No, this is not a joke. I realized the other day that I was gripping my spinning rod, versus lust letting dangle in my hands. The reason I do this is that the rod is trememndously tip-heavy, which until recently, I didn't know was a problem. I have to grip the rod to keep it from falling into the water. Will I detect more strikes by letting the rod rest in my hand, as opposed to gripping it?

And yes, I am going to try and balance it this weekend after a trip to the hardware store. Think they will mind me bringing a rod in the store?

Rick

I hang on to it but don't white knuckle it.  With spinning gear I have the mount of the reel (not quite sure what to call it) in between my middle and ring finger and reel with my left hand.  Baitcasters I put in the palm of my left hand and reel with my right.

same as reb but i put the spinning reel with my pinky behind the reel mount and three fingers in front of it.