Would you add 3/4 oz weight to a 8’ ml spinning rod to make it balance level.  I replaced the handle in a 80mlf sc4 legend tournament wallleye rod with a xo skeleton.  Weight is 3.870 without adding weight.  I would epoxy lead into the EVA but cap (it is already hollow on the inside).  I was going to give the rod away (I hate the sk2 split spinning reel seats) and had barely used the rod but realized that the front part of the reel set was loose.  Now it has a handle I like! 

Not sure I would be adding additional weight, but do what you gotta do.

 

One thing about rod balance is how? When?

 

When and how is a rod balanced is the question.

 

Is a rod balanced with lure hanging at tip? Or is rod balanced when lure is in water and not adding its weight to combo?

 

When does a fisher person choose to have a balanced rod?

 

For me, I like to have them somewhat balanced out when the lure is in the water. I don't want the combo balanced with lure hanging off tip. I prefer them to be somewhat balanced out just between the rod and reel.

 

Changing reels can change the balance. Reels today, some are made with metal frames and some with plastic and carbon fiber. I will not buy reels with carbon fiber or plastic frames. So my metal frames tend to give me the weight I need to reach a nice balance.

 

I am not fond of tip heavy setups. But with an 8' rod its kind of hard to not have a heavy tip.

 

I also have one of those 8' MH rods but don't use it much. I much prefer the 7'6" rods.

The whole idea of balancing a rod has always puzzled me. People hold a rod horizontally with no lure to judge its perceived quality—if that matters to you, go for it. But in reality, as soon as you tie on a lure, the balance changes. Tilt the rod up and it changes again because the reel’s center of gravity isn’t in line with the blank, especially with spinning gear.

 

Here’s what really baffles me: folks spend hundreds to shave fractions of an ounce off a rod, then turn around and add weight to “balance” it. If that makes sense to you, great—but I’ve never quite understood it.

Florida Fishing Fool makes some good points. Much depends on your preference.  I don't add weight to any rod.

 

I think the most productive way to change the balance is with the reel used with it.  

I only added weight once to a rod, and did not like it, actually the very first rod I built.    I thought it might be time to revisit it in light of a 8’ rod. Most of my spinning rods balance right in front of the down locking reel seat.  The 8’ would need some help to accomplish that balance.  

 

Sounds like the consensus so far is to stick with not adding weight.  

I also added weight to the first 2 rods I built and was not a fan. I've since resorted to building split grip rods as you can adjust the length of the grip to help change the point of balance.

I'm with Mick and Tenn., balance is found only through fishing. Sometimes, a combo just doesn't feel right. Try a different reel, and it's like magic. For me it's a trial and error deal - just like what baits work best. There's no standard for balance point and no standard rod ratings. What works fine for you might be awful for me. Or the other way around. 

Also, for what it is worth, the rod I swapped the handle out was a 3.8 oz rod according to St. Croix website (2017 version).  Now, it is 3.870 oz rod when changed for the NFC XO skeleton handle.  Not bad at all.  I did shorten the blank.  I did more overlap than needed in the handle, about 6" with a full arbor under the reel seat portion.  

12 hours ago, MickD said:

Florida Fishing Fool makes some good points. Much depends on your preference.  I don't add weight to any rod.

 

I think the most productive way to change the balance is with the reel used with it.  

I’m soundly in this camp as well. 

Since we typically are holding a reel in our hand (fulcrum point), I fail to see how the reel itself would affect the balance any...if at all.

I was speaking regarding the reel mostly about spinning.  I must be holding the rod/reel off the fulcrum a little.  I noticed after changing out a 4000 Stradic for a 3000 LT Daiwa that I felt the balance had changed..  Might have been the total weight I was sensing.  

 

Regardless of what's going on, I don't add weight to rods.  I did once upon a time, added too much weight to a casting rod, and had it torque right out of my hands overboard.  Luckily I caught it.  

 

I think if balance is a major priority for a fisherman he is better off avoiding longer rods and sticking with the shorter ones.  

9 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

Since we typically are holding a reel in our hand (fulcrum point), I fail to see how the reel itself would affect the balance any...if at all.

 

On a spinning rod I only have my pinkie behind the reel stem and most of the weight of the rod is on my index finger which is 2-3" ahead of that.  Not a huge level arm, but enough that the reel matters.

As far as adding weight goes...

 

If the rod really "begs for it" I would use burl cork on the back end and maybe swap the guides for lighter ones.

17 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

Since we typically are holding a reel in our hand (fulcrum point), I fail to see how the reel itself would affect the balance any...if at all.

It depends on your grip, especially on a spinning reel imo. But I agree that the results are mixed and varied. 

I typically put the reel stem between ring and middle finger which I think limits the effect of a heavier reel.  But, for those who grip it more forward a heavier reel should help more. 

Well, I put an old 2007 Stradic 3000FI on it.  Reel should weigh about 9.5 oz (only found weights for a 2500 online)  But it almost balances level where the rest of my spinning rods do.  But, the first reel I put on it was a 7.2 oz reel.  So, more than 2 extra ounces at the reel vs. 3/4 oz at the butt.   I think it feels different to have weight at the butt end though.   Just an fyi.  It is finished without adding weight.  

 

The FI's and FJ's were at the peak of that line of reel

As noted not all reels are built the same, the amount of reel mass in front and behind the stem along with size can easily affect balance, reel size also as can along with how many fingers you put in front of the stem as you fish, after all the Skamania Grip on steelhead/salmon rods was developed to use the reel as a counterweight to the rod's length to improve balance.

15 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

 

The FI's and FJ's were at the peak of that line of reel

Where did your post against Shimano and lighter reels with plastic gears complete w pictures go? I read it last night. It’s gone did you make a deep edit? 

I did. I figured I would cover that stuff in a dedicated thread one day.

 

When I woke up today and checked the forum, I saw no replies and wondered if I had said something that could get me in trouble. Silence says I've been bad! I did go off on that brand some. But it applies to all of them. So I said to myself maybe that one should just disappear for now.

 

Did you have any comments on it? I'm curious.

Good to know.  I have probably fallen for the “lighter is better” hype a bit too much.  

Not just reels. Rods too!

 

Gone are the days when every rod had a quality reel seat on it with a steel strap. Today we have reel seats so cheap they don't last a season. A buddy bought one of the big blue store $39.99 rods and broke the clear plastic reel seat out on first good fish.

 

 

51 minutes ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

I did. I figured I would cover that stuff in a dedicated thread one day.

 

When I woke up today and checked the forum, I saw no replies and wondered if I had said something that could get me in trouble. Silence says I've been bad! I did go off on that brand some. But it applies to all of them. So I said to myself maybe that one should just disappear for now.

 

Did you have any comments on it? I'm curious.

I’ll wait till you repost, I was really tired when I saw it last night rather late. 
 

I will say that reel looked hard used w no maintenance performed at proper intervals. 
Especially as it pertains to felt washers. Pretty easy to deduce from your excellent photos..

When you build any rod you need to check it with the intended reel/handle/guides on it.   Use masking tape, and if it's top or back heavy then move the reel location a bit.  That'll locate the proper place for the handle.   

I cut the blanks before I build it.   Only if I want a certain length I can't buy, but can really mess up the action/flex, if not done right or pick the wrong blank.

There are other ways to add weight than just glue some in.   That's probably better for a factory rig that's not balanced or reel - rod bought separate.   Build it right you won't need weights.

Balance is easy to adjust using a spinning rod by moving your reel hand forward to change the pivot point and reduce tip weight.

Tom