Rod Line Rating Question - Seeker Stealth
 

I found a killer deal on 1/2 price Seeker Stealth rods and bought 3.

I now have two Model #8020 CT's, Deckhand/Jigstick version. The website states they are line rated for 20lb test, and show 15-25 line rating stamped on the rod.

The rod seems like it has enough strength to run 30lb line, but I am no expert. Anyone know if these rods can run line outside the line class rating, ie... 30lb line and function well ?

Unfortunately they were out of the #8030 CT, or I would have bought one.

Sports chalet!!!

I would have to say the answer to your question is yes no and maybe. Not knowing what reel and drag setting you plan on using or type of fishing you will be doing it is tuff to say. My personal best YT was on a 25 lb line rated rod using 65 lb power pro and a 40 lb floor leader. A 43 lb fish in open water. Trying to catch the same fish in deep water rocks or trying to jerk a 15 lb cabria out of a Baja reef would be impossible without a rod with a bit more backbone.

Pritty sure I have the same rod, would say it's a good 20lb rod. Seen it fight 20-30 lb yellows and it wasn't pretty. The rod was bent in half and had little lifting power. If you had time and room to fight sure but on a fully loaded boat nah.

I have an 8020 and I'll say that's it's more a 25# rod than 20#. I don't believe there is enough backbone there for a true 30#. It doesn't mean you can't fish it that way, it's just not ideal...

Seeker does a good job of accurately rating their rods. They can be a bit conservative though. Running 30 on the rod will not break it, but as others have noted, you will max the rod's lifting capacity and not put any additional pressure on the fish.

Back before rods came in every imaginable weight rating guys used cut blanks to get the desired actions. Is the rod 8 foot? Maybe a bit drastic, but taking a 1 foot off the tip should make the action heavier.
mike