Matching lure weight to rod

[Mungo]

I need to replace a spinning rod. I had been using an 11’6” Abu Diplomat 28-40gr, which was absolutely perfect for what I wanted (casting lures a long way off rocks and piers and pulling mackerel and codling up out of snaggy areas).

As usual when you find a perfect rod, by the time you need to replace it, that model is discontinued and there’s nothing on the market that matches it.

I’ve found a few things that sort of match, but the lure weight range is much heavier (30-100gr). I want to stick using 40gr lures (because I have lots of them, and they work really well where I fish).

So - the question is: how will the casting performance of the rod be affected by using a lure at the lower end of the weight range (a 40 gr lure cast from a rod rated 30-100gr)?

A side question: I really enjoy catching mackerel using a single lure and lighter rod. I’m not really interested in winching them in on a broomstick and a strick of feathers. Would a 12’ rod rated 30-100gr be too heavy to really enjoy?

Any opinions/advice very much appreciated.

 

[enfieldspares]

My advice if you like what you had is ring round long established tackle shops. Up here it might be Gilders of Kettering or Northampton. Or try eBay?

I guess the other way to add weight is stick a ball of earth around the lure or something else that drops off as it hits the water. Same as freshwater anglers use a ball of wetted groundbait? Or use the quick dissolving bags used by the same folk for the same purpose?

It might even be possible the Abu importers (is it still Abu Garcia nowadays) have a list of dealers who were supplied such a rod? Is you rod lost, broken or simply needs new rings and grips?

 

[Mungo]

My advice if you like what you had is ring round long established tackle shops. Up here it might be Gilders of Kettering or Northampton. Or try eBay? I guess the other way to add weight is stick a ball of mud around the lure or something else that drops off as it hits the water. Same as freshwater anglers use a ball of wetted groundbait? It might even be possible the Abu importers (is it still Abu Garcia nowadays) have a list of dealers who were supplied such a rod? Is you rod lost, broken or simply needs new rings and grips?

I actually just want a second one of the same so my son can use it!

But also anticipating when it breaks.

 

[enfieldspares]

I actually just want a second one of the same so my son can use it!

But also anticipating when it breaks.

Up here I'd have approached the now late Steve Parton. Do Shakespeare not do a near knock off? A blank can always be made from a similar rod by de-ringing it and then whipping your preferred...ceramic lined....rings or tip ring to it? Maybe a #9 weight pike fly 'budgie chucker'? Also Decathlon might be your friend?

 

[Mungo]

Up here I'd have approached the now late Steve Parton. Do Shakespeare not do a near knock off? A blank can always be made from a similar rod by de-ringing it and then whipping your preferred...ceramic lined....rings or tip ring to it? Also Decathlon might be your friend?

My go to for years was Shakespeare. However, as far as I can tell their business model is entirely based on selling off the surplus of other brands previous models, so there’s no predictably on what models they’ll have. At the moment, they don’t have anything that matches. That may change in a year.

 

[enfieldspares]

What about Gregor at Macleod's of Tain? As he's not just 'scopes!

Often eBay has old Hardy Favourite spinning rods.

Or Woodys of Wembley? These are in your casting weight range?

Shimano Catana CX – Woodys of Wembley

These rods are built on an XT 30/40 Geo Fibre Blank. Each rod is fitted with a “Vibra Spot” reel seat to ensure the reel is safely secured. 2.1 metres > 1-11

woodysofwembley.com

 

[chriswjx]

It feels like you're waving around a poker to be honest...

I have a diplomat 10fter that's rated from 15-35g that I used to use for salmon. Trying to cast a vision 110 on it (about 17g) and there's absolutely no feel to it.

There's a guy up in Dundee who builds some fantastic spinning rods (I bought a 10'6" blank from him and built my go to spinner), but slightly different budget to what my Diplomat cost me... (I also can't remember if he does longer than 10'6")

 

[Mungo]

It feels like you're waving around a poker to be honest...

I have a diplomat 10fter that's rated from 15-35g that I used to use for salmon. Trying to cast a vision 110 on it (about 17g) and there's absolutely no feel to it.

The Diplomat I have is lovely casting 40g lures.

But I suspect that it would be pretty awful trying to cast anything less than 30g.

