Determining Lure Weights

[gotarheelz14]

So far, I have been using a St. Croix Avid 7', MH Fast action for all my Texas rigged baits. 98% of the time I will have a bullet weight on there.

When calculating your lure weight to try to match it to your rod rating (mine is 3/8-1oz) what do you count in total? Do you count the bullet weight only or do you account for some of the weight in the soft plastic?

I guess I want to know how much each of these soft plastics weight? I typically use about 5" worms, sweet beavers, Tubes etc.

Should I include this in the lure total or should I go more by the weight of the bullet weight?

Thanks,

Carlos

[J Francho]

If you want to know what they weigh, weigh them.  I'll throw anything from 1/4 oz. weights to 3/4 oz. weights (not including the plastic and hook) with my AVC70MHF.

[roadwarrior]

Exact weights are not important. Rod lure ranges are guidelines.

As long as your estimated weight is "close" there should be no issue

regarding the equipment.

8-)

[Senkoman12]

i go by the much the wieght weighs without the plastics and hook

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Exact weights are not important. Rod lure ranges are guidelines.

As long as your estimated weight is "close" there should be no issue

regarding the equipment.

8-)

x2

If you're really worried about weight, the total packages is what you go by.  It all adds weight.  Usually, you don't need to concern yourself with it unless you're seriously overpowering the rod or underpowering it.  In the first case, you can risk overloading the rod and breaking it.  I wouldn't put a two ounce weight on a rod rated for one ounce.  On the other end, if you go excessively light, you probably won't be able to cast very well if the rod doesn't load up enough to cast the lure.

[Hammer 4]

X 3 what RW said.

[SirSnookalot]

Your rod will tell you everything you need to know just by the way it loads up. I pay very little attention to advertised lure weight as many are inaccurate, I've weighed them. I consistently throw baits a good 1/2 oz over rod limit with no adverse affect.

Whatever is on the line counts as weight, bait, hook, bullet, it all adds.

[bigfruits]

I consistently throw baits a good 1/2 oz over rod limit with no adverse affect.

you do this on your bass rods?

[roadwarrior]

Heavier lures, exceeding a rod's rating, should be cast

by "lobbing" your rod, like a cast in slow motion. Allow

the rod to fully load on the backswing, then project the

entire blank forward. DO NOT flick the tip of the rod like

a lot of us do with spinning tackle.

8-)

[SirSnookalot]

I consistently throw baits a good 1/2 oz over rod limit with no adverse affect.

you do this on your bass rods?

Medium 7' 8/17 spinning rod rated max 3/4 oz., I don't use it for bass, but I could and have when I don't have a smaller rod with me.  The baits I use I make specifically for a certain target species, I make them in 2 weights, 1 that weighs about 11/4 for the above size rod and another that weighs about 1.5 oz for rods with a max of 1 oz...all spinning.