So I’m sitting here waiting for a new setup and for fishing to become worthwhile weatherwise. And as I read through posts and people’s opinions, I come to this question:

 

Do you think it’s better to reduce the weight of your setup by getting a lighter reel or a lighter rod? Or is all weight the same, so it doesn’t matter?

 

It should feel good in your hands while fishing regardless of weight listed on the labels.

Balance is important for me. Fishing with a tip heavy combo is less than satisfying to me. Lightweight and balanced is sublime.

 

If I had to choose, balance is more important than lightweight.

I never worry about it but One exception that comes to mind: I do like having the lightest spinning combo possible when fishing trout streams in the smokies, but that’s mostly because the fish are generally tiny. In these cases, I like the rod to be light and bendy, and of course hanging a heavy reel on that would be awkward. If you’re going to go light, I would say make both the rod and reel match/compatible 

If it must be unbalanced I'll take light rod/heavy reel over heavy rod/light reel 100% of the time

Even the lightest rods can feel tip heavy at times, so it really comes down to balance. Let's face it, if a couple of ounces is going to break you, you've got some issues to iron out. 

If a rod is a bit tip heavy, I would probably pair it with a slightly heavier reel to balance it out. 

Balance is number 1. Then a light reel and a light rod at the same time. I used to use balance weights on my rods but once I got a light rod that was balanced that went out the window

6 hours ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

Let's face it, if a couple of ounces is going to break you, you've got some issues to iron out. 

I’m one of those who has issues to iron out ?...I have become a weight junkie.  And if I had to choose 1, give me a light rod over a light reel.

Its nice to have light weight gear, but what really matters is felt weight.  You want the balancing point to be where you grip your rod.  

9 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Its nice to have light weight gear, but what really matters is felt weight.  You want the balancing point to be where you grip your rod.  

Trust me, the felt weight on a 3 1/2 oz rod is pretty low ?.

Lighter weight will make a difference when you’re chunking and winding for 10 hours. 

1 hour ago, RDB said:

Trust me, the felt weight on a 3 1/2 oz rod is pretty low ?.

I didnt think you good ole boys used fairy wands

Rod weight is obviously more important since your grabbing the reel, the weight that you really notice is mostly the result of rod. That being said the weight itself of the rod is not the only factor, balance makes a difference. I currently have a 7’3” Zodias that feels lighter than a 7’3” nrx i had and it’s because the weight of the butt section balances out the tip better. There are other factors but your best bet is to take your reel to a store and put it on a few different rods to see what feels good to you.

9 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Its nice to have light weight gear, but what really matters is felt weight.  You want the balancing point to be where you grip your rod.  

 

Spinning, yes, that I can do.  Baitcast, I've never understood how to do that -- I grip the rod at the reel.

 

Give me brass gears, metal bodies, and sideplates (except in the middle of winter for the last one) and weight of the reel be darned. I'm thinking of getting the patent on helium infused grease and oil (optimized to individual gear ratios of course ), ya'll will buy anything...  

10 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I didnt think you good ole boys used fairy wands

Lol...nah I’m talking baitcasters.

54 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Give me brass gears, metal bodies, and sideplates (except in the middle of winter for the last one) and weight of the reel be darned. I'm thinking of getting the patent on helium infused grease and oil (optimized to individual gear ratios of course ), ya'll will buy anything...  

 

I know. Lots of guys want that “solid” gear. Use it if you like it. I’ll pass on that because solid usually means heavy. 

34 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

 

I know. Lots of guys want that “solid” gear. Use it if you like it. I’ll pass on that because solid usually means heavy. 

My Calais 200  is doing the talk to the hand thing...

5 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

My Calais 200  is doing the talk to the hand thing...

I don’t use a reel that solid unless I’m likely to catch something over 25lbs.

I consider weight of my combo when fishing specific techniques and as long as I feel comfortable when palming both reel and rod. Balancing point is varied mostly on the tip of my index finger both casting and spinning. 

1 hour ago, CrankFate said:

 

I know. Lots of guys want that “solid” gear. Use it if you like it. I’ll pass on that because solid usually means heavy. 

I don’t mind draging hopping Jig with Bantam MGL and Zodias High rod for day. That reel alone when more than some of my setups, btw.

Maybe some enterprising anglers will list their rod weights instead of saying it feels light weight.

3 custom ALX 5 & power JWR, 6’10” wt”3.8 oz ( 9 yrs).

MC Iovino 6’8” MF Splash-It rod wt 3.7 oz (3 yrs).

SC spinning Victory VS610MLXF, 6’10” wt 3.3 oz. (new).

Rod should be 1/2 the weight of the reel to feel light and balanced.

Tom

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Maybe some enterprising anglers will list their rod weights instead of saying it feels light weight.

3 custom ALX 5 & power JWR, 6’10” wt”3.8 oz ( 9 yrs).

MC Iovino 6’8” MF Splash-It rod wt 3.7 oz (3 yrs).

SC spinning Victory VS610MLXF, 6’10” wt 3.3 oz. (new).

Rod should be 1/2 the weight of the reel to feel light and balanced.

Tom

I haven’t weighed my lighter rods in some time but I can ballpark.
Baitcasters

- Conquest 842 - mid 3’s

- Z-Bone 3 & 5 power - mid to upper 3’s

- NRX 893 - low 4’s

Spinning

- NRX DSR & 852 - mid 3’s

- Avid X ML/XF - mid 3’s

- Z-Bone 2 Power - mid 3’s

 

I don’t have anything as low as your Victory.

"I didnt think you good ole boys used fairy wands"

 

I know what a real good ole boy is, but what the heck is a fairy wand? Sounds like some kind of silly insult.

 

I love all of my Conquest rods because they're featherweight, sensitive and strong as heck, but I'm still big enough to fish my 10-, 11- and 12-foot surf rods with one hand even at my advanced age.

2 minutes ago, Johnbt said:

I know what a real good ole boy is, but what the heck is a fairy wand? Sounds like some kind of silly insult.

Fairy Wand = derogatory term for spinning gear.

1 hour ago, Johnbt said:

"I didnt think you good ole boys used fairy wands"

 

I know what a real good ole boy is, but what the heck is a fairy wand? Sounds like some kind of silly insult.

 

I love all of my Conquest rods because they're featherweight, sensitive and strong as heck, but I'm still big enough to fish my 10-, 11- and 12-foot surf rods with one hand even at my advanced age.

Guesstimates are just that ...guesses. Nice to know what the rods actually weigh.

Tom