Grain weight and line standards

When you add the grain weight of a line, the app checks it against the AFFTA standard: the weight of the first 30 feet of an overhead line.

It tells you one of three things:

• A match, for example A 5 weight line by the AFFTA standard (134–146 gr).
• A difference, for example About a 6 weight by the AFFTA standard. The rod is a 5. A heavier line is common on fast rods and for short casts; a lighter line can make the rod feel stiff up close.
• A head: Skagit, Scandi and shooting heads are rated by the weight of the head, not the 30 ft standard. Check the rod maker’s grain window instead.

The check is information, not a rule. Many casters line a rod up or down on purpose.