Thread: Rod lure weight rating ?

Some companies are super technical with their lure ratings and do real world tests. Others just eyeball it and slap on a lure rating of what they think would feel good. It's typically gonna be the latter. My experience is that companies hit the mark much closer with spinning rods than with casting rods. Regardless of what the rod rating tells you, a moderate rod will give you better casting distance with the lightest lures it can handle than a very similar looking rod with a faster action.

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Anyone know what goes into rating a rod for lure weight .
I can understand the upper end of the spectrum of lure weight , but how do rod manufacturers determine the lower lure rating .

I noticed on a moderate action rated ultralight powered rod , the minimum lure weight is usually higher than a similar rod that’s rated as a fast action rod .
You would think it’d be the other way around.

This is a tough one. US rod UL rod makers in my opinion just stick on the low end what they want to. I used to think the low rating meant that is the size lure, jig that a rod could cast, and work effectively. On JDM light game rods the low rating is basically telling you how sensitive the rod is. Meaning whatever the low rating is you can feel the resistance of that size jig, lure while using the rod. Most folks will tell you that the low end rating of a rod means how small a lure you can cast. But I have to tell you I have not found that to be the case. An example of this was a Shimano Compre UL I owned years back. Rated on low end at 1/64......not only could it not cast a 1/64 I could also not feel that small of a jig head when using the rod.


Regards

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

This is a tough one. US rod UL rod makers in my opinion just stick on the low end what they want to. I used to think the low rating meant that is the size lure, jig that a rod could cast, and work effectively. On JDM light game rods the low rating is basically telling you how sensitive the rod is. Meaning whatever the low rating is you can feel the resistance of that size jig, lure while using the rod. Most folks will tell you that the low end rating of a rod means how small a lure you can cast. But I have to tell you I have not found that to be the case. An example of this was a Shimano Compre UL I owned years back. Rated on low end at 1/64......not only could it not cast a 1/64 I could also not feel that small of a jig head when using the rod.


Regards

Thanks for the reply’s , guys .
I can accept the low rating representing sensitivity of lightest lure , because a moderate rod would normally not be as sensitive as a fast action rod . But then there’s the high lure rating .
So I’m guessing lure rating represents two different ratings ?

Also I have found some moderate action rods will load and cast lighter lures than what the rod is rated for better than a similar fast action rod .

I can see where a moderate action rod should be better at protecting light lines also .
Interesting discussion.

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

This is a tough one. US rod UL rod makers in my opinion just stick on the low end what they want to. I used to think the low rating meant that is the size lure, jig that a rod could cast, and work effectively. On JDM light game rods the low rating is basically telling you how sensitive the rod is. Meaning whatever the low rating is you can feel the resistance of that size jig, lure while using the rod. Most folks will tell you that the low end rating of a rod means how small a lure you can cast. But I have to tell you I have not found that to be the case. An example of this was a Shimano Compre UL I owned years back. Rated on low end at 1/64......not only could it not cast a 1/64 I could also not feel that small of a jig head when using the rod.


Regards

Thanks for the reply’s , guys .
I can accept the low rating representing sensitivity of lightest lure , because a moderate rod would normally not be as sensitive as a fast action rod . But then there’s the high lure rating .
So I’m guessing lure rating represents two different ratings ?

Also I have found some moderate action rods will load and cast lighter lures than what the rod is rated for better than a similar fast action rod .

I can see where a moderate action rod should be better at protecting light lines also .
Interesting discussion.

Adding to this , I’ve found that shorter moderate action rods are better for casting light lures , even though they are rated for 1/16oz and up .
I’m not talking about slow action rods .
I have a xxul “ fast “ action rod that will not load and cast lighter lures .

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Adding to this , I’ve found that shorter moderate action rods are better for casting light lures , even though they are rated for 1/16oz and up .
I’m not talking about slow action rods .
I have a xxul “ fast “ action rod that will not load and cast lighter lures .

I’m with you on that.


Regards


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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Adding to this , I’ve found that shorter moderate action rods are better for casting light lures , even though they are rated for 1/16oz and up .
I’m not talking about slow action rods .
I have a xxul “ fast “ action rod that will not load and cast lighter lures .

I just picked up a TCB65 and can't believe the casting distance. I tied on a #6 jig hook and crimped the tiniest splitshot I had (got to be under 1/64) Put a little shad bait on it and 60' plus on first cast. WAY further then with that 6'3 Abu mass beat.

Originally Posted by MDCrappie

I just picked up a TCB65 and can't believe the casting distance. I tied on a #6 jig hook and crimped the tiniest splitshot I had (got to be under 1/64) Put a little shad bait on it and 60' plus on first cast. WAY further then with that 6'3 Abu mass beat.

Congrats !
I own a couple of those .
First trip out the tip snapped.
The tip was replaced with warranty and I purchased a backup tip .
I probably should fish them more , but I’m enjoying my under 6’ rods too much right now .
Actually, most of the rods I’ve been using are under 5’6” . Most are between 4’6” and 5’3” .
My AB MB3’s are just sitting in the rod rack .
So many factors involved in casting distance.