M Rods, Different Lure Ratings. Why?

[BostonMahhk]

Maybe someone can answer this for me. I have a 6'6" veritas mh. Like I said, I wanna replace that with the dobyns and change the veritas for somethin with more flex. The only one they got with the flex I want is the winch series and it's a M mod. Now all that's perfect for me except the lure rating on it starts at 3/8. If I'm buying a M rod I want it to handle throwing 1/4oz. How come the reg veritas M is 1/4-1 and the winch series veritas M is 3/8-3/4? Does the moderate tip on the winch affect it that much or can I get away with throwing 1/4 oz with it?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Rod ratings are all subjective as there are no industry standards. Rod blank materials, wall thickness, taper etc all affect the end product. As a general rule the sweet spot for casting weight in somewhere near the middle of the manufactures suggested rating. If you're set on a particular brand and bait weight, look for the model that best fits regardless of whether they call it Med, Med Lite, or mystery weight.

[BostonMahhk]

But why does the same company have two rods rated M but one isn't rated for throwing 1/4oz lures? Is it because the winch series is a crankbait rod? Can I still use it for 1/4oz lures? I need a more flexible rod and that's the only one that they make that is that flexible

[BostonMahhk]

They are both veritas rods.

[BostonMahhk]

The winch series best fits cause I'm looking for a rod to throw cranks or topwater. Basically a rod to set treble hooks in general I guess but like I said, it's not rated to throw 1/4oz lures. Can I get away with throwing them still?

[VolFan]

It's certainly not going to explode in your hands if you throw 1/4 oz lures on it; it just might not be the perfect tool for the job. Abu's weight rating would suggest it's not, but I find moderate actions to be much more forgiving with regards to weight.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Only the makers know why they choose to label their rods the way they do. My guess would be that the weights are "med" in comparison to other rods in that line (crankbait vs jig rods). I doubt that a rod rated for 3/8 min will load and cast well with 1/4oz . Drop down one weight if they offer one.

[BostonMahhk]

They don't. That's the most flexible rod they sell in the veritas, the winch series. Now the reg series veritas M rod is rated for 1/4 oz lures but the rod is extremely stiff. That was my initial question.

[Jrob78]

A cranking stick is completely different than a mag bass casting rod.  The weight ranges change from rod to rod.  It really is a non-issue.  The only thing you can really judge by the power rating is the M is going to be lighter than the MH and the MH is going to be lighter than the H.  Don't get too caught up in what the numbers say, they're just estimates given by the manufacturer.

[SirSnookalot]

 

 

Don't get too caught up in what the numbers say, they're just estimates given by the manufacturer.

I'm not going to be real tactful. You can do pretty much whatever you want to, as stated numbers are only guidelines.  IMO reading too much info has more of a negative effect than a positive one, just too much to digest and opinions flying in from all sides.  Nothing wrong with making a mistake on a rod purchase, now you know what you don't want, no better teacher than personal experience.  I consistently overload and underload every single rod I own. 

One major difference in bass fishing is knowing how to set the hook as bass don't slam overly hard and set the hook themselves.  Setting the hook has more to do with natural reflex and reaction than anything else, this can be done with any rod using any kind of lure.  Once setting the hook is mastered, a more technique specific rod is a benefit.

[BostonMahhk]

Thanks buddy but I'm not talkin about the differences between a mag bass casting rod and a M casting rod. I'm saying that Abu Garcia makes a reg M veritas and a winch series M veritas they're both M in the same veritas line by the same manufacturer and the tge veritas handles a 1/4oz and the winch veritas doesn't go that low, it only goes to 3/8.

I want the winch series because it comes in a mod tip and I want the flex in the rod but I want a rod with that flex that can handle throwing 1/4oz lures. If you say that they're just estimates, can I get away with throwing 1/4 oz lures with a rod that's rated for 3/8-3/4 oz lures.

I understand the rods not gonna blow up in my hand or break or anything drastic. I like the veritas despite how some people feel about them. They feel perfect I'm my hand, they're extremely light, and sensitive. So I'd like to stay with one but if I'm better off going to something else that's the same flex but can handle 1/4oz lures then ill do that. After my initial question about same rods, different ratings, my next question is what am I better off going with. Sorry if there was any confusion

[BostonMahhk]

Thank you sir snookalot. That's exactly what I needed to hear and all I needed to hear. I know exactly what I'm going to do now.

[ww2farmer]

I have the 7' M Veritas winch rod your asking about, it WILL load and cast 1/4 oz. baits just fine.

[BostonMahhk]

Thank you ww2farmer!!

[smalljaw67]

The reason why the regular Veritas in a medium has different ratings than the winch series in a medium is because the design of the rods are intended for different purpose. The winch series is meant for cranking, someone using that rod is more than likely going to use a 3/8oz lure but you can throw a 1/4oz with little problem. I have a Fenwick Elite tech smallmouth, 6'10" MH-with a moderate fast action, it is rated for 3/8oz to 1oz, but I can throw and do throw, 1/4oz Rapala flat raps as well as 1/4oz cotton cordell super spots with it, no problem the only thing is my distance isn't as great but the rod doesn't feel like it over powers the lure at all and the Veritas will be the same. The regular medium veritas  is going to be used for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, texas rigs and things like that so the manufacturer puts down the weights most likely to be used with the rod, they base it off the max weight they believe will work and the lowest weight they feel you can throw comfortably, that is it, no big secret, just a reference and to keep an inexperienced angler from throwing an umbrella rig. don't laugh, I saw a guy with a 2000 size spinning reel and what looked like a 6'6" medium spinning rod throwing an umbrella rig, he was lob casting it and I was waiting for the rod to just explode as it was bent really far but that is what the ratings are for. As a general rule you can look at the rod ratings on most rods and throw a bait that weighs a little less than the lightest weight listed on the rod and a little heavier than the upper limit but not much, maybe 1/16 to 1/8oz, not much more, the only exceptions to this that I've come across is the Falcon rods, the actions and weight ratings on those rods are spot on but don't worry about the winch and regular series, they are different as they are meant for different purposes, that is all.

[BostonMahhk]

Thank you buddy. Very hekpful