Rod Ratings Help

[wetaline2]

Ok so as an example I have a 4-8lb rod which is a very soft rod but has a lure rating of 3/8oz which seems to much. I also have a 3-5lb rod which is not as soft yet lure rating is only 3/16oz which is fine. And then I have a very stiff 4-10lb rod lure rating still only 1/4oz but should be able to handle much more than the 1st rod say 1/2oz.
So I'm confused
How do you know how much weight is safe to throw on a given rod?
Do I go off the line rating and ignore the lure rating, or ignore both, or trust both and hope I don't snap a tip on the 4-8lb rod, or is there a general rule you can add/subtract a little bit? Help Please

[Kyle101]

Mate they are only there as a guide, you dont have to follow them to the exact number, use what you feel is comfortable on the rod, obviously if the lure is to heavy then use a different rod etc.

It would be like saying that if you hook a 5kg fish on a 3kg rod you wont be able to land it.

[redfinfisho]

Originally Posted by Kyle101

Mate they are only there as a guide, you dont have to follow them to the exact number, use what you feel is comfortable on the rod, obviously if the lure is to heavy then use a different rod etc.

It would be like saying that if you hook a 5kg fish on a 3kg rod you wont be able to land it.

agreed I'ts about what feels comfortable, you can cast over the reccomended cast weight but you may need to cast gently and not just peg the lure out also another factor can be the thickness of the tip section.

[Bobby Bass]

I use what feels good. Ratings are a bit all over the place.

The guides can effect the max leader thiickness, if you want to run leader through the guides make sure they are not too small

[lukereneeseth]

they are all guides for optimum practical use. all rods are tested in different scenarios and places before they have anything written on them.

4-8lb : 4lb being the tip, 8lb being the butt. ratings for a comfortable arc angle.
1/16 - 3/8 : best guidline for casting distance. basically if your using littler than 1/16th then they will have a lighter rod in the range for better casting distance and performace for say whiting fishing. if your throwing say 1oz then they would have a more suited rod in the range for that.
yes you can throw much heavier but you will get average casting distance from the sizeable bow the weight will create in the half to top half of the rod. vice versa for lighter than rated minimums.

i couldnt see a tip being broken if you keep the weight under double the max rating. but that would be more of a lob than flick cast.