11 replies to this topic

[Giant Hippo]

I have a 7ft fiberglass rod and on the label it says that this rod supports 6-14lb line.

Im thinking of loading it with 20lb mono for bottom fishing and pike.

The terminal end will be either a crankbait/spoon or a small sinker with a circle hook.

 

What are the consequences of loading heavier line than whats indicated? I know you can't overload the lure/terminal end stuff, but whats wrong with heavier line?

[Clab]

I'm also curious about lure weights how much can these be exceeded by and what are the risks?

MH 6,6 one piece baitcaster rated upto 1 ounce. I'm going to be throwing 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 swim baits for pike on 30 pound super slick. Should I just be a little more gentle due to added weight?

In regards to your post, I've exceeded "line weights" on most of my setups and never had an issue. I have a light action rod that I use 10 pound nanofil on, it's rated for 8. My medium heavy baitcaster is rated for 20 and I use 30. And my spinning setup is rated for 14 and I've had thirty pound braid on it as well

[usernamehere]

I doubt the line weight even does anything as long as you set the drag correctly.

 

lure weights should be considered a bit more carefully.

 

With fiberglass rods, it doesnt matter as much, but with graphite rods, overloading the lure/terminal end weight can cause rod tip to snap during cast. Sometimes overloading the lure weight can cause the rod to response a bit differently, but it depends on the rod.

 

I dont know how much you can exceed the lure weight, but probably not a good idea to go over 150% of whats indicated (if it says max is 1/2 oz, dont go over 3/4 oz.). Thats what iv been following. Iv overloaded lures slightly before but havnt noticed any difference. Again, depends on the rod. Fiberglass are a lot more forgiving than graphite.

[hamiltonangler94]

Ya I agree with usernamehere, as long as you set your drag properly you shouldn't have a problem. As for the lure weight, I personally wouldn't go any higher than the suggested lure weight on the rod. Even with me if my rod is rated to go as high as 5/8 oz I probably wouldn't go higher than 1/2 oz. Better be safe than sorry.

[buck]

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[apz245]

another thing to watch out for is snags, if you have heavier line on than your rod is rated for it can mess up the guides or even snap the rod by pulling on the snag the wrong way, always lift high rather than pulling sharply to the side, front or back, this keeps the rod is working as it was designed to.

[hamiltonangler94]

I use 20 or 30 pound braid on my M and MH rods and I find that it's fine. When I get a snag I don't pull with the rod I pull with the line itself to prevent what you are talking bout apz245

[riverhugger]

If snagged point the rod tip directly at the snag and pull straight back, no stress on rod it pops out 95% of the time.

 

I have to ask though is 20lb mono really necessary for this type of fishing? At that range mono starts to get fairly thick in diameter which has to effect the action of your offering.

 

I have yet to fish anything above 8lb mono (mainly 6lb) and have never had any problems with breaking off. Just curious if you fear breaking off or if there is another reason behind using such strong line.

[Clab]

I believe I read in one of fishing noobs posts that you should wrap your line around something pliers or cigarette lighter and use that to pull your line if its to hard to free. This either straightens the hook out, it pulls free or snaps. I've dragged in large clumps of grass, branches and even logs in pulling my line.

[staffman]

Have to agree with the idea of wrapping the line around something if the first couple of light pulls doesn't work. Twenty pound test is strong and can cut your hand if you try to break it by pulling on it.

[usernamehere]

the way I see it is if a rod is made for a maximum of 14lbs it's not going to be able to lift 30lbs so why put 30lbs line on it? just use a heavier rod

 

Because using heavier line significantly reduce your chance of a line break. This helps a lot especially with snags (as long as you pull it the right way, either with your hands or something other than the rod).

 

Also, just because your are putting on 30lb line doesnt mean you have to lift 30lb.

People land 20lb fish on 8lb line.

 

Again, just set the drag right. If Im using a 50 lb line on a rod thats rated 2-8 lb, and I set my drag to 5 lb, I can only put 5 lb of lifting force on the rod before the drag gives in. No chance of rod breaking. Of course im not telling anyone to do this, but just as an example.

 

Going over the line weight limit wont change anything imo, as long as you dont mind the less sensitivity/line capacity from the line. 

 

My pike rod is rated at max 17 lb, and I use 25 lb line on it no problem.

[NADO]

no problem going over line rating as long as the drag is set right as others mentioned. If im using braid I always use 20lb and none of my rods are rated for it. Using heavier mono helps with toothy critters or dealing with rocks. In the case of my braid its great for pulling fish out of thick cover and 20lb braid is the same diameter as 4 or 6lb mono.