Rod Pound Test Ratings

[loudcherokee]

Can't figure this out - what are a rods pound test ratings based on? Is it the strength of the rod or the line diameter?

If I have a rod rated for 8 pound test, since powerpro 30# braid is the same diameter as 8# test, will this be OK for the rod? I know that's how it works for the reels, but not sure about the rods.

I'm thinking of putting braid on one of my spinning reels, but wanted to make sure the rod is OK for it.

LC

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On fresh water rods the line class rating is irrelevant for the most part. On salt water rods it is related to the power of the rod. Use whatever line gives you the presentation you want and set the drag accordingly (light enough to protect the setup).

[SirSnookalot]

One saltwater inshore example for me is a mh 10/25 rod and heavy 12/25 without any doubt the heavy rod is beefier even though the max line rating is the same.  Inshore rods are similar if not identical in the way they are rated, a med 8/17 saltwater is no different than the freshwater counterpart in terms of power, lure and line ratings.  Not all manufactures list lure or power ratings on their boat rods, but will label them 30# or 40#, other powers as well.  Some manufactures list all the information on their boat rods.  Yeah, it can be confusing, I really only pay attention to the power rating.  I've yet to see anyone encounter problems using a heavy braid like 30# on a 8# rated rod which sounds like a ml or light.  Personally I wouldn't use line that heavy on a light outfit, if the reason is to pull fish out of cover I'd be using a rod with more backbone too.

[ClackerBuzz]

be careful b/c 30lb braid will EASILY snap the tip of an 8lb rated rod if you are trying to 'un-snag' a lure using the rod (and snags are twice as common if ur bank fishing).  

wrap the braid around a stick (not ur hand b/c it will cut u) and pull directly back.

most time the braid has the power to bend the hooks out and u can get ur lure back

[SirSnookalot]

If your going to use a stick, I wrap it around my shoulder and walk backwards, best to open the bail or put the reel in free spool, there will be no tension on the tip then.

[ClackerBuzz]

If your going to use a stick, I wrap it around my shoulder and walk backwards, best to open the bail or put the reel in free spool, there will be no tension on the tip then.

x2. i wrap it around a stick free/clear of my rod/reel like i'm water skiing

[loudcherokee]

i need to start doing this stick trick. Usually on my baitcaster i will lock the drag down, thumb the spool, and pull straight back with 30# braid snagged. Ive only straightened one hook. Usually the snag releases or in a couple cases, the line snaps. Ive read on here recently that doing this can warp my spool on my BC.I really dont want that.

LC

[SirSnookalot]

Depending on the situation there are always a number of ways to skin a cat.  One thing I've learned is that my legs and back are much stronger than my rod and arms.  Walking backwards with rod perfectly straight will not break a tip, either get broke off or unsnagged, I do this myself and see others doing many times a day.  When I'm off shore getting caught on a reef is pretty common, if manual efforts fail we wrap the line around the reel and lock down the drag, then just pull it out using the engine at just a couple of knots, a beak off or unsnagging will occur.

[Brian Needham]

Can't figure this out - what are a rods pound test ratings based on? Is it the strength of the rod or the line diameter?

If I have a rod rated for 8 pound test, since powerpro 30# braid is the same diameter as 8# test, will this be OK for the rod? I know that's how it works for the reels, but not sure about the rods.

I'm thinking of putting braid on one of my spinning reels, but wanted to make sure the rod is OK for it.

LC

 

its good to go.

I try to stay in the middle of the "line rating"............basically I see it as this, you don't want to run 25# on a drop shot rig , nor do you want to run 6# on a flipping stick