Hello all. i just got a huge wake bait but in my infinite wisdom did not mind the lure weight versus the lure weight ratings on my rods. so i have a 2 oz. wake bait but my beefiest rod (my flipping rod) reads .25 oz to 1.5 oz. so my dilemma is, should i tie on the wake bait anyway cause manufacturers under rate their rods? or dont do it at all cause i could mess up my rod and possibly lose a bait? thanks guys

Manufacturers do not underrate their rods, on the contrary they tend to overrate them.  

By exceeding the lure weight rating you overload the rod and it doesn 't cast the bait that well, it 's something that you can feel ( overloading ) when you cast the bait. You are not going to mess up your rod, it ain 't gonna break.

lol, thanks raul, you have been on top of my posts in the last 5 min.  thats pretty awesome of you.

Very slow day that 's all ----> too much time on my hands.  

Now back to business, if you are planning on getting more 1.5+ oz baits I do recomend getting a more powerful rod ( something that can cast 1-3 oz baits ), you achieve better distance, better presentation and casting easiness than by overloading your rod.

Get a swimbait rod, simbait rods not only can carry the load easily, they also have long rear handles ( which you don 't find in conventional flipping sticks ) that allow you to cast with both hands comfortably and with a lot less fatigue.

As Raul stated, get a heavier rod and the "balance" the rod, reel and line with your bait.

This means that the rod will support your lure weight and line test; the reel will support the line test; and the line will support the lure.

Simple.  ;D

You may want to consider a heavy 7 foot rod for your heavy swimbaits on a baitcaster that can handle the pressure of the retrieve and fight.

May I suggest going with a name brand, like the All Star, Kistler, G. Loomis, St. Croix , Fenwick or the Shimano and Diawa rods?

Speak with your local tackle shop salesperson for their ideas and suggestions, too.

Be sure to post photos of those lunkers you will catch with those large swimbaits.  

I have seen rods that were used with lure weights that the rod was not rated for. Right at the tip section taper, they would pop. When a rod is over loaded it puts undo stress in the tips taper and the rod will fail (usually on the back swing).

Sooner if the tip section has any kind of nick or scratch that will allow the fibers to seperate.

When ever purchasing any lures, always try to take the rods lure rating into consideration....

Or purchase a new system for the larger baits you intend on using.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

thanks reel mechanic, i just never made the correlation between the lure weight and what my rods could handle.  well i guess i will have to get another setup then lol.

anyone have a good suggestion for a swimbait setup?