I am not new to fishing done mostly saltwater, just new to freshwater. I keep hearing about balanced rods, or balancing the rod and reel together. I can understand the balancing part just not familiar with how to check if the rod is balanced or the rod and reel is balanced. OBTW this is a great forum with alot of good information keep up the good work.

the balance ponit is a personal issue.i balance mine so the they are balanced in the center of my baitcast reel.this is beacause i palm my reel so it's the logical point in my opinion.

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dodgeguy, is right it is a personal preference thing.

It depends on the balance point you desire. Whether you like the rod/reel combo tip heavy (where the tip points downward) when you hold the system, or whether like dodgeguy you like the rod/reel combo to feel neutral (equally balanced when you hold the system), or whether you like the rod weight to the butt of the rod/reel combo (butt heavy when you hold the system).

Most rack rods and reels will be tip heavy, to check for this hold your rod/reel in your hand as you would while fishing and loosen your grip, if the rod tips downward it is a tip heavy system. If it balances (no tip down or butt down) it is a neutral balanced combo. If it balances with the butt down (which is a rarety) it is butt heavy, and would be real uncomfortable fishing with).

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Tight Lines All!

to fine tune this even furthur i will say rods i cast with i balance neutral like reel mech says.rods i pitch/flip/worm/jig with are a hair butt heavy but not mcuh.they still balance at the reel but like a 1/4 inch back of center.this is because %99 of the time they are at 45 degrees feeling for bites.spinning rods i balance right at the neck of the reel.

When a rod is neutrally balanced it will feel lighter and more sensative.  It is definitly worth the effort.

spinning rods i balance right at the neck of the reel.

I prefer balancing my spinning outfits at the point where the rod rests upon my index finger.

like i said,personal preference.i could see why you would do that.

When a rod is neutrally balanced it will feel lighter and more sensative. It is definitly worth the effort.

AMEN..........I balanced most of my rods for the first time early this season, what a difference.

lets throw another little bit into the mix...

everyone talks about how light either rod and reel is... but then they throw a couple more ounces onto it to balance it...  while when its neutral balanced it does feel lighter in reality its NOT... could this effect you with your casting all day long?

and FYI... I have both, balanced and unbalanced and I really don't see much difference in the two when it comes to my lack of catching fish  ;D

AL

I have a friend that fishes G Loomis rods exclusively and balances every one and loves it. I fish G Loomis rod exclusively, except one St Croix, and tried the balancing and could not tell the difference in fishability. However I did feel the additional weight. I have spent a great deal of money buying light equipment and it seems a little crazy to me to add the additional weight.

As others have said, at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. What works for you...................Al