Choosing the right line weight is one of your most important decisions as an angler. If you don’t choose the line well, it gets tough while fishing. Like choosing a fishing rod weight, you need to choose the right line weight depending on the type of fish you want to catch.
It is also essential to know the differences between line materials and their weight before starting line shopping. Can fishing line be too heavy? This article provides detailed answers to make it easier to understand which fishing line weight fits better.
Can the Fishing Line be too heavy?
Line rating, power, and lure rating are essential elements of fishing rod development to determine best practices when fishing. They are not always a perfect science, and they vary from one-rod Company to the other. This article explains the basics of ratings and how ratings differ between rod styles.
Line Rating
Line rating is intended to present the normal breaking strength of a line paired with a properly adjusted reel. If your fishing rod is marked 8-12lb, you should be able to fight the fish with good drag without breaking the fishing rod weight. You shouldn’t run a 30lb reader with a 50lb mainline and an 8-12lb load.
The “weight of fish” you want to catch doesn’t matter because it is highly dependent on the electric current on the fishing rod, the force of the fish, and other movements.
This can also indicate the lines used to attain the most excellent casting aptitude (accuracy and distance) while working effectively on the rod are bend. In general, some scopes can be thought of as “single grade”. This means that the desired wire diameter is based on the monofilament wire diameter.
Therefore, if you are working with a braided line, which has a smaller diameter than mono, you can achieve similar results by increasing the wire’s strength.
For example, a rod with a 10-20lb line rating can work effectively with a 15-30lb braid. This isn’t a fast and challenging rule, but it’s an excellent guide to follow.
The line rating usually matches the “power” of the load, but not always straightforward. Many base load types do not specify a line rating but instead specify the type of line used based on the power rating.
This rating can also provide a good guideline for the weight of the leader boards you can use. If you use a heavier mainline and a much higher leader than the line rating, you risk putting breakpoints on the load. In case, your leader is within rank, you are much more likely to break the line than a fishing rod.
If you have difficulty casting a fishing rod, check the line you are using and whether it is within the line rating.
Power
A rod’s “force” is determined by its ability to utilize its weight. The exciting thing about rod “power” is that it varies greatly depending on the rod type. It is essential to use a line suitable for that power. Using wires that are too light for heavy rods increases the risk of breaking the fish’s wires.
Using a wire that is too heavy for a light bar can cause the bar to break. Again, it is essential to fit your equipment to the load for the best performance.
The power of the surf rod is very different. If the “medium” grade steelhead rod is typically 8-12lb line, the medium surf rod can be somewhere around 12-25lb line and medium weighty Salmon Rod 10-20lb long with Medium-Heavy Surf 17-40lb.
Let’s look at the main “power” ratings.
Ultra-light fishing rods are commonly used for trout, crappie, kokani, and other small fish species. These have a lot of loose abilities and actions that make the lighter bells great fun. These fall into the “ultra-light” rating as they have difficulty carrying larger fish.
Lighter power rods can be anything from more capable trout rods to bass drop shots or lighter steelhead rods. Rods of different species will be defined differently, so there is a lot of variety in this range.
Medium-light is a light to the medium bridge. These are common for smallmouth bass rods and steelhead products. Many rod companies omit this power rating. On a surf fishing rod, you may have the ability to throw a few ounces, and, like any other range, you need to be very careful and stick to a light presentation.
Medium power rods
Medium power rods are trendy in that they can handle a variety of fish. For trout, the slightly heavier side is the most common steelhead rod. They excel in small and largemouth finesse skills and can handle small salmon species. Some saltwater rod series start in the middle for lighter saltwater options. Surf Mediums is a pretty competent bar that can take a few ounces a long way.
The Medium Heavy is a tremendous force for those looking for a fishing rod that can handle larger fish while maintaining good behavior. While medium-heavy rods are very common in surfing, saltwater, bass, salmon rods, etc., medium-heavy rods can differ significantly between saltwater jigging rods and salmon/steelhead combo rods. Do not use ratings as a comprehensive book for all species.
Now!
A heavy power rod is for moving large fish effectively. Various motions can change, but the fishing rod must have enough strength and backbone to move larger fish or carry heavier weights. Heavy force rods are very common for musk, swimming bait, salmon trolling, saltwater trolling, and live bait use. You should be able to pull the fish hard with a heavy action rod.
The Extra Heavy Rod is an all-out bruised rod for ultimate power. They are associated with the greatest needs of each fishery. Extra-heavy salmon fishing rods can move fish while supporting the maximum weight required. The Extra Heavy Saltwater Rod is for large species that need significant influence.
Extra Heavy bass world is often associated with large, heavy swimbait fishing or Alabama League. This ranking is for big productions and big fish!
Note: These power ratings disappear out of the window when moving to giant saltwater species such as marlin and sailfish.
Lure Rating
This measurement is primarily intended to describe the ideal weight for “loading” the rod into the cast. If the lure is too light, the rod will not load properly, resulting in shorter cast times. If the weight is too heavy, the rod will load too much, and the cast will be slow. With the proper weight lure, the rod will load properly, and you will get the optimum casting distance.
