Gram rod rating vs. line rating

[Big Jay]

Ok, this is what really confuses me. I am looking for a parabolic rod to match my Saltist 50 with upgraded drag. I run 80# braid on the reel which is pretty standard.

The set up will be used mostly for Tuna jigging involving Jig weights from 5oz. up to maybe 10oz. Yo-yo (diamond) and butterfly style.

What should i focus on more? The jig weight rating? Or the line?

[Sea Draggin]

Jay,
For me the jig weight is the only thing I focus on. I pay no attention to the line rating at all.

I know that some of my rods can take more drag than others and just use them accordingly.

For the most part I am only using 80lb boat braid on everything. It has done well from 1lb sea bass to 200lb bluefin so far this year.

I focus on jig weight because I want the jig to load the rod and match up that way.

Hope that helps.

Capt. Wanna-be out

[Big Jay]

Jay,
For me the jig weight is the only thing I focus on. I pay no attention to the line rating at all.

I know that some of my rods can take more drag than others and just use them accordingly.

For the most part I am only using 80lb boat braid on everything. It has done well from 1lb sea bass to 200lb bluefin so far this year.

I focus on jig weight because I want the jig to load the rod and match up that way.

Hope that helps.

Capt. Wanna-be out

Now that rating...that would be the Max weight correct? As in if use a smaller jig it would work as well?

The OTI rods are nice in that they list the max drag.

[gman]

Jay ... it really depends on the rod tip and how much flex it allows. I personally use 400 g rods. They allow me to use from about 200-400 g jigs effectively.

The most you will need for tuna IMHO is 400g. The line rating does come into factor with the amount of drag that can be used but i focus more on gram rating. If you have any questions call me

[Sea Draggin]

The weight is an ideal weight. Yes, you can jig a lighter jig, but you have to work harder to give it action.

When when we were jigging bluefins I was using a 500g rod (that I got from Gman) and a 160g jig. It like to work me to death to give it the action it needed, but I needed the heavy rod for the size fish.

Conversly an overloaded rod is actually easier to jig. A concept taught to me by ChrisW is that is actually easier for a beginner to fish an overloaded rod, because the rod does the work.

But what do we know.

Capt Hack out.

[Sea Draggin]

Jay,
Good question by the way. I think a lot of folks struggle with this same question, because I get 2 or 3 calls a week about this.

[gman]

The weight is a reccomended weight scale which will impart the CORRECT action on the jig but like i said it has more to do with the rods tip than anything else

A 500g Wei World Tip is different than a 500g Smith which is different than a 500G JM. Some of these mentioned rods can move a 200g jig easy and right and some you need to work hard to work them easy and right

[BretABaker]

Jay ... it really depends on the rod tip and how much flex it allows. I personally use 400 g rods. They allow me to use from about 200-400 g jigs effectively.

The most you will need for tuna IMHO is 400g. The line rating does come into factor with the amount of drag that can be used but i focus more on gram rating. If you have any questions call me

yeah, i agree. if a rod is really rated to 500g+ then itll generally be overkill for 99% of tuna you're going to encounter. each rod is different though. what one maker claims is 500 may be anothers 350.

[BretABaker]

A 500g Wei World Tip is different than a 500g Smith which is different than a 500G JM. Some of these mentioned rods can move a 200g jig easy and right and some you need to work hard to work them easy and right

ha, you beat me

[Sea Draggin]

yeah, i agree. if a rod is really rated to 500g+ then itll generally be overkill for 99% of tuna you're going to encounter. each rod is different though. what one maker claims is 500 may be anothers 350.

Thats true. Here is one for you. Diawas 5'11 300g is a true 300g rod. Diawas 5'9 300g rod is really a 400g rod. Much heavier than rated.