What is the point of bait and lures having ranks

[MiNuN]

Does it do anything if you match optimal rank?

[LemmingKingXXX]

while I don't know the relationship as you get closer to optimal rank, I know from first hand experience that the rate of loss if you are far below rank on lures is quite high compared to when you are closer to or at optimal

[Vesper]

What lemming said. Just like any crafted gear our there, lures have an optimal rank for when they are the most useful to you. Using it under optimal rank means you are going to get many many more lost lures as you fish with them. When your a low rank fisher its really not worth using higher rank lures, the loss rate can be really bad at times.

Also that loss rate seems to stack with fishing in an area above your rank or hooking a fish higher rