Thanks for such an informative answer Dave.

Falcon

I must be a tip heavy guy, as I prefer the balance point to be just in front of my index finger of my palming hand.  I always though this was properly balanced.  The exception to this would be flipping stick, as its closer to the reel center line.

it depends on how you hold your rod.a guy who holds behind the reel would have a balance point even furthur back than the reel center.some guys palm at the front of the reel and put the line between their fongers.some guys hold the foregrip.both of these would move the balance point foward. i have a bad elbow so i want the rod tip to be weightless.this prevents it from straining my elbow at the end of a cast because the weight doesn't keep it going.i also find my cassts are far more accurate.

I definitely do not prefer a weightless tip.

I have a couple of anglers from this forum that I build as close to a neutral balance as possible, due to arthritis in the hands or the arms/shoulders....

So like stated before it is a lot of personal preference.....

The one thing I have found is that most all of the manufacturers of rack rods, still used their standardized spacing charts for all of the components on all of their rod lines.

IE: G-Loomis® has been using the same spacing charts since the old 96% graphite days...

So what I have found (carrying around my small tape measure to different shops) is a rod with a 10" grip has the reel seat at a certain spot, and a rod with a split grip (with the spacing of a 10" grip, sits in the exact same position. So actually the manufacturer isn't really trying to balance anything (they don't have the time to do so), just trying to reduce the overall weight feel and looks of the rod/s.

In my personal opinion they are just trying to steal the thunder from all custom builders, I have been building split grips for years and the mfg's are just catching on....

Tight Lines!!!  

"So what I have found (carrying around my small tape measure to different shops) is a rod with a 10" grip has the reel seat at a certain spot, and a rod with a split grip (with the spacing of a 10" grip, sits in the exact same position. So actually the manufacturer isn't really trying to balance anything (they don't have the time to do so), just trying to reduce the overall weight feel and looks of the rod/s."

exactly the point i was trying to make!!!

"I have a couple of anglers from this forum that I build as close to a neutral balance as possible, due to arthritis in the hands or the arms/shoulders...."

as i have found with my elbow it makes the difference between fishing and not fishing.

dodgeguy,

We understood, but many won't..

Tight Lines!!!