I was just curious about rods and feel and action. How much do things like size of reel, weight of reel, line size, type of line (braid, flouro, mono), even different brands of baits affect how the same rod feels to different people? Case in point, I prefer small spinning reels over larger ones that accomodate larger lines and more capacity. To me more weight at the handle gives a spinning rod a different feel and I don't like it. I prefer mono line and jerkbait of choice is primarily a pointer 95.

If someone asks me about a jerkbait rod and my choice is a loomis or duckett or st. croix if the person that I recommend it to is using a big spool spinning reel with flouro or braid and a rapala jerkbait will he get the same feel of the rod as I do?

Do things like hand size, strength, height affect actions and feel of the same rod to different people?

I just used jerkbait rods as an example, this applies to all rods.

The key is balance, not absolute weight. If your reel balances the rod, the rig will

"feel" almost weightless.

Do things like hand size, strength, height affect actions and feel of the same rod to different people?

I just used jerkbait rods as an example, this applies to all rods.

Yes, very much so. The fact that you prefer a spinning rig is another aspect to consider. I use casting gear for jerkbaits.

Where is the balance point supposed to be to make it feel weightless on a spinning rod. I hold the rod so the reel seat is between my ring finger and pinky fingers. Should that be the balance point or should it be under my pointer finger where most of my rod control comes from, or even further up the rod?

I don't know where the "proper" balance point is, but I like my spinning rigs to balance at a point about 1" forward of the reel stem.

Tom

There is no "Right" or "Proper" balance point. It is a totally personal preference.

I don't know where the "proper" balance point is, but I like my spinning rigs to balance at a point about 1" forward of the reel stem.

Tom

Me, too!

What ever feels right for you that's what you should be going with. Over the years my hand has migrating in front of my spinning reels (I do know why), one of the reasons I only buy rods with a foregrip. Balance is not my critical issue as long as it's not way out of whack, I throw lures of different weights so it's never going to be perfect anyway. When using mono with spinning reels I prefer to match the line to the reel, line management is not very good using 12# on a small reel like a 1000 for example. In all honestly I only use braid.