im assuming that 3/8 is way heavier than 1/4 so I'm wondering what you would do still throw 1/4 baits on a rod meant for 3/8 lures

Way heavier?  3/8 is 1/8 oz heavier than 1/4.  I do it all the time.  

Don´t pay too much attention to rod ratings, evidently, you are going to have one heck of a time trying to cast a 2 oz swim bait with an UL rod or trying to cast a 1/8 oz jig with a XH rod, a MH rod can easily cast a 1/8 oz bait all the way up to 1/2 oz, it´s a matter of pairing the rod to a line that will allow you to do it, obviously you will have one heck of a time trying to cast that 1/8 oz bait with 17 lb test while trying to do the same with 10 lbs test is going t make a world of difference.

10 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

Way heavier?  3/8 is 1/8 oz heavier than 1/4.  I do it all the time.  

This... If you can get decent casting distance then go for it.

Like Raul said, don't go way over the rating or you could break the rod, but going under isn't going to hurt anything except maybe casting distance.

Seriously y'all cracking me up!

I throw weightless Trick Worms, Finesse Worms, Speed Craws, 3/16 oz spinnerbaits, 1/8 oz buzzbaits, Rapala P07s; on a Crucial 6' 10" MH  3/8-3/4 with a Calcutta 100A!

 

I've thrown a weightless super fluke jr (1/8oz maybe?) on a H rod once when I was on a bluegill bite around wood. Wasnt' the easiest to cast, but it was possible.. 

Lol you can do a lot with a MH, from 1/8 to 1 oz.

I would pay more attention to the max lure weight rating than the minimum. If you feel that you can cast a lighter lure a reasonable distance then there is no reason why you can't

Only way to know for sure is to try.  I've thrown a 3/16 oz. Rapala on a rod rated 3/8-3/4 oz.  I've a MH rod rated 3/8 to 1-1/4 oz. that will barely cast a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait a decent fishing distance.

So do you fellas think I can throw a 1/2 oz lure on a rod meant for 3/8-1 oz 

35 minutes ago, Red_King814 said:

So do you fellas think I can throw a 1/2 oz lure on a rod meant for 3/8-1 oz 

Dude quite reading what's printed on the rod!

They are suggestions only

........yep

I see the problem, you aren't sure of weights so I'll help. If we start at 1/4oz, and go by 16ths the next weight would be 5/16oz, then 3/8oz, 7/16oz, 1/2oz, 9/16oz, 5/8oz, 11/16oz, 3/4oz, 13/16oz, 7/8oz, 15/16oz and 1oz.  If that is too much just got by 8ths and we have 1/4oz, 3/8oz, 1/2oz, 5/8oz, 3/4oz, 7/8oz, and 1oz. So a rod with a range of 3/8oz to 1oz will handle everything from 3/8oz to 1oz but in reality it will probably be ok with 1/4oz up 1.25oz but you would have to try it first. As someone already said, don't get caught up too much with the weight range, it is meant as a guide to help you choose the rod you need, for example, if you are throwing mostly weightless worms and smaller baits that are like 1/2oz and under then you would select a rod rated like 1/4oz to 5/88 which is slightly more than 1/2oz and that would be a medium power. Most medium power rods run in the 1/4oz to 5/8oz range and most medium heavy run 1/4oz to 3/4oz, but there are some that run up to 1oz. Jigs and worms around cover you almost always opt for a MH rod, if you are fishing jigs and worms that aren't heavy and are in open water or sparse cover, you can get away with a medium power and that is all you need to worry about.

The stiffer the rods action is the more difficult it becomes to cast accurately or any distance with weights  lighter than the rod can load up on during the back cast. Most MH fast action bass rods can cast fairly good using lighter weights than a 1/4 oz.

I fish with a heavy 5+ power jig-worm rod and easily cast 1/8. & 3/16 jigs and worms...not ideal but very functional. 

