How to properly balance a pole.

[Jeffish]

I'm going to be getting 2 surf poles in a week or 2, and I'd like a little insight on how to properly balance them. I'm going to be getting an 11' rod for throwing bait out, and a 10' rod for casting lures. I've heard that you'd want them a little tip heavy for casting. I'm not 100% sure about that though.

I also understand that you can install a "butt weight" to help counter balance the stick, but where would you "measure" it from?

Say this is the pole.

_______________________________________________________
        |     O       O       O       O       O       O
       |_|
        ^ Reel

Would I start to balance it from the reel seat? If so, towards the butt, or towards the tip?


       

[Pfishingruven]

Balancing a rod is a personal thing.  Some people want a perfectly or near perfectly balanced rod.  Others don't mind a tip heavy or butt heavy rod.  Either way the best way to "balance" the rod and customize it, is to make sure you try the reel on the rod or vice versa before buying them.  Try them out in the store, or bring the rod or reel to the store when purchasing the other.  If your rod is not balanced to your liking it will lead to less sensitivity and fatigue...which will lead to less hookups and less fishing time.

When you balance the rod, your balancing point is right in the middle of the reel or where you would hold the rod.  See how it balances when you hold above the reel and below the reel.  The hold both above and below the reel(as if you were fishing) and see how that feels.  When I check above and below the reel, I just use one finger and see what that does.  Then when actually holding the rod/reel, instead of my entire hand I put one finger above and one below the reel seat.  You can tell both by sight and feel if it is balanced or heavier to one end or not.  That should give you an idea of how the setup is balancing.

I, personally, like my surf rod to be as perfectly balanced as I can get it.  I don't want it tip or butt heavy because I only have one rod and mostly use it to lure fish with a variety of lures.  However, for someone with multiple or "specialized" rods(more freshwater, but could apply to saltwater), a tip heavy rod is not bad and can be beneficial when fishing spinners or crank baits where they fish tip down anyway.  The same could be ok for a butt heavy rod for worming or jigging.  As for surf fishing and throwing bait, either is not bad, however I can see a tip heavy setup being a little more beneficial on the cast.

As for counterweights, they do make weighted "butt" caps, you can have your rod customized and the weight added right into the rod and some rods have the ability to add counterweights(Shimano Tiralejo).  Beyond that, I don't have much more experience with customizations that you can do to "balance" the setup.  I am sure some of the rod builders or someone who has customized or had this problem will be able to add input about that.

I wouldn't go crazy with balancing though.  Which ever way you want the setup to go, balanced or butt or tip heavy, the best thing is to make sure it is how you want it before purchasing.  Unless you have a custom rod built for you, modifying factory made rods can be hard and can also affect how they work in the end.  With so many options in so many price ranges, you shouldn't have a terribly hard time finding the right fit.

Happy shopping!

 

[Jeffish]

I may have to look into getting a custom rod built. That sounds like it would be cool.

My original plan, was to buy the reels, and then take them to the store and put them on just to get a feel for it. I guess that's what I'll do. Thanks for the help!

[Pfishingruven]

If you pair the reels with the properly rated rod, or vice versa, it should be relatively easy to find a good fit.  I am sure the rod and reel manufacturers take this into consideration.

Custom rods are cool.  I had one as a teenager that I was given by my uncle.  His father used to own a B&T store and made them back then.  It was really nice, with really cool custom colors and patterns.  Too bad it is in Davey Jones' Locker somewhere .  I guess that is what I get for lending my nice rod to my sister... _:"

 

[ped579]

Jeff if you want a custom fit or at least close to a custom fit as possible my best suggestion would be to go to a B&T and try all the outfits in your price range.  I would rather see you find a really good combo than go for 2 rigs for now.  It is easier to get a better setup when you focus on one at a time.

You will be getting a better setup and the difference between a 10' and 11' is not that much.  I throw plugs with my 8' Tica and have had no problem.  My bait rigs are either 10' for spinning and 11' for conventional.

Take your time and you will be able to get the best rig for the money you want to spend.

Happy Catching

Paul

[ChrisL]

I've often wondered if it makes sense to go with a custom built rod until you have a few years of experience. 
Is it worth it for someone like Jeff or myself with 1-2 years of fishing to have a rod made?
Until you've fished different rods with different characteristics, how do you know what you like?
I just picture me walking into the rod builder's shop and they ask...So what kinda action, feel, balance do you prefer?    Uhhh Idunno 

[Jeffish]

I've often wondered if it makes sense to go with a custom built rod until you have a few years of experience. 
Is it worth it for someone like Jeff or myself with 1-2 years of fishing to have a rod made?
Until you've fished different rods with different characteristics, how do you know what you like?
I just picture me walking into the rod builder's shop and they ask...So what kinda action, feel, balance do you prefer?    Uhhh Idunno 

Now that I look into it more, I'm not going to get a custom rod built. I'd probably want one more for cosmetics then specifics.

[Pfishingruven]

That is good advice about only doing 1 at a time.  If you do your homework first online and then go and look at them hands on and stay within your budget or budgets, you should be fine .

As for custom, I think they are nice...but not necessary.  Especially for the 2-4 times a week(wishful thinking) that most people fish.  If you were going out all day, everyday, then yeah, you might want something specifically built for your needs and comfort.  And, I agree, without experience or a great opinion on what you want, what do you tell them to build you.  Custom rods get very specific about what they throw and are used for.  Without specifics, I think a custom rod would kind of be a waste.

 
 

[ped579]

Jeff just do yourself a favor and seek out a B&T that has been in business for a while and is thriving at the moment. It will tell you that they are reliable, knowledgeable and above all that people respect their information.

When you start off just tell them that you are seriously looking but not necessarily going to buy today.  If they balk at giving out information walk away and go to another shop.  If you want I can go over to Grumpys one day with you and have one of those guys give you a lesson in what is good for you right now in your price range.  I have not gone wrong by them, especially as they are on your way to the park and are good for pretty good prices once you become a frequent flier...

Let me know.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Jeffish]

After doing some extensive research, asking countless amounts of people, with countless amounts of emails/pm's, I've come to the decison that I'll be getting..

Diawa Emcast Plus on an 11'Ugly Stick for my bait setup.

Shimano Stradic on a 10' Tica Dolphin for my plugging rod.

I just want to be 100% ready, or as close to 100% ready for when the time comes. That, and I won't know when I'll have the money to spend on another setup. 

[Bucktail]

Good luck with them!  Enjoy!

[ped579]

Good Luck Jeff...I know you will love the Tica.

[ChrisL]

All this talk makes want to buy stuff

[NJ Guy]

After doing some extensive research, asking countless amounts of people, with countless amounts of emails/pm's, I've come to the decison that I'll be getting..

Diawa Emcast Plus on an 11'Ugly Stick for my bait setup.

Shimano Stradic on a 10' Tica Dolphin for my plugging rod.

I just want to be 100% ready, or as close to 100% ready for when the time comes. That, and I won't know when I'll have the money to spend on another setup. 

i own a daiwa emcast and i swear by them really love it very reliable...

im waiting for my new daiwa black and gold tournament reel to show up via ups