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Balance the fully rigged and ready to fish rod on a finger, carefully to find the approximate location. Use solid aluminum wire near 1/8" diameter ~ it'll bend a bit for final perfect balance.
Oh, good, you have the proper wire. The rest is easy.Drill a hole right through the handle so the reel will be flat on top. Insert the wire and glue it in place.I suspect you have the plans and photos for these rigs?Edit: After thought, you do have schooly rods with flat plastic reels?
I've found that it varies from time to time on the location needed to get a proper balance. Most likely being fishing at different depths and how much line is out. As well as what bait is being used. That is why I have my tipdowns so that I can adjust the location of the balance. Easiest way is I use a #16 or #20 nail and cut off the head. I then use an o-ring to attatch the nail to the pole and then I can move the nail up or down the pole to get the proper balance.
Add weights to the butt of your rod then balance it for the pin, if it's off just add or remove some weight. Also if you change bait size you can adjust the balance.
I use castration bands. Apply as many as needed! They adjust easily up and down the handle for fine tuning are work great for hook keeps.
Ok for those of you that have commented I appreciate the insight and help! Here is where I'm at....I re-drilled for my balance bar planning on keeping the reel on top (using schooley style rod and plastic reel)...after getting everything done and back together, weighted as if I was going to use it minus the minnow..The rod will sit straight up and down...however after getting the rod to a little past parallel (to the "ice") the rod tip will stay down. If I flip the rod around so that the reel sits facing the "ice" the rod weighted to fish will sit at about a 45 degree angle. If I was to get a hit and the fish let go the rod would reset to the 45 degree angle. It seems that it's sensitive enough that I could probably see my minnow kicking underwater.....here is my question...should I be able to pull the line mimicking a hit and the rod stays in place after I let go? I know in water it will be different than messing with it in my house (water is much denser than air obviously)...I will say that my original design was for the sitting down because I didn't think it really mattered.