Boat rod lb class to lead weight

[steveb1978]

Hi Guys,

My first post!

Over the last 12 months I've really gotten into Sea Fishing, prior to this I was a pure coarse fisherman.

Last month I finally got round to buying my first proper sea rod and reel after previously using light carp & specimen rods for pier & rock fishing.

For this summer I have decided to get in to boat fishing and I have been looking into available rod & reel options.

The rods i really like are the Ugly Stik GX2's they are well within my budget, but I am confused which class rod to get. Being a coarse fisherman by nature I'm all about sport so I was hoping to get the lightest rod available 12-20lb but where I plan on fishing the skipper has advised that leads of 8-12oz are common and sometimes 1lb is required.

Will a 12-20 rod handle this sort of weight or am i best getting a 20/30lb rod.

Cheers,

Steve

[The Great Wallsendo]

Hallo mate...8-12 oz lead will be perfect for a 12-20 rod...a 1lb lead would ruin any enjoyment completely as it would be too heavy.

Personally I prefer a 12-20 rod as it's more than capable of catching what will be an average of 6lbers and the occasional doubler

Welcome to the forum

[canman]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. Just like Tony says, the majority of the fish you will probably be catching, will be under ten pounds, and will of coarse give a better account of themselves on a light rod.
On some occasions, you will have to use heavier leads to combat drift from tide or wind,but other times, you will get away with 5-6ozs especially on the not too deep wrecks.Good luck with whatever you choose.

[KeithB]

Welcome Steve.

Sorry Arthur I disagree, I'd never use a 5 or 6oz sinker on a charter boat, don't think you'd be very popular.

[Norman]

welcome aboard steve,

agree with most things said so far 12-20 rod ideal, but again like keith I would plump for 10 or 12 oz leads.

with rods its like steaks,you start off full on, big rod for big fish (or steak well done to burnt) but as you age you prefer them less cooked I'm certainly a medium rare when it comes to rods now ... oh and steaks as well.

great to have new members, welcome mate

norm

[kayos]

I was once standing beside a guy on a charter using light leads, got so sick of it I gave him some of mine. And he was using braid straight through!

[david.northeast]

A friend of mine has used the 12-20 class gx2 rods all last year with 10-12oz leads. Handled them very well. I've seen him lift 16-17lb fish with no problem at all.

The new maxximus solid carbon rods are very soft. I have the 20-40lb class rod and was very surprised at how tippy there are. Once they bend into a fish the middle section is strong as an ox and will certainly handle big fish and big tides.

I don't see why you couldn't get away with a 12-20 class rod on a charter boat. I also wouldn't use any weights less than 10oz certainly not a charter anyway.

[canman]

I would agree with the weight of leads mentiond, but like i've said, on occasions when there is no wind, the boat is on a slow drift, and over a wreck in 100ft or a little more of water, your line can be strait down not causing a nuicance to other anglers. can't see the point of fishing with extra weight if not needed at that particular time.