Tom

Main issue I have when trying to throw light lures on stiffer casting rods is lack of casting distance because the rod doesn't load properly, and, backlash especially if it's windy.  As long as you cast it as far as you want to without backlashes, go for it.

Keep in mind what I wrote in your PM!

A 1/4 spinnerbait is the weight of the lead head only, add a hook, wire frame, a skirt, a couple swivels, a couple split rings, & A couple of blades & you have far exceeded 1/4 oz.

A 1/4 oz bullet weight, a 3/0 hook, a Trick Worm, & again you've exceeded 1/4 oz.

So for your 3/8-1 oz rated rod you should easily throw 1/4-1 1/4 oz lures!

Thank you guys a lot I really appreciate the help I made this harder than it had to be!!!

51 minutes ago, Red_King814 said:

Thank you guys a lot I really appreciate the help I made this harder than it had to be!!!

No ya didn't

5 hours ago, Red_King814 said:

So do you fellas think I can throw a 1/2 oz lure on a rod meant for 3/8-1 oz 

Last I checked, 1/2 ounce is in between the recommended weights of 3/8 and 1 ounce. 

You guys are awesome and I really appreciate you guys not being rude about this type of stuff to me it means a lot 

I came here to be rude but I guess I won't this time.  

6 minutes ago, Red_King814 said:

You guys are awesome and I really appreciate you guys not being rude about this type of stuff to me it means a lot 

It is basic math (figuring out what weights are within a rod's rating), but not everyone can grasp it.  My daughter is horrible in math.  Work with her today until she understands it.  Tomorrow it is gone.  It definitely isn't because she is stupid.....except in math.    She had the head of a hospital psychiatric department tell her she should become a psychologist.

I program lathes.  Before that I worked in sheet metal.  I'd better have a decent understanding of math.  Some people I work with don't.  Would never consider putting them down for it.

Generally people here are not rude without some kind of provocation.  Asking questions about something you don't understand does not fall in that category.  That isn't to say that the occasional smart remark won't be made, but it is usually made to poke fun, not ridicule someone.

4 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

It is basic math (figuring out what weights are within a rod's rating), but not everyone can grasp it.  My daughter is horrible in math.  Work with her today until she understands it.  Tomorrow it is gone.  It definitely isn't because she is stupid.....except in math.    She had the head of a hospital psychiatric department tell her she should become a psychologist.

I program lathes.  Before that I worked in sheet metal.  I'd better have a decent understanding of math.  Some people I work with don't.  Would never consider putting them down for it.

Generally people here are not rude without some kind of provocation.  Asking questions about something you don't understand does not fall in that category.  That isn't to say that the occasional smart remark won't be made, but it is usually made to poke fun, not ridicule someone.

Exactly.  My post earlier may have been a bit smart alecky, so sorry about that if it was perceived in that way.  

this video may help with casting lighter weights

 

24 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

It is basic math (figuring out what weights are within a rod's rating), but not everyone can grasp it.  My daughter is horrible in math.  Work with her today until she understands it.  Tomorrow it is gone.  It definitely isn't because she is stupid.....except in math.    She had the head of a hospital psychiatric department tell her she should become a psychologist.

I program lathes.  Before that I worked in sheet metal.  I'd better have a decent understanding of math.  Some people I work with don't.  Would never consider putting them down for it.

Generally people here are not rude without some kind of provocation.  Asking questions about something you don't understand does not fall in that category.  That isn't to say that the occasional smart remark won't be made, but it is usually made to poke fun, not ridicule someone.

Well in all honesty I was sitting in class and I've been getting ready for finals for my senior year and i was having a moment so I just asked instead of getting more side tracked lol I can handle the smart remarks;)

19 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Exactly.  My post earlier may have been a bit smart alecky, so sorry about that if it was perceived in that way.  

No you're okay I didn't mean anything like that I can handle the smart remarks it's all in fun but I've been on some places asking more logical questions and have been ***** on for the simplest stuff you know what I mean ?