With a bass rod, this is very simple. If it says 1 – 2 1/2 ounces, you can bet on the rod that effectively casts that weight.
Trolling Rod Rating
When it comes to salmon trolling rods, you’ll be amazed at the lure rating. You can say that a bar with a pretty gentle action is 1-8 ounces. This can slow the cast. This rating can be applied to an ideal trolling weight that can be loaded onto a rod rather than a casting grade.
Also, on trolling rods that put the lure down to the floor without casting, you can often exceed the lure rating and get good results. Some fishing rods rated 1-8 ounces often troll over 12 ounces. As always, pay attention and keep an eye on whether the bar reaches its maximum value or behaves excessively.
Also, consider the drag the bait can deliver. You can only cut 4 ounces, but the drag of the plug loads much harder into the rod. In general, you can check if the load is overloaded and adjust accordingly.
If the rod has no lower rating, it can be a trolling or downrigger rod, not for casting.
Are you putting the rod at risk?
If you put too many rods in the cast, you need to be very careful with the cast, as the rod will not be able to accommodate it and may break due to excessive stress.
At the storage or fishing point, check if the bait or weight hits the fishing rod.
Do not run too heavy lines and do not put excessive stress on the fishing rod.
Choosing the right rod for the job
Using these concepts of line rating, power, and lure rating, you can make informed decisions about which fishing rod will work for your particular fishery.
This writing piece justifies the large compilation of fishing rods that many possess since all types of fishing can have different requirements, so you need a specific fishing rod.
Type of Fishing Rod
Fly rod
These rods come in various shapes and sizes. They are essentially designed for fly fishing. That said, it’s flexible enough that one graft can fly back and move forward, and it’s lighter and smaller in weight compared to other rods.
Casting rod
A fishing rod is built to allow fishermen to place bait and lure fish to their liking accurately. The bars are divided into two categories Baitcasting rod and spin casting rod. Check out some of the highest quality baitcasting reel under $100
Ice fishing rod
These fishing rods are shorter to make space available during ice fishing. They are similar to spinning rods. It’s 25 to 37 inches long at best and has less snow compared to traditional spinning rods.
Spinning rod
This type is very similar to a casting rod. Nevertheless, they are mostly lighter and shorter than cast rods. However, they are equipped with large eyes that reduce friction on the casting line when casting. Check out the guide on the best fishing line for spinning reels.
Sea fishing rod
They are small to please boat fishing and want to enable ship fishing. This fishing rod line should be very sturdy with large ends and large eyes (thick and heavy work). What’s more, it’s a big keg for easy catching of fish while fighting.
Trolling rod
This type is preferably an exciting type of rod. It is mainly used to catch fish because it is supported behind a moving boat. Most are aimed at catching large fish species such as marlin and tuna.
Telescopic rod
This is known as the top compression rod. Mainly because it’s 1 to 2 feet long when closed, so you can extend it to a pretty wide range, and it extends to about 20 feet long when you shoot.
Fishing rods of this type are widespread among surf fishermen due to their easy folding and small storage space for transportation.
Surf Rod
These rods can be classified as sea rods. The surf rod can be used as a heavy sinker and bait. Their long barrel allows for a throwing method with both hands. They also represent a more extended and more practical version of the spinning rod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you put too heavy a line on a reel?
Fishing too heavy a line increases the risk of breaking the fishing rod—simple things like fishing with a damaged line to the classics of forgetting the bait.
Should a leader be more massive than the Main Line?
Leaders can be stronger or lighter than the main fishing line. Leaders come in many types. However, they have one thing in common that helps you pick up fish. The leader adds weight to the fishing line. So it should neither be too heavy nor too light.
How much weight can a fishing line hold?
Pound test, also known as line test, refers to the fishing line’s strength in terms of pounds. This is defined as the most weight that a particular line can hold before breaking. For example, if a fishing line is labeled as a 20 lb. test, it means that the fishing can hold up to 20 lbs. without breaking.
| Power | Line Weight | Lure Weight |
| Ultra Light | 1 to 4 Ib test | 1/64 – 1/16 oz |
| Light | 4 to 8 Ib test | 1/32 – 1/8 oz |
| Medium | 4 to 12 Ib test | 1/8 – 3/8 oz |
| Medium Heavy | 8 to 14 Ib test | 3/16 – 1/2 oz |
| Heavy | 15 to 25 Ib test | Up tp 1 1/2 oz |
| Ultra Heavy | 25 Ib test and up | 1 1/2 oz and up |
Conclusion
Ensure that the tests on the line match the average weight of the target species, that the fish can absorb the crash load when it is struck, and that there is enough strength in the knot area.
Bait throwing in a lake requires a lighter and more sensitive line than saltwater fishing. This is because the fishing method is more active, and the target species is smaller.
Typical mono-filament is more flexible than high-tech braided lines and takes up more space in the spool.
