I've been shopping ultra light general purpose 6 1/2 - 8' rods to learn to catch warm weather crappie but it seems to be recommend not lifting fish but netting anything of any size. You guys who are throwing light jigs on 2 and 4 pound line, do you really net or lip everything with the TSS or SHSS rods? Would it be a mistake to size up to stouter rod like the Buck's Ultimate?
If you are using the line weight that the rod is rated for, then anything that the line can hold, the rod should as well. So, if the line is rated for 6# test and you're using 6# test line, you should be able to dead lift 6 pounds using the rod. Note that most line is capable of more than it's "rating", so I'd use the actual weight listed, and not rely on the line breaking before the line does. I've pulled the boat with 4# Mr. Crappie line before -- when TRYING to break off.
If you pick up a 4# fish on 4# line on a rod rated for 4#, you're asking for trouble. The knot is never as strong as the line, and as soon as the fish flips at all, the weight changes... flip up, fall back down, that's more pressure than the fish weighs.
So, $500 rod rated for 4# line, use the net on anything bigger than a pound or 2. For a $50 rod, be kind to it, but don't baby it. I pulled in a 1 1/2 to 2 pound bass yesterday with my TSS rod and didn't like it because I risked losing the fish (the line was just too tight for my liking), but if the rod broke doing that, you'd be reading a very nasty review.
One other thing to consider is that the rod is rated for that weight when new and free of defects. A slight nick in the rod or a scratch and the integrity has been compromised. Also, repetitive stressing can weaken the material (think of metal fatigue). But again, it's a $50 rod, so, I don't expect miracles.
You not going to boat flip many fish with any B/m rod . The ultimate was built for feel not flipping fish .
SpeckledSlab LIKED above post
I'm going to give you some sound advice. You start boat lifting fish with UL rods you are going to regret it. The TSS and B'N"M TCB rods are of high graphite content....both of them are excellent at bite detection....but you boat lift and you are going to be on the phone asking for a new top section. I have no clue what source Schmoopie got the info about a rods line rating should lift the same amount of weight as line rating but that info is wrong. If you want to own a rod that can detect soft bites...is a true UL rod...then you need to invest in a net.
Regards
JimInAlabama thanked you for this post
I'm good at being wrong. Momma always told me to find something I can do and to be really good at it . I don't know what the TSS is rated at, as I can't find the info on the website and I'm too lazy to walk outside and look at mine. I'm trying to come to terms with a rod saying it is rated for 4# line, but that the rod would break before the line does. I hope you understand my disconnect. If a rod is rated for 4# line and I'm using legitimate 4# line my rod shouldn't break -- the line should.
To encourage excitement and an element of danger, Ray Scott of BASS outlawed net use in his tournaments. Previously, the fishing partner would net the fish.
Thus, the boat flip was begun. By the bass tournament guys.
Don't be a bass tournament guy, use a net.
Sent from my SM-T580 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
SpeckledSlab LIKED above post