balancing rod/reel

[bucketmouth64]

What are some ideas to balance a bait casting rod/reel when it is top heavy. Rod butt does not have a way to attach counter weights. Rod is a 7' skeet reese lamiglass.

[Deitz Dittrich]

not sure there is a way... not sure that is what you want to do.. adding more weight makes the rod maybe feel more sensitive, but it really is not.

The best way would be to remove the yellow coating, replace the guides. But that isnot cost effective.

[CAMAN]

adding more weight makes the rod maybe feel more sensitive, but it really is not.

I don't counterbalance my rods for increased sensitivity, but for all day fishing comfort. Some rods, no matter how high quality you get they are top heavy, and when fishing all day my wrist feels it afterward. I don't balance all my rods, just the jig and worm type rods, and leave the cast/retrieve rods alone since I hold the rod differently for them and use my forearm and armpit for support.

Bass pro sells a product called 'The Balancer' that should work for your rod, its a rubber cup that slides over the butt which you fill with the supplied lead weights and maybe a couple quarters to get it just right. A tip I have is to take a piece of plastic worm and stuff it in with the lead weights, it will prevent them from rattling around on you.

[delmuts]

A trick the guys used to use , was to buy some of those rubber cups that slide over the legs on chairs. Use quarters for weight. Many times they had to tape them so they would stay on, but it worked.

[olski]

That one might be a little tricky just because it is a glass rod and they are always going to be a touch heavier. Which reel do you have on it? I used an older Quantum energy on that rod and being a heavier reel to start with that was a pretty nice set up. Other than that the slip over rubber caps are the only thing I know of as well.

P.S. tell Darin thanks for the invite Sat. had to work late. Next time

[Larson15]

Another trick is to use lead tape on the but section of your rod and then cover up the handle with rod rap. Doing it this way you can add or take away the amount of weight you have and then you have a nice cushy grip as well.

[bucketmouth64]

That one might be a little tricky just because it is a glass rod and they are always going to be a touch heavier. Which reel do you have on it? I used an older Quantum energy on that rod and being a heavier reel to start with that was a pretty nice set up. Other than that the slip over rubber caps are the only thing I know of as well.

P.S. tell Darin thanks for the invite Sat. had to work late. Next time

Actually, the rod is Darrin's, and he got the Revo for it. I thought I would post this question because I thought the set up would feel more comfortable to use if it weren't top heavy. I guess he'll have to use it a few times and see how it feels. We had a good turn out for the smelt fry. Only a batch and a half remained. So we were surprised how much everyone ate. Sorry you couldn't make it.

[Daze Off]

I use the balancing kits from BPS - in fact I have several from rods that I no longer own. They are pretty universal and have assorted weights (washer style) that fit in the piece that slides over handle. They work great and if not snug enough a bit of athletic or electrical tape works wonders. I think they go for about $10 (let mine go for 1/2 that if interested).

[fishman6909]

A product called THE BALANCER will eliminate the tip weight/torque you feel with most fishing rods. A rubber butt cap with ajustable amounts of weight,(READ DIRECTIONS)counterbalances the lever we hold in our hand regardles of how or where we hold it. A quarter or two can be added to make a precise difference.

Let me tell you on Sunday at the Okoboji Open it was a relief to have balanced rods . It was late in the day an hour to go, no fish in the box. Some contestants were pulling out early , tired , fatigued ,fishless perhaps. We went to skinny water . The fish were spooky, so a long cast with a weightless worm was necessary. Having THE BALANCER on my rods did not make the fish bite BUT it did help me feel the light thump of fish on and at the end of the day enough weight to cash a check. THE BALANCER can be purchased Bass Pro and they do make a difference.