rod sensitivity ratings. Euro v. lure weight

[Seanstone]

I have been greatly disappointed in the accuracy of the lure weights of rods in determining a rods sensitivity and stiffness. As a general rule of thumb, higher lure weights mean stiffer and less sensitive rods. But this isn't always the case. I own over a dozen different cat rods and the lure weight doesn't seem to be the same from brand to brand.

I have been experimenting and researching methods of rating the sensitivity and stumbled upon a euro method. They measure stiffness and sensitivity by the amount of weight required to bend the tip in a 90 degree angle from the reel seat or butt of the rod. Most cat rods range from 2 to 3.5 pounds.

I was wondering how everyone else felt about the lure weights? I feel that the euro method would be more accurate, and would allow anglers to purchase rods confidently without actually handling it. Also, do you guys have any suggestions on how to measure backbone of a rod, using the euro system? Experience has taught me that sensitive in the tip, and the strength of the back bone aren't always related. Some rods have limp tips...fast....and strong backbones. Such as the ugly stick catfish series rods. So I wanted to find a way to rate the tip as well as the backbone. Ideas? Agree or disagree?

[Blackhorse]

Lure weight has nothing to do with the sensitivity, it is only the suggest amount of weight the manufacture suggest to use with a blank. Tip action is determined from XXFast to Slow, Rod power is from XXlite to XXXheavy depending on the manufacture and what material it is made from. Most Cat rods are from lite to X heavy power and the action is normally from fast to slow depending on personal preference. The lighter the action the more sensitive the rod with glass and eglass rods, not always true with graphite, s-glass and other materials.

[Seanstone]

Thanks for the clarification. I must have missread and wrongfully assumed that ststiffer rods launch more weight. This is just how i judged my rods. That makes more sense now that I have re-read a few of the articles. But after looking at my rods I feel that the ratings varied between manufactures and within them as well. I have two ugly stik tigers, one med heavy 30 to 60 pound line, a medium with 20 to 50# line, a few ugly catfish series ugly sticks at med heavy 15 to 30, a catmaxx med heavy with 14 to 25# line, berkley reflex med heavy 10 to 30# line. Etc. The only one to list an action and power was the catmaxx. In my opinion the stiffness of rods ranks from stiff to limp as follows...med hvy ugly tiger, cat maxx, reflex, med ugly tiger, and then catfish series ugly sticks. I feel that the range of power within the medium heavy and medium with is way to broad to really get a good idea from these numbers. My question would then be, is there a better way to convey these power and action ratings that would make it easier to understand? Or is it that I just don't grasp everything entirely, which may be the case?

[Blackhorse]

I think that is about right, as for the ugly sticks, if you look at 10 of them they will all be different, not running them down just saying, the tips with the tip top off the size will vary 2 sizes on what top it takes. That don't make them a bad product, you just can't tell what action a hundred of them are so they just slap a sticker on em. The Cat Maxx rods even tho a very cheap made blank is going to be the closest to what the ratings are, also one of the better comercial made rods, the guides are pretty much in the right place and they use decent parts to make them.

[jingles1952]

If you buy a Blackhore rod you can choose how you want it made..................

[Seanstone]

Thanks again for the info. I'll start looking at the power and action of rods when I shop around.

I'm sure a blackhorse rod would be well worth the money, just don't have the money right now, maybe after I i get my tax return back. Lol My dream rod would be a 9 foot ugly stick tiger a little stiffer than a medium and not as stiff as the medium heavy. Can't find one like it, so I have been buying cheap rod after cheap rod. Atleast its a learning experience.