hello all, i'm in the process of hunting for a new rod and reel. i came across many articles about getting the correct balance, and i have used the balance principle when selecting all of my previous fly gear.

i was reading through all these articles, mainly just out of interest, and most of them say the balance point should be found with a rod, reel, backing and line all loaded. i myself have always done it this way.

i just had a thought though. we dont actually fish with the line fully loaded on the reel do we? surely then it would be better to check balance with the line off the reel. i dont know if it would make much of a difference or not, but it's just an idea.

any thoughts?

Given the ratio of the weights of most rods to most reels of a given recommended line-weight, balance becomes bit of a red herring. And as you've pointed out, at no point in the action of fishing is it constant (or rarely).

There was a long discussion on this a while ago which spawned a list of reel weights. Very few were under 100g and very few were over 200g. Most were in the middle..

As a quick precis of that discussion: get what you feel comfortable with!

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Thoughts? Yes, it's complete cobblers. The "proper" balance point of a rod and ideas that all rods should balance at a certain point is complete fly fishing urban legend for the exact reason you mention: The balance point changes depending on how much line is on/off the reel.

The balance point of a rod will vary according to the weight of the rod, the reel, the line/backing, and how the rod is currently being used. Any attempt to generalize with a one-size-fits-all rule is nothing but mental masturbation.

Grouse

When you cast a long line, and you start considering the bending moment generated by all that line on your rod tip (obviously dependant upon how much is in the air and how much on the water - oh then there's the weight of the 'wet' line). . . . . .. it's time to take up line dancing . .

Just a thought . .

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To be fair its less of a problem today than it was 50yrs ago.
If anyone cast a 10ft bamboo rod for a day with a modern lightweight reel.
I think after 30 mintues you would need to give your arm a rest.

Gary

it does seem like a pointless exersise really. as you guys said, the balance point is rarely the same at any given moment. plus, the rod tip will be where most of the weight is balanced whilst casting a fly line anyway. i think i'll just be going off which rod/reel combination feels nicest this time around.

If you walk long distances carrying a fly rod and have weak wrists then it's probably a reasonable idea to have the supposed 'balance' point in the hand.

Other than that ... Grouse is spot on!

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You should always use the lightest reel possible - or incur the wrath of God

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Nowadays the term "balanced" when used in tackle selection, refers to the line being balanced to the rod, not the pivot point on the kit!
I.E. line rating compatible to rod rating, not the effect of heavier, or lighter, reel on rod butt, thus moving point of balance!
bit obvious, but true.
regards
bert

I realise that this is an oft recurring topic and hesitate to add my thoughts ..but

Yes the balance point will move significantly as line is let off the spool, however, when fishing most of the line is on the water once cast so its only a few foot outside the tip and the length of the line in the rings that act as a lever one way. The other lever is easier which is the mass of the reel+residual line which is only ever a few inches from where you hold the rod so the lever action is small. The change in mass of line+reel is not very significant as its only acts over a short distance My conclusion is the balance point may move a bit while fishing, but its probably negligible.

When casting its a very dynamic process, with no slack in the line, so most of the forces are due to accelerating the line outside the tip acting on the long length of the rod. You want to be able to feel this as its the loading of the rod if you oppose it with your wrist/arm.
With a heavier reel the static balance is closer to your hand, lighter the balance is further up the rod. If this was just a rigid stick with a weight near the bottom you could only push it forward and back without it rotating if you held it exactly at the balance point or applied a counter action by clamping it in your hand and adjusted your wrist.
I think its these two points that compete while you cast - you need to feel the dynamics and this may be masked by the static swinging of the rod if its a long way out of balance.

Given the general light weight of modern tackle the differences probably boil down to personal preference. If it doesn't slide out of the palm of you hand when you pick it up its probably not going to be a problem
RogB