? brain fried reading all this, if you like a thicker blank, buy one.  If you like a thinner blank, get one. 

 

In the beginning, I was kinda like the OP and confused by different thicknesses.  I dont care for the bigger blanks.. but with new tech, they are super light.  I'm less concerned with the blank now, and more concerned with how it feels to fish.  Thsts hard to find out if you order it with out holding one first.  

 

Mike @Delaware Valley Tackle and @WRBexplained it well.  I think the OP was comparing apples to oranges.  Different blanks made in different ways. 

I like thicker blanks with a thicker handle. I have big hands and it just feels better. I also swing a hammer all day, and a 8 pound nail  gun. Along with a 8 pound skill saw and 8 pound sledge hammer. The talk about a rod difference of 3.7 or 4 ounces seems absolutely silly to me. Even if it’s on a tip up situation lol. 

Sorry if this sounds rude. I just don’t see how any 7’ rod can be to heavy to use all day. 

At 4 ounces. 

18 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Would you rather use a 4 pound nail gun or an 8 pound nail gun all day?  Assuming both are of equal performance and longevity. 

I understand the point. But the weights Difference is so minimal. In the rods we’re talking about. It’s like saying you can’t walk down the street cause you have .50 in change in your pocket. That’s about the weight difference. Do you put one quarter in each pocket so you stay better balanced. 
again not trying to be rude. But we’re talking about less weight then the shakey head with a finess worm. That might end up getting thrown on this rod. 

I’m no engineer. But I would think that since the thicker blanks are significantly thicker at the base as opposed to the tip. That it would put  the heavier end of the blank closer to your hand, improving balance and minimizing the weight difference. 
opposed to skinnier blanks that are allot more uniform from one end to the other. Giving the impression of tip heaviness at length. 
again just my thoughts. Could be totally wrong. 

15 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

No, but they do feel different. One of my sons and I were discussing this same thing a week ago. Both he and I like the thinner style because they feel more agile and lithe. The thicker style rods feel clumsy, rigid, sloppy and slow to us.

 

The thin rods to someone who prefers the thicker rods always seem to be lacking backbone, fishing light for it's rating, too floppy and wimpy etc.

 

This is something I wonder about when I'm reading all these threads asking for rod recommendations. No one ever asks about the preference of the person seeking advice. I know that this is a real thing and that it does matter because just about everybody I've talked to about it DID express a preference for one style or the other.

 

 

You’re just not comparing comparable rods. You can definitely get backbone and responsiveness in a thin walled larger diameter blank. You unnecessarily limit your options by summarily excluding one design type. 

Nothing wrong with a rod that has more girth to it.

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You’re just not comparing comparable rods. You can definitely get backbone and responsiveness in a thin walled larger diameter blank. You unnecessarily limit your options by summarily excluding one design type. 

Hmmm...I guess to call the rods comparable then you'd have to be comparing rods that are made exactly the same as each other? LOL

 

Of course you can get good rods in either style. In fact I said so already. My point is that there is a difference between the styles. I am not "summarily excluding" anything. I have and use both styles. But even if I was, why would I care because I would be excluding rods that I didn't like by buying the ones I like best, which is something we all try to do with each rod we buy. I just don't think it is a complete coincidence the the rods I like best tend to be the thinner style of rods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

I’m no engineer. But I would think that since the thicker blanks are significantly thicker at the base as opposed to the tip. That it would put  the heavier end of the blank closer to your hand, improving balance and minimizing the weight difference. 
opposed to skinnier blanks that are allot more uniform from one end to the other. Giving the impression of tip heaviness at length. 
again just my thoughts. Could be totally wrong. 

You are probably right on that point. But just as that is one difference, another difference is that force is transferred through an object differently depending on its shape. That is why an XF tip is usually thinner than a moderate tip. The shape makes a difference. Each factor makes some difference materials, process, shape, guide placement....all of it. That isn't really up for debate that is settled physics. There are plenty of combinations that work well and plenty that don't.

 

Everyone comes to prefer some combinations more than others. I'm not sure what the argument here is.

 

 

 

Cabin fever is still rampant?    Three year old thread.

 

I prefer rods that are mid to small diameter.  Two of the last rods I just ordered have larger than normal diameters.  The composite model is huge.  Near handle size huge.  However, I try to let performance be the final gauge.  Time will tell.  The composite model was a favorite in that line from one reviewer so I am expecting to wind up liking it.  But that huge diameter is initially off putting.