Rod lure rating and actual lure weight

[Lefty76]

If you have a swimbait rod that has a rated lure range of 1oz - 6oz, would you throw a 6 oz swimbait on that rod?

Or would you jump up to a rod that has a lure range of 3oz -10oz?

 

 

Thanks

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It depends on the rod. The sweet spot typically lies near the mid range but that's a wide range of heavy weights. Are you looking for a rod or asking if you need one?

[Lefty76]

Once I have my bait-casters back from refurbishment,  I will be purchasing some swimbait rods and they will be my first. 

 

I seriously doubt that I will fish a lure heavier than 6 oz.

 

The biggest lure I currently use is a 9-1/2" AC Plug which weighs 3-1/2 ounces.

Currently throwing it on a spinning rod rated up to 3 ounces.

 

I may purchase 12 inch AC Plug in the future.

 

 

[WRB]

The mistake nearly every angler makes selecting their 1st swimbait bait rod is to use lure weight as an absolute lure range. Swimbait rods tend to be more moderate action and swimbait near the high end range can over load the rod making longer casts difficult. A 4 to 5 oz swimbait can be used with 1-6 oz H rated rod, however 2-10 oz XH is a lot easier to cast with 4 1/2 oz 8" Huddelston for example. The general rule add the weight range and divide by 2 to equal the higher weight swimbaits you plan to use.

Tom

PS, not sure if Allen Cole is still making AC plugs? Swimbaits have evolved over the past 15 years to include wake baits, glide baits, single jointed, multiple jointed, hard and soft with more choices to confuse you.

[Lefty76]

Tom,

 

 

Thanks for the info!