rod balancing

My centerpin outfit [Sheffield) is tip heavy and it would require 9 ounces of lead at the butt end to get it to balance perfectly. I have discussed with a rod builder friend cutting the cork and blank and adding some lead and perhaps extending the butt an inch or two.

He suggested perhaps removing my backing and adding lead core to take up the space. 3 years ago I had asked on another board about trying this as it was also my first thought.  The majority of replies were that this could a problem with the reel start up and free spinning.  Any thoughts on this approach before I proceed with my other idea?  The advantage doing it this way would be the change could easily be undone.

Go to a golf shop or****s and buy lead tape by Acuity. Put a little at a time on the base of the handle until you get what you want. The good thing about it is if you are not happy with it, you can take it off.

I wouldn't do it Dave. If you add a few ounces to the butt you should be OK...A total balance isn't absolutley necessary...taking some of that tip heaviness out is OK. Some reels and rods are simply not too compatable. I'd sart with the 5 oz. and go from there.

Hope all is well.

I had a custom rod made for me and went thru these issues. The heavier you make the butt or the reel, the more you're not gonna like it.

You need a long stretch of cork, 24+ inches, not the skimpy length you get from the off-the-shelf float rods currently available on the market. I'm still waiting for the mfrs to get it right, it's been a long wait. Anybody know a mfr who has figured it out yet?

My custom rod was balanced beautifully, but I made one mistake in my specifications. I asked for a reel seat, thinking I'd like it better than pac-bays. But I learned a reel seat adds weight and it's cold to touch on those winter days.

Now I know why I like Pac-Bay reel-holder rings. My next rod will have them.

The Pac-Bays don't drain heat out of your hand. They add the least weight to the outfit, and you can find you own position along the cork-grip part of the rodbutt to balance the system.