Balancing Old Gear

[CiK]

Much has been made about purchasing a balanced system (rod + reel), but what techniques are available to you if you want to balance an old rod with a new reel? Bait Monkey said to buy new rod too, but wife said "no". :-)

Tony

[cassidyta]

Their are some kits that will allow you to add weight to the handles. They slip over them like an end cap and you add weights.

Basspro has several types, this one listed below is just an example and not meant to be say it is good or bad.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...SSSELL_PRODUCT

[Jrob78]

Their are some kits that will allow you to add weight to the handles. They slip over them like an end cap and you add weights.

Basspro has several types, this one listed below is just an example and not meant to be say it is good or bad.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...SSSELL_PRODUCT

I use this exact balancing kit on one of my tip heavy setups. I really like it. It does make the overall weight of your rod and reel heavier however you actually perceive the weight to be less. A well balanced rod is a lighter rod.

Another thing that you can do is remove the butt cap from your rod and insert a weight in the hollow end of the blank. I haven't done this yet but I think a large lead bullet weight glued inside the blank would work well.

[Bender]

Another cheaper solution is to go to the any store and get chair leg ends. I think the 1 1/8" ones fit best, but I can't remember for certain. Then you can put quarters behind them.

I balanced a couple of mine but then took the weights off. It might be O.K. for something where you don't move the rod much, but for me overall lighter weight was better.