Lure Weight Question

[BASS302]

I have a spinning rod that has "Lure wt: 1/16 - 1/2 oz" written on it.  Will I damage the rod if I exceed the lure weight when casting?  Can I cast a 5/8 or 3/4 oz lure with the rod without damaging it?

Obviously I can reel in fish or weeds weighing more than a pound, but that's a different sort of strain on the rod than casting.

[Bluebasser86]

The weights listed are the weights the rod will perform best with. You can go a bit above or below and be okay, just be careful while doing it. Using more of a lob cast instead of hard snap cast will be easier on your rod. 

[j bab]

28 minutes ago, BASS302 said:

but that's a different sort of strain on the rod than casting.

I was wondering about this recently... If I can boat flip a 5lb fish why would I be worried about my rod breaking on a cast?

Seems like that question has just about been answered in this thread already but since I was also wondering the same thing I wanted to mention it as well

[BradGinKC]

It's always a good idea to stay within the ratings on the rod. You would probably be ok with the 5/8oz lure. I've done that before and never had a problem. But, do so at your own risk. This topic has come up on here a few times before. Here's a link to one of the previous discussions. 

 

[BASS302]

Thanks guys.

[smalljaw67]

4 hours ago, j bab said:

I was wondering about this recently... If I can boat flip a 5lb fish why would I be worried about my rod breaking on a cast?

Seems like that question has just about been answered in this thread already but since I was also wondering the same thing I wanted to mention it as well

As everyone has said, you can do it but use caution and a lob cast. As for boat flipping a 5lb fish, well you are either grossly misjudging the size of the fish or you are taking incredible risk, especially if using high end rods.

[BrackishBassin]

8 hours ago, j bab said:

I was wondering about this recently... If I can boat flip a 5lb fish why would I be worried about my rod breaking on a cast?

Seems like that question has just about been answered in this thread already but since I was also wondering the same thing I wanted to mention it as well

Pulling a fish in and the snapping motion of a cast are two completely different types of strain, in my opinion. One is a heavier load, but it's applied over a much longer time frame. The other is a lighter load, but is applied almost instantaneously. It's not about the weight, it's about the force being applied. Force = mass times acceleration. You could easily apply much more force with a smaller mass due to the amount of acceleration involved (think bullets for an extreme example). So, to actually answer the question - yes, you can exceed the recommended lure weight, just be aware of how you're casting it. If it starts to feel mushy when you cast, you're playing with fire. 

[fishnkamp]

Another thing I will say is sometimes the rod acts very differently than a manufacturer say it will. I have one 6'6"  Quantum Escalade spinning rod that specs as a medium action fast tipped rod. It's suggested lure rating is 1/8 to 1/4, but it can easily handle a 5/8 ounce bait.  The rod has plenty of  backbone and a fast tip. Clearly the manufacturer mislabeled what the rod can do. I throw 1/2 ounce silver buddies on it a lot. It handles them perfectly. I also use it for Sencos, light texas rigs etc.

[j bab]

2 hours ago, BrackishBassin said:

You could easily apply much more force with a smaller mass due to the amount of acceleration

Great explanation, thanks

[Big Bait Fishing]

all rods are different , i have a St. Croix that has a lure rating 3 - 8 oz. , i can cast 14.5 oz. baits with it , yeah it's very underated ! other rods are the opposite like the okuma guide select swimbait sticks that are overated , try to throw a lure at it's top lure rating and the rod is very underpowered

. take caution with the rod you are wanting to use and go by feel of what it can handle ..

[soflabasser]

16 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

As everyone has said, you can do it but use caution and a lob cast. As for boat flipping a 5lb fish, well you are either grossly misjudging the size of the fish or you are taking incredible risk, especially if using high end rods.

Depends on what type of rod you use. I flip +5 pound bass and +5 pound fish of various species all the time with my fishing rods.Some of these rods are +20 years old and still function well despite decades of abuse.

21 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The weights listed are the weights the rod will perform best with. You can go a bit above or below and be okay, just be careful while doing it. Using more of a lob cast instead of hard snap cast will be easier on your rod. 

^

This is the best answer given.

[WRB]

Very few bass spinning rods have 1/16 oz to 1/2 oz lure weights, the few that do are application specific ML drop shot rods with fast tips. The rod could also be a light power general use trout rod. 

I wouldn't be casting 3/4 oz lures with a light or ML spinning rod designed for use with 4 to 8 lb line.

Tom

 

[Hulkster]

For what its worth, G. Loomis used to state in their warranty policy that using lure weights above the rated lure weight of the rod would void the warranty.

I guess it makes sense, if you take an UL spinning rod rated for 1/8oz max and try and cast a 3/4 oz lure you could definitely add stress cracks or break the rod.

[BASS302]

Thanks for your responses.

Yes, it's actually the rod I use for trout fishing (it's ML, and it's great for casting 1/4 oz kastmasters).  I fish from the bank, so only use one rod at a time.  I was hoping that I could get away with using that rod for both trout and bass, but it sounds like I should either fish for trout or bass at one time (or ensure the lures I take with me are within the rod's design weights). 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

lighter than listed baits won't hurt anything other than performance. Over loading a Rod can break the tip if you're not careful. Lobbing a bait a size or two over the listed max should be safe. 1/2 to 3/4 is a 50% jump. The Rod would feel mushy working the bait in addition 

[frogflogger]

You can use a wider variety of weights than noted on rod if you modify your casting approach. I have no problem with my okuma guide selects but I use an easy motion lob.

[soflabasser]

A member posted a video yesterday of him flipping a +10 pound bass into the boat.He used a expensive rod which shows that flipping big fish happens all the time if you are have the appropriate gear to flip fish.