mike47
Well-known member
When a particular rod is described as taking line up to 8lb. how is this decided? What does it mean if the 8lb. line is exceeded?
From an engineering/material strength point of view, if you exceed the recommended line rating significantly then you risk breaking the rod if sufficient load is applied. ie if a rod has a recommended rating of 8lb then under a normal steady load the line will break before the rod. it doesn't mean you cant use 10lb, but you reduce that factor of safety.
I was once on a coaching day with Tommy Pickering and Roy Marlow at the Glebe fishery. Tommy was pulling on his rod rigged with 6lb line, Roy at the other end had a pair of scales hooked in a loop on the end of the line. With a 'hefty' bend in the rod - the scales only read 6 ounces or so. Others then tried it and none managed to get a reading over 1lb. It really makes you think about the exact pressure you may be exerting on a fish whilst it is in the water.
I was once on a coaching day with Tommy Pickering and Roy Marlow at the Glebe fishery. Tommy was pulling on his rod rigged with 6lb line, Roy at the other end had a pair of scales hooked in a loop on the end of the line. With a 'hefty' bend in the rod - the scales only read 6 ounces or so. Others then tried it and none managed to get a reading over 1lb. It really makes you think about the exact pressure you may be exerting on a fish whilst it is in the water.
... how much force can be applied to that rod and line. .... The physics of leverage make it quite difficult in any case, unless the rod is getting nearer to pointing directly at the fish.
I was once on a coaching day with Tommy Pickering and Roy Marlow at the Glebe fishery. Tommy was pulling on his rod rigged with 6lb line, Roy at the other end had a pair of scales hooked in a loop on the end of the line. With a 'hefty' bend in the rod - the scales only read 6 ounces or so. Others then tried it and none managed to get a reading over 1lb. It really makes you think about the exact pressure you may be exerting on a fish whilst it is in the water.
Yep, I can totally see this. Anyone who has ever had a custom rod built by Kev Baynes of the Anglers Workshop will be familiar with his demonstrations of rod blanks with a spring balance attached to the tip by a short length of braid. I've seen top-of-the-range proprietry 3lb TC carp rods "bottoming out" at under 10lbs of load, yet his Harrison 'specialist' float rod blanks exert 17lbs of pressure and still have more in reserve.
I agree with mick b, reel drag is most important than line strength when playing fish. I use soft rods and light drag, and get away with much lighter line than most anglers would use
I tend to take the Manufacturers claims with a pinch of salt. For example I'm currently using a rod which is sold as a 'Barbel' rod, I've had number of chub on it up to 5+, most of which have managed to bend it almost double. I really wouldn't fancy my chances if a decent Boris came along.
From an engineering/material strength point of view, if you exceed the recommended line rating significantly then you risk breaking the rod if sufficient load is applied. ie if a rod has a recommended rating of 8lb then under a normal steady load the line will break before the rod. it doesn't mean you cant use 10lb, but you reduce that factor of safety.