7’2” MH Tournament ZX throw 1oz?

[KayakFish107]

I ended up with a great deal on a Tournament ZX as my first baitcast rod. I ended up choosing the 7’2” Jig and Worm rod. However, the weight range for it is 3/16-5/8oz, 12-17lb line. I’m curious if it’ll be able to throw a 1oz bait effectively? A 5/8oz on the top end seems pretty low as a lot of 1/2oz jigs I assume are well over 5/8oz when you’ve got a decent trailer on it. It is also rated as Extra Fast action. What do you all think? Does anyone have one and throw a 1oz bait, say a WP110 or bigger jigs on one? I just don’t want to use something that I might end up snapping the tip or it giving me difficulties as it’s my first setup!

[LionHeart]

IMO, lure rating is just that.  If you add a 1/4 oz trailer to a 1/2 oz jig, your lure is now 3/4 oz.  Having said that, I doubt you'll get many nods on exceeding a lure rating on a regular basis, especially by nearly 100% of the max rated weight.

 

Not trying to burst your bubble, but I wouldn't do it regularly.  Many rods are under rated with respect to weight.  Is yours? Who knows? I've thrown a 10XD on a Tournament Zx Crankshaft which maxes out at 1.5 oz.  Handled it just fine.

 

Would I recommend doing that? Nope.  Best to get the right tool for the job. This is one of the reasons my wife often asks me how many fishing rods do I really need.

[long island basser]

15 hours ago, KayakFish107 said:

I ended up with a great deal on a Tournament ZX as my first baitcast rod. I ended up choosing the 7’2” Jig and Worm rod. However, the weight range for it is 3/16-5/8oz, 12-17lb line. I’m curious if it’ll be able to throw a 1oz bait effectively? A 5/8oz on the top end seems pretty low as a lot of 1/2oz jigs I assume are well over 5/8oz when you’ve got a decent trailer on it. It is also rated as Extra Fast action. What do you all think? Does anyone have one and throw a 1oz bait, say a WP110 or bigger jigs on one? I just don’t want to use something that I might end up snapping the tip or it giving me difficulties as it’s my first setup!

I have the jig and worm ZX and don’t recommend pushing the rated weights for this rod.

1 oz is to much imo. You’ll snap it unless totally babying the cast.

This rod works well for what it’s built for, in its ratings and is pretty sensitive.

I like a nice balanced rod in hand and I found this rod to be a bit tip heavy. I did add weight to the butt section and enjoy using it more now.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

I have read quite a few rod reviews on TackleTour.  Occasionally they test a rod able to handle a fair amount over its listing.  Obviously the only way to know for sure is to try it.  Personally I like to stay within a rod's limits.  I have a 7'6" MHF rated 3/8 to 1-1/4 oz.  Since it will barely cast a 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance I decided to try heavier.  I could only lob a 1-1/2 oz. bucktail jig.  I was afraid a normal cast would break the tip.  This is a rod from a brand noted for fishing heavier than normal for its rating (MH, M, etc.).

[KayakFish107]

Alrighty! Do you guys recommend maybe one of the other rods to switch it out with? Maybe the topwater frog? 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I just love jumping in when I am totally clueless about a subject! So ... in general, I believe it’s risky to throw lures with weights exceeding those rated for the rod.  I’ve tried it and while I’ve never broken a rod tip, I have found it exceedingly difficult to control my casts because the tip behaves in strange ways when it loads up on the cast. For me, it was an effort to get my heavy lures in the same zip code as my target. I found it an effort to lob cast the lure accurately, and, when combining that with the constant concern about rod damage, completely ruined the fun of fishing.  The sport is supposed to be fun and the distractions of using the wrong rod really spoil the fun and relaxation of fishing.  Just not worth it in my opinion.

 

And a plug for one of my favorite rods here. I got an Okuma TCS Frog/Swimbait rod (7’3” rated for 1/4- to 2-oz) for around $110.00 on Amazon and it flings 130 and 190 Whopper Ploppers well, not to mention jigs, frogs, and T-rigged worms and critter baits. Heck, for me, it even works with 3/8- and 1/2-oz spinner baits and bladed jigs. to top it off, I just got an S-Waver 168 and a Shine Glide for my first foray into small swimbaits. I’m sure the purists will shudder at this, but for a hack like me, it works fine. I tried it after seeing a review by Glen on YouTube.  Just a thought.

[LionHeart]

11 hours ago, KayakFish107 said:

Alrighty! Do you guys recommend maybe one of the other rods to switch it out with? Maybe the topwater frog? 

