead type rods such as when casting out small salt-water grass shrimp beneath a popping cork or floater.

Thinking about it, on some of my factory rods I've been unconsciously moving my hand after the cast--from the reel seat to high up on the fore grip--for better "feel" and balance while working the floater with a spinning reel. Looks like I'll have to take a closer look at those Skamania/Michigan style handles one of these days.

-chad

Strictly a personal preference issue, in my opinion. I don't see how adding weight to a graphite rod built with modern lightweight components, for the sole purpose of changing the center of gravity to where it balances perfectly in your hand can add enough value to the performance to be worthwhile. But if it feels good to someone, by all means do it. That's what we custom builders are here for anyway. But, I truly believe that if fatigue from holding the rod in your hand or casting all day is the concern, then addressing the total weight of the rod will yield more value than changing the balance point. Remember the reel is almost always the heaviest part and that's where you hand (the fulcrum point) is ... so?

Adam Curtis Wrote:
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> What about using a different reel?

Hi Adam,

If I was going to change the reel to balance the rod it would have to be a bigger/heavier reel as the rod with the present reel is just a tad front heavy when held in a fishing grip. And I sure don't want to get bigger with the reel.

I ask the question because I just missed balancing the whole rig by about 1 inch with the reel placement. But, I am seeing that most would not call that a "mistake" which is kind of what I was thinking.

Thanks for all the discussion....this is a great board and I always learn something here.

Joe