Casting weight of rods

[Sneaker]

Ok, so i have looked everywhere and can't seem to find the answer. It may be because it's a dumb question but asking does't hurt.
Is the casting weight of a rod including everything u have on your rig or just the sinker? I am thinking everything but just making sure.

 

[Cobia333]

It's the sinker weight. So for example if it said 3 to 5 oz a 4oz would be safe to use with a smallish bait.

I stick to the specs as close as possible. At least if you have rod failure you will not be guilty of doing something silly.

 

[tadeo]

As Cobia said. However I do get away with heavier if I just lob the bait. But if you are going to looi it you will run into trouble

 

[RotsRot]

This question was asked some time ago on another post. Enigma's answer was that the ratings are in fact for everything - sinker as well as bait. So a 7oz rating would mean a 6oz sinker plus a medium-sized bait, more or less.
But one's casting style has a lot to do with it - guys who REALLY load a rod with a powerful pendulum technique or such could snap a rod, whereas a gentler / simple over-the-shoulder cast would not with the same weight on...
I've heard of some guys with gentler style get away with exceeding specs by a long way too, eg. an 8oz sinker on a rod only rated to 6 (not a chance I would want to take though).
Personally, I generally cast with a "mild" pendulum action and not a massive drop - max 2m. On my heavier rod which has a 5-7oz rating I have cast a 7oz sinker plus a bait that weighs at least 1oz, sometimes more, many times with no issues whatsoever.
If I am wrong please correct me, but that's my understanding.

 

[tadeo]

Well that's how I see it. It is a situation of getting a specific bait and sinker in a spot that is short distance.