I love my abu 5500 and am thinking about getting a new more sensitive  medium heavy rod for it and I want something thats really sensitive and most rods that I hear are sensitive are also very light weight. but my abu is really heavy. Will the weight of the reel ruin the sensitivity in the rod?

Will the weight of the reel ruin the sensitivity in the rod?

No.

No but the set-up may not be balanced.  Balance is more important than weight in my opinion.

Will the weight of the reel ruin the sensitivity in the rod?

No!

As far as the balance goes if the rod is say a 3 to 4 oz rod without the reel. The reel weighs say 11.6oz you have a total system that weighs just shy of a pound. With that large of a reel I would say the balance would be close to neutral (at the reel) with a 6'6" rod with a 7" grip to seat span, with a 7' or longer rod and a 10" grip to seat span, would go tip heavy even with that large of a reel attached.

Depending on the rod, should be a great outfit if your built to handle that all day.

Just a old builders .02¢

Tight Lines All!