lol Ben, you're right ........ it's a monkey see monkey do thing. I only do what I see the pros do. I guess that means I'll have to go back to holding the rod in my right hand when I flip and pitch. It's going to be a shame though, because holding the rod in my left hand for those presentations definitely has its advantages. That, and I'm really good at it.

Oh well ....... wouldn't want to do something the pros don't do. It might cost me a man card or something.

Pro Anglers are exceptional and extremely knowledgeable fishermen. They have come up with a lot of innovations and tecniques which have helped all types of fishermen. I don't think monkey is a term I would use to describe people who wish to improve their fishing skills and fishing success. You try to learn from the best and improve upon it.
Norm

This may come as surprise to many but there is an incrediblle number of exceptional and knowledgeable fisherman who are not pro anglers with their own TV show..i have been very fortunate to have fished with some of them..they each have their own style and technique which they have honed to a degree that is almost scary, if your a fish.lol..they walk or should i say fish down their own path..if your lucky enough to know these type of people you are very fortunate indeed..

I agree there are a lot of excellent fishermen out there. I know a bunch of them including many tournament fishermen. You learn from these guy and pass the knowledge on. Learning is not the same thing as blindly following. Whether you like it or not many Pro fishermen are extremely knowledgeable and are also excellent teachers. Because of their success they have a wide audience and are able to educate more people and influence the fishing tackle market in ways we can not. I think competition is a good thing, it brings about innovation in not only techniques, but also equipment.
Norm

Wow! Great discussion!, Great ideas and insight from everyone!!! Thanks for typing out your responses and not just posting a link. Very much appreciated. The knowledge and willingness to share on this forum is amazing. Thank you

Norm, i look at them simply as indorsers for their sponsers and will say just about anything to sell for the sponsers or they lose sponsers..there is nothing innovative about that..it,s the oldest profession in the world as famously pointed out.

Sorry Ben, I don’t share your sentiments. The reason they have sponsors is because they are excellent and knowledgeable fishermen. Their sponsors don’t catch the fish, they do. I have seen them in action. They go to a lake or river and within a minimum period of time they are catching stringers that most locals just dream about, even in the harshest conditions. It’s not an easy way to make a living, only the best survive, and many of these guys willingly share their knowledge. They know exactly what they want in a rod to fit their individual fishing style. These guy are really good.
Norm

Well Ben that tears it. There's no need to reply if you don't understand the situation. It's a fatigue issue! These are custom rods and can be made perfect for the assigned task when one understands the task!

I have never added weight to a rod to get it to "balance" but apparently this is a popular feature in rod building. What material is most popular for increasing a rod's weight to make it to balance?