Right or Wrong line?

[Airborne]

Can someone explain what happens when you use the wrong wgt line/rod set up? like if the rod is a 6/7 and I use an 8 line and vice versa. thanks for the help...

[greenbuttskunk]

well, that can be hard to answer. Can depend on the actual action of the rod you are using. Generally if you put a heavier line on a lighter rod you will have one sloppy mess when you cast. Some lesser priced rods are rated, but in my opinion are off anyway. A lighter line, say a 5-6 on a 7 weight rod will be an easier indeavor to cast than vice versa. I've always matched my set-ups, but I can undertand having a line that does'nt match, they are not cheap sometimes.
good luck.

[marko]

The way the rod is weighted and balanced makes a difference. Generally if you go one weight heavier than recommended you will be happier than if you go the other way. Too light a line cannot load the rod properly. To heavy a line will over load the rod. A good rule of thumb is to use the heavier weight line a rod is weighted for, e.g., a rod rated 6/7 use the 7 etc.

[lilnorthfork]

I just asked Sage about using a 4wt. sinking line on my 5 wt. DS2 rod. Their reply goes along with Marko's post: "I would never recommend lining a rod down. You will have trouble getting the rod to load at any reasonable fishing distance."

[Grantspastor]

I agree with Marko. Overloading will not cause the sky to fall. It will however prevent you from making long graceful casts, because the rod can't power the heavier line.

[float2ber]

Using a 7 wt. line on a 6 wt. rod, for example, with slow the rod down. If the rod is rated as fast action, it will become a med-fast action rod, etc. And visa versa. Depending on your casting style, you may prefer to slow the rod down by going to a heavier line. And I agree, using a lighter line will not load the rod properly. You will wear yourself out trying to get distance casts.