Gumboot Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 +1 on the Fenwick. Very serviceable at a decent price point. What reel you gonna put on it? And don't tell me a Pflueger President...
Members retired chem teacher Posted January 3, 2023 Members Posted January 3, 2023 +2 on a Fenwick -1 on a Pflueger President?? best reel for the money
MOPanfisher Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 7 hours ago, MNtransplant said: I change my mind all the time (probably too often)..i think im still leaning towards a 7'-1" or 7'-3" but the balance has to be right...i hate a tip heavy feel on any rod. I have a "thing" about rod/reel balance. I counter balance every combo I have so that they balance just in front of the reel seat. Years ago I took a piece of 1x6boak and drilled several holes of different sizes and depths in it. I melt a pot of lead and pour the holes full giving me a whole smorgasbord of sizes and weights to test. A little bit if electrical tape to attach a weight to the butt of the rod and voila'. I also have a thing for the extra long handles and have been known to hack saw off a a couple inches from a St Croix rod so that it doesn't dig into my fat belly when sitting down. Life is too short to deal with rods that aren't how I want them to be.
rps Posted January 4, 2023 Posted January 4, 2023 17 hours ago, MOPanfisher said: I have a "thing" about rod/reel balance. I counter balance every combo I have so that they balance just in front of the reel seat. Years ago I took a piece of 1x6boak and drilled several holes of different sizes and depths in it. I melt a pot of lead and pour the holes full giving me a whole smorgasbord of sizes and weights to test. A little bit if electrical tape to attach a weight to the butt of the rod and voila'. I also have a thing for the extra long handles and have been known to hack saw off a a couple inches from a St Croix rod so that it doesn't dig into my fat belly when sitting down. Life is too short to deal with rods that aren't how I want them to be. Rod companies tout the lightness of their rods. Balance is far more important. When I build a rod, I epoxy the largest bullet weight that will fit in the rod butt before I build the handle. I also use micro guides. The end result is always a balanced, light tip.
MOPanfisher Posted January 4, 2023 Posted January 4, 2023 A light weight tip heavy rod is still a tip heavy rod and feels like it. I balanced an 8' crappie maxx rod once, took a lot of lead but absolutely made the rod feel lighter. A decent rod balanced well feels like a fcompletely different rod. The first St. Croix rod I cut down the butt end of, well it took a bit of mental fortitude supplied by some pain killers after shoulder replacement surgery to achieve. I notice the difference in a balance rod even more now with my dominant shoulder made of scrap metal and recycled Walmart bags.
rps Posted January 4, 2023 Posted January 4, 2023 @MNtransplantI know you are seeking to use your BPS cards. Once you do, the next time your want a rod, let me build it for you. I have a standing offer to OA members that I will build for materials cost Huntingducks117, BilletHead, MNtransplant and 2 others 5
MNtransplant Posted January 5, 2023 Author Posted January 5, 2023 On 1/3/2023 at 9:33 AM, Seth said: I was going to recommend a few different setups, but it doesn't look like BPS carries those brands..... Curious what brands you like Seth?
MNtransplant Posted January 25, 2023 Author Posted January 25, 2023 On 1/4/2023 at 12:58 PM, MOPanfisher said: A light weight tip heavy rod is still a tip heavy rod and feels like it. I balanced an 8' crappie maxx rod once, took a lot of lead but absolutely made the rod feel lighter. A decent rod balanced well feels like a fcompletely different rod. The first St. Croix rod I cut down the butt end of, well it took a bit of mental fortitude supplied by some pain killers after shoulder replacement surgery to achieve. I notice the difference in a balance rod even more now with my dominant shoulder made of scrap metal and recycled Walmart bags. So with all the talk on balancing I thought I'd try a trick I saw on youtube...slapped a $1 rubber furniture leg cap on my new St. Croix Eyecon I found for a steal...the 1" size fits perfectly. It absolutely balances the rod now I just have to see if I like the look of a rubber knob on the butt section...if you have a really lopsided setup, you can stick quarters or washers in too. Hoping I can fish it this weekend too give it a try! rps and MOPanfisher 2
MNtransplant Posted January 25, 2023 Author Posted January 25, 2023 On 1/3/2023 at 9:33 AM, Gumboot said: +1 on the Fenwick. Very serviceable at a decent price point. What reel you gonna put on it? And don't tell me a Pflueger President... I love the Presidents and have the size 25 on my ultralight setup, however on all my other spinning reels I've gone to the shimano nasci...imo the best $100 reel you can buy. I have a 2500 size in the old "B" series with the navy and gold color scheme and a 1000 and 2500 size on my other two setups in the newer silver "C" series...love em! Highly recommend!
rps Posted January 25, 2023 Posted January 25, 2023 50 minutes ago, MNtransplant said: So with all the talk on balancing I thought I'd try a trick I saw on youtube...slapped a $1 rubber furniture leg cap on my new St. Croix Eyecon I found for a steal...the 1" size fits perfectly. It absolutely balances the rod now I just have to see if I like the look of a rubber knob on the butt section...if you have a really lopsided setup, you can stick quarters or washers in too. Hoping I can fish it this weekend too give it a try! Looks like you found the right set up for you. I have seen the chair leg cap trick before, but I had forgotten about it. Let us know how it fishes.
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