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I don't know if this is going to be helpful to the OP but I have an ICON (I believe made by LEEDA) 9 foot spinning rod rated for 20 - 60grams. I use it occasionally for pike if I am using light surface lures but keep it mainly for lure work/spinning for mackerel and bass. Paired up with a 5,000 sized fixed spool reel loaded with a good quality 25lb braid it casts all of my mackerel and bass lures (Weighing from about 18g up to 50g) like a dream (i.e. With a 40 gram stinger I can reach something in the region of 70 plus yards quite easily and without any real effort) For a "cheapish" rod I believe that this rod is real value for money and I would never dream of parting with it, so much so that I am likely to be using it a great deal more than my 11 foot mackerel (Feathering) rod that is rated at 1 to 3 ounces which with a 2 ounce lead on I can easily get 100 to 120 yards plus from it!
I have to say that I don't get any real pleasure from using a heavy rod with a string of feathers for mackerel unless it's just to fill the freezer up, I much prefer the real sport of spinning for them with a light rod with smaller lures - On a light set up a reasonable sized mackerel will give a hell of a fight, and this ICON rod has also handled Pike up to double figures really well too!

 

[oystercatcher87]

A 100 gram lure is huge and I think you are right, a rod rated to cast up to 100g will be a broomstick.

I have an HTO Glide Walker 10 - 42 g which is a really nice little rod and fine for bass, salmon and general spinning- would reccomend!

You should easily be able to find a rod with a similar rating however it will probably be shorter than the Abu Diplomat.

Glasgow Angling Centre has tons in stock.

 

[chriswjx]

I don't know if this is going to be helpful to the OP but I have an ICON (I believe made by LEEDA) 9 foot spinning rod rated for 20 - 60grams. I use it occasionally for pike if I am using light surface lures but keep it mainly for lure work/spinning for mackerel and bass. Paired up with a 5,000 sized fixed spool reel loaded with a good quality 25lb braid it casts all of my mackerel and bass lures (Weighing from about 18g up to 50g) like a dream (i.e. With a 40 gram stinger I can reach something in the region of 70 plus yards quite easily and without any real effort) For a "cheapish" rod I believe that this rod is real value for money and I would never dream of parting with it, so much so that I am likely to be using it a great deal more than my 11 foot mackerel (Feathering) rod that is rated at 1 to 3 ounces which with a 2 ounce lead on I can easily get 100 to 120 yards plus from it!
I have to say that I don't get any real pleasure from using a heavy rod with a string of feathers for mackerel unless it's just to fill the freezer up, I much prefer the real sport of spinning for them with a light rod with smaller lures - On a light set up a reasonable sized mackerel will give a hell of a fight, and this ICON rod has also handled Pike up to double figures really well too!

I think it really, really is dependent on the rod.

My custom built rod is "rated" (Designed) to cast from 15 - 35g, but is designed to have a much softer tip and generally action, so allows for even a V110 on the lower end to flex the rod - casting salmos does feel a bit like chucking ironmongery, and you can really feel the blank flex into the cast.

The Diplomat that I have is the complete opposite. I personally don't feel like I get any noticeable rod response until I am chucking those salmos out.

 

[FISH BOY]

Sharespeare Ugly stick - had mine donkeys years - bass to barracuda - virtually unbreakable.

Looks like they have plenty of weight classes to suit your needs.

 

[Cyres]

All my spinning and lure rods were custom made for me Dlst and SAS. I do have a couple of lovely Silstar and Cormaron rods.
Have a look on John Norris there is an ABU 2 piece which should fit the bill.
Alternatively look on Glasgow Angling Center.
D

 

[opticron1]

I've been using a Shimano Exage 330H for years for Salmon and sea fishing. Not so good with very light lures - I tend to use a telescopic 7ft thing for that - but can throw out a decent lure well, the rod states 20-50g, but I think other weights are/were available. Also breaks down into 5 sections which makes it easy to transport. Nice to use with a Shimano baitrunner reel.

 

[Dunwaters]

I actually just want a second one of the same so my son can use it!

But also anticipating when it breaks.

Buy 3.

 

[chriswjx]

Buy 3.

And a couple 11ft rods when you don't need quite the distance.

Oh could get a couple 12fters for just that time when you need a bit more oomft.

Couple of fly rods as well, cos salt water fly fishing is supposed to be awesome.

 

[Essexsussex]

I use a 40-60gm rod from my boat for up to 5oz leads (not casting) catching everything from tope to large bass, slow jigs to 130gr. I find it too stiff for casting lighter lures effectively. A rod rated to 100g will / should have quite a backbone. Try and go lighter.

For more views from fishing geeks (like we are stalking geeks), go to UK bass lure fishing - whatever rod you are looking at will have a user who will give a view.

I like the shimano bass vengeance range, cheap and well enough made. They come in a variety of weights. But there’s loads out there and the rating will vary.

 

[Mungo]

Buy 3.

I would - if they were available!

 

[Mungo]

And a couple 11ft rods when you don't need quite the distance.

Oh could get a couple 12fters for just that time when you need a bit more oomft.

Couple of fly rods as well, cos salt water fly fishing is supposed to be awesome.

Ah.

You’ve seen my loft…

 

[PMA]

Have a look at Glasgow angling centre they seem to have a large range and some good deals .