Depends.  The frog rod may not handle lighter lures well, and you'll be right back where you started.  If it were me, I'd stick with the rod you have and just keep the lures to 5/8 or slightly, slightly above.  That still gives you a wide selection of lures to throw.  When the time comes, buy another rod for the heavier stuff.

 

Do you live near a Cabelas? Go handle the frog rod and see how the tip feels.  

[KayakFish107]

I do live somewhat near to a Cabelas, so that’s definitely a good idea. I just had received a whopper plopper 110 as a gift, and am not sure if I’ll even be able to throw it. I had thought about switching it out for a 90, but I hear the 110 runs much better, so I’d prefer to just keep it!

[LionHeart]

I work one exit from a Cabelas.  Just got back from there on my lunch break.  Handled all the ZX rods and in my opinion, the frog rod would be great for frogs and even jigs and a few other single hook lures but may be a little stout for lighter stuff, and I wouldn't want to use it for treble hook lures.

 

I also handled the Jig and Worm along with the Spinner Bait and Swim Jig rod.  I the the Jig and Worm would do quite a lot well, within it's weight range.  I'd keep it.  Definitely wouldn't throw a 110 on it though.

 

On a side note, I was able to get a sweet deal on the Spinner Bait/Swim Jig rod.  Did you guys know the Bargain Cave will negotiate? I had to try, and they came down an extra 30%.

[new2BC4bass]

33 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I work one exit from a Cabelas.  Just got back from there on my lunch break.  Handled all the ZX rods and in my opinion, the frog rod would be great for frogs and even jigs and a few other single hook lures but may be a little stout for lighter stuff, and I wouldn't want to use it for treble hook lures.

 

I also handled the Jig and Worm along with the Spinner Bait and Swim Jig rod.  I the the Jig and Worm would do quite a lot well, within it's weight range.  I'd keep it.  Definitely wouldn't throw a 110 on it though.

 

On a side note, I was able to get a sweet deal on the Spinner Bait/Swim Jig rod.  Did you guys know the Bargain Cave will negotiate? I had to try, and they came down an extra 30%.

Not sure about you.  You seem like the kind of guy that would complain about being hung by a new rope. 

 

No I didn't know that, but am not the type to haggle.  A fault of mine.  Good going. 

[LionHeart]

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Not sure about you.  You seem like the kind of guy that would complain about being hung by a new rope. 

 

 

Not sure what you mean by that exactly. 

 

I almost always haggle, not lowball (well sometimes), but when all it took to save $25 was to ask..... well.

[new2BC4bass]

That is an old saying from the area where I grew up.  Just means you are never satisfied.

[sully420]

If the rod dosent feel ideal for you its not. You can throw 1oz on it but it will feel funny and you can get at heavy rod when it suits you.

[LionHeart]

18 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

That is an old saying from the area where I grew up.  Just means you are never satisfied.

Not saying you aren't correct.  But still, if I'm buying a rod or reel that has been used (and this rod clearly had), I aim to pay roughly 60% of the new cost.  When I sell fishing gear, I price it the same.  On a $100 dollar rod I'm shooting for 60 bucks.  In the bargain cave this rod was tagged at $80 which is what they go for new on sale from time to time. 

 

My frugality is matched by my impatience (bad combination).  I could wait a month or so for the rod to go on sale and get it for $80 new, but told myself "If I can get it for $60, I'll jump on it now."  As luck would have it, all it took was to ask. 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

LionHeart, I was just having a little fun with you.  I am sorry if it came across as something else.  I am a bit frugal myself, but don't have the kind of personality that lets me haggle.  Wish I did.  Instead I walk away if something is more than I want to pay.  Same for items in the Flea Market.

[LionHeart]

No offense taken at all man. I knew it was in good fun. I grew up going to flea markets and yard sales.  I learned to haggle by watching my dad.  It's in my blood now.  Still haven't learned his patience.  

[Andy007]

I would put an lure on and try casting. I've used a rod rated 1/4-3/4 for 2oz baits, worked ok just had to slow down and change casting style a bit. not ideal but still catches fish!

Good Luck!

[KayakFish107]

I Think what I’ll do is see how it goes and go from there. Thanks for all the input, and maybe I will end up switching to a different rod in the end!

[KayakFish107]

Thought I could give a little update. Tried throwing the 110 on the rod this last weekend, and it seemed to do okay. I didn’t have to “lob” it, but at the same time, I wasn’t entirely comfortable doing any quick “whip” type casts. It seems as though it’ll do the job for the time being. Eventually I’ll probably have to get something else, but I won’t have any money for that this year!