Some of my rods are starting to feel ... overloaded? They shouldn't by the rating, but on the backswing it feels like it's loading too deep into the blank, in particular it feels laggy or not crisp when I go forward. I notice it most with softer tips. Maybe I'm just casting much harder than I used to? If that's the case is it better to back off, or to just shift up a little in power?

If the rod feels like its bottomed out on the back swing it can take too long to recover on the release, which can really affect distance. 

IDK about you but I fish some heavier baits than I did in even the 2000s. I don't recall using any baits over about 5/8 oz. for most of my life except for a C-rig. I've moved up to a MH 7' rod for my larger treble baits like the Whopper Plopper and SPRO Rat, even lipless cranks. And I use braid main line with a short mono leader on it. I just loosen the drag to compensate for the higher power and the braid.

Sounds as if you may need a heavier rod for lager baits. Fast tips are notorious for this.

On 5/18/2021 at 6:48 AM, Ski said:

Sounds as if you may need a heavier rod for lager baits. Fast tips are notorious for this.

Seems that way. Part of what I noticed is that my H rod used to feel like a broomstick, and now it just feels like it loads nice and deep.

 

Generally it sounds like the consensus is don't fiddle with the cast, just upsize the rods.  

28 minutes ago, txchaser said:

Seems that way. Part of what I noticed is that my H rod used to feel like a broomstick, and now it just feels like it loads nice and deep.

 

Generally it sounds like the consensus is don't fiddle with the cast, just upsize the rods.  

Fiddle with everything. Including the bearings.