"The reel stem"

"Where you put your index finger to hold the line."

Any other opinions about where an 11' spinning surf rod should balance? Either of the two options I just mentioned will require an 8-12 oz. counterweight added to the butt (not ideal to add that much to the rod on a whole), and the reel is not moveable.

On an 11 foot surf rod, I would suggest that if you can get it to balance within a foot of the reel toward the tip, you will be in good shape.

It makes 0 sense to add weight to a surf rod, since for many folks the surf rods just sits in a rod holder in between casts.

I would certainly add no weight to the rod.

A balanced rod makes more sense for a rod like a bass rod that is used to make hundred of casts a day and that when not casting is still in the hands of the person doing the fishing.

Be safe

roger wilson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On an 11 foot surf rod, I would suggest that if
> you can get it to balance within a foot of the
> reel toward the tip, you will be in good shape.
>
> It makes 0 sense to add weight to a surf rod,
> since for many folks the surf rods just sits in a
> rod holder in between casts.
>
> I would certainly add no weight to the rod.
>
> A balanced rod makes more sense for a rod like a
> bass rod that is used to make hundred of casts a
> day and that when not casting is still in the
> hands of the person doing the fishing.
>
> Be safe


Thanks, Roger. That's the sentiment I'm leaning towards. Unless I'm looking at adding 20+ yards to my casting distance, I'll leave it alone and just keep practicing.

Where a rod should "balance," if it should balance at all, has much to do with the technique and type fishing it's being used for. In some cases, such as yours with a long surf rod, balancing a rod anywhere near your reel hand requires so much weight as to make any such balancing more of an unnecessary evil than anything else.

...................

Roger and Tom make good points. Most important is to build the rod so it's comfortable to cast, reel, and fight fish. Last thing you want to do is add unnecessary weight. Good luck MH

I have always wondered why a rod should balance. Baseball bats, golf clubs, tennis racquets and a host of other sporting equipment do not balance. I even prefer a muzzle-heavy shotgun. Why should a fishing rod balance, and at what moment in the act of fishing should that balance occur?

The "Balance" issue is largely marketing by rod makers to bass fishermen that are obsessed with sensitivity. Many have been conviced a butt heavy rod "feels lighter in hand".

Phil,
For walleye fishing with a light jig, one often fishes with a slack or semi slack line. One often feels for the ultra light tap that signifies a very light biting fish. If one can effectively just let the rod lay in the palm of the hand balanced, with the jib on the bottom and the line semi tight, it is very easy to sense these very light bites if the rod is balanced. The hand is not clenched holding a tip heavy rod and one has just as much feeling in the hand at the end of the day as one has at the beginning of the day.

In long past years, I have added weight to the butt of the rod to achieve this, but now; no longer ever add any weight. I achieve rod balance with light guide selection, light weight blanks and appropriate length back grip and reel size to achieve the balance that I desire.

Be safe

With spinning rods I've found I can move my hand forward, more fingers in front of the reel stem, and use the reel's weight as a balancing counterweight. No extra weight needed.