does balancing a rod have and effect on casting?

[Vicente G]

basically that, does having a balanced rod have any effect on casting? if it does, where should it balance? I know its almost impossible to balance a rod since you are constantly changing weights be it the line or the reel ( thinking about it I pretty much answered myself that its impossible to do ), but have you found that a heavier reel or a lighter one have an effect on casting?

what are your thoughts on this subject?

[Paul Arden]

Hi Vincente,

I think that reels can be too light. But not everyone agrees. This guy doesn’t
https://rexfly.com/products/ground-espresso-decaf
(Strange URL)

IMG_6484.jpeg (56.17 KiB) Viewed 518 times

The only time I’ve notice problems is when the reel is particularly heavy. There was a trend to put very light plastic reels on competition casting outfits.

Cheers, Paul

[Bendix]

Hi Vincente

I generally don’t think too much about balancing my outfits… I just put on a reel that suits the fishing I’m going to do, and go fishing with it.

But it just so happens, that the reels I like the most for Trout fishing are usually really light, whereas the reels I like for Salmon fishing (on both SH and DH rods), are generally on the heavy side… But they all get the job done! I don’t think you should overthink what weight the reel you use has.

Cheers
Bendix

[George C]

It has been discussed before here https://www.sexyloops.co.uk/theboard/vi ... =11&t=2162
There are fairly complex issues involving butt nodes and self deceleration principles that likely explain some of the why.

I'm in the bottom 5% of casters posting here so take my input accordingly, but I find the heavier the reel the less feedback I sense from the rod while casting.
If the rod 'balances' in my hand at rest it is likely I'll prefer the rod more with a lighter reel when casting.......particularly if I'm using a light grip.

George

[Viking Lars]

I try to use as light reels as possible, within a frame of price, intended use and reason.
Rod, reel, line, leader and fly all move together. Line, leader and fly are what they are and as far as weight goes, reel weight is the parameter we can change. From a simple standpoint, I prefer lighter reels to move less weight.
I’ve always argued, that was soon as you have 25ft of line out the rod tilp. any outfit is “tip heavy” anyway.
I’ve always found that especially on lighter gear that I can lose all feeling with the tip if the reel is too heavy. Which is why I wonder why some brands put really heavy reel seats on light rods. And when they do, a light reel becomes even more important for me. I have in the past boiled reel seats off rods to put a lighter one on.
Even in two handsets, I don’t worry about balancing the outfit. For a big rod, I find any reel is heavy enough. I’ve heard stories claiming that you can get back peaches fishing a 15’ rod if the setup isn’t “balanced”. I’ve never experienced it and I suspect that if some do, it’s because of other issues.

[Paul Arden]

I agree. I would think that the first thing to do is check to see if you’re fishing in an orchard.

[Lasse Karlsson]

Damn, autocorrect is teasing Lars

[Vicente G]

Great, I had the same thinking then, I prefer to go as light as possible just for the fact that it’s lighter, but I always had the concern that it might hinder the casting in anyway, I tried casting the same line, same length with different reels some heavier others lighter and I didn’t find much of a difference, but I know in fly casting there’s a lot of stuff that’s not so obvious so I preferred to ask,

I’ve heard stories claiming that you can get back peaches fishing a 15’ rod if the setup isn’t “balanced”. I’ve never experienced it and I suspect that if some do, it’s because of other issues.

I've heard stories like that too Lars, but I’ve been fishing sometimes for days with my 14ft rod when I go after Chinook salmon, and nothing happened to me or my back, maybe a casting lesson will improve those problems for the storytellers

[Viking Lars]

Damn, autocorrect is teasing Lars

Have you never heard of back peaches? They are the equivalent to pineapple of pizzas and the main reason people have to quit fly fishing. Sometimes even get divorced .

[Viking Lars]

Damn, autocorrect is teasing Lars

Have you never heard of back peaches? They are the equivalent to pineapple on pizzas and the main reason people have to quit fly fishing. Sometimes even get divorced .