Open water gives a fish room to run and lets the drag protect the line. Grass, wood, rock, shell, docks, and mats add abrasion, snagging, bad angles, and a short clock. The same lure can need more rod, stronger line, a tougher leader, and faster pickup when it is fished beside cover.

But more power is not free. A rod heavy enough to drag a fish from a mat can overpower a small hook. Choose the lightest system that can drive the hook and land the fish through the cover you expect. If the hook cannot handle the required pressure, change the lure or presentation instead of forcing the combination.