Fishing rod weight and "perceived stoutness"

[The Rooster]

I recall reading somewhere that an IM-6 graphite rod takes more material to make the same strength of blank than an IM-7 rod would due to the graphite not being as strong. Using more material basically makes the rod strength equal but it ends up heavier and maybe less sensitive as well.

I have a 6'6" spinning rod, a semi-old Quantum Dance Class (Bill Dance signature series, 10-12 years old). It's an IM-6 graphite rod and feels a little heavier in weight than another IM-7 rod I have here as well, although not uncomfortably heavy.......as a matter of fact I like it quite well. I just use it for fishing at the river for striped bass and hybrids, casting inline spinners and jigs from the bank or boat. When I hook one out in that current, to me it seems the heaviness of the rod just feels more right for what I'm doing with it than if the rod were lighter weight. I know in my head this doesn't matter, but it just feels like I have "more" rod in my hands than what it would if I were to use the IM-7 rod for the same purpose.

Even though I know that extra weight isn't really helping, I'm basically saying that it changes the experience of the fish fight by the way I perceive it and enjoy it by having it there. Anybody else ever have a similar thought or experience?? Just wondering if anyone else can relate.

[steezy]

Maybe with the less expensive rods the added weight might bring something to the experience but with the high end rods the weight of the rod is a non issue.

Pick up a shimano cumara, loomis glx or steez and hook a fish and you will see the weight of the rod (or lack of weight) doesn't lessen the experience.

This post is not knocking any rods!

[J Francho]

Weight doesn't equate to strength.  Balance is more important than weight, to me.  I don't see how you can compare a high modulus, light weight bass rod to something you'd use for stripers.  I don't think sensitivity would be an issue in the latter. 

[kikstand454]

yeah,

i think in the under $200 rod range... balance is much more important than official weight. while its a little hard to explain with an example with a baitcasting rod... you know what i mean with a spinning outfit. i have a 7' medium coastal graphite uglystick with a 40 series quantum on it and because the balance on it is perfectly at my index finger, it "feels" as light as my 7'6 crucial with no reel on it.

obviously it is NOT. hahah.

mentally, rooster, i agree with you... sometimes even though you know it shouldnt be "right"- it still just is.

i fish inshore with uglysticks religiously and in my head i know thats silly because itd be "more comfortable " and id "feel more" with a good graphite rod. but in my head i feel that im rougher on my inshore equipment, and that the fish are rougher... and theres always the chance im going to hook a 20lb redfish or a big cobia or something and i dont want my rod to break.

its all mental.

[The Rooster]

I'm glad someone knew what I was talking about. The rod I have is not that sensitive at all, and that's the reason I just use it for striped bass, but it is stout and feels ruggedly built so it fits that usage very well. It also balances wonderfully in my hand so even though it's heavier than it has to be to do the job it still feels fine and not all that heavy, and it is a load of fun to fish with.

This was just one of my "for fun" posts was all. I have no intent to replace that rod nor am I trying to figure out what would be better. I just wondered if anyone else was "weird" like me on that.

[SirSnookalot]

yeah,

i think in the under $200 rod range... balance is much more important than official weight. while its a little hard to explain with an example with a baitcasting rod... you know what i mean with a spinning outfit. i have a 7' medium coastal graphite uglystick with a 40 series quantum on it and because the balance on it is perfectly at my index finger, it "feels" as light as my 7'6 crucial with no reel on it.

obviously it is NOT. hahah.

mentally, rooster, i agree with you... sometimes even though you know it shouldnt be "right"- it still just is.

i fish inshore with uglysticks religiously and in my head i know thats silly because itd be "more comfortable " and id "feel more" with a good graphite rod. but in my head i feel that im rougher on my inshore equipment, and that the fish are rougher... and theres always the chance im going to hook a 20lb redfish or a big cobia or something and i dont want my rod to break.

its all mental.

I see more ugly sticks used for inshore than anything and yet to meet anyone that doesn't love them, but sensitivity is not issue, even a 1lb blue runner slams you.  As far as a rod breaking, if it's in good shape it should be fine, I caught 2 lemons about 150# on a penn pursuit 12/25 spinning rod, although not in the league of my tallus as far as strength goes, but rated the same.

Bass are a different ball game, they are inhalers and often the bite is delicate, I use an Im7 clarus which is sensitive enough to feel a freshwater snail crawling over the line.

[kikstand454]

yeah,

i think in the under $200 rod range... balance is much more important than official weight. while its a little hard to explain with an example with a baitcasting rod... you know what i mean with a spinning outfit. i have a 7' medium coastal graphite uglystick with a 40 series quantum on it and because the balance on it is perfectly at my index finger, it "feels" as light as my 7'6 crucial with no reel on it.

obviously it is NOT. hahah.

mentally, rooster, i agree with you... sometimes even though you know it shouldnt be "right"- it still just is.

i fish inshore with uglysticks religiously and in my head i know thats silly because itd be "more comfortable " and id "feel more" with a good graphite rod. but in my head i feel that im rougher on my inshore equipment, and that the fish are rougher... and theres always the chance im going to hook a 20lb redfish or a big cobia or something and i dont want my rod to break.

its all mental.

I see more ugly sticks used for inshore than anything and yet to meet anyone that doesn't love them, but sensitivity is not issue, even a 1lb blue runner slams you. As far as a rod breaking, if it's in good shape it should be fine, I caught 2 lemons about 150# on a penn pursuit 12/25 spinning rod, although not in the league of my tallus as far as strength goes, but rated the same.

Bass are a different ball game, they are inhalers and often the bite is delicate, I use an Im7 clarus which is sensitive enough to feel a freshwater snail crawling over the line.

totally.  rarely... and i mean super rarely... am i worried about feeling a bite fishing inshore. only time i can think of is in the winter fishing reds on the bottom and picking up sheepshead. thats it. and i do fine with the uglysticks.

i really just dont want my 150 dollar crucial out there in a boat with the waves and psycho fish!