I've found at least for me that the balance between the weight of the reel on the rod does make a difference to me. I like a balance point somewhere towards the front of the cork grip. To me that is just what "feels" right.

In fact as reels have gotten lighter and lighter - it's harder to find a reel to balance out the older and the less expensive rods out there. I'm convinced that is at least part of the reason that the high end rods feel better to some. When you put a high end reel on it (a $600 rod) - it balances out. But anput a high end light reel on a lower end but quality rod -d the balance is off and it feels tip heavy. But put a heavier reel on the rod and it balances out and just feels right.

Nothing scientific here. Just my observations and opinions.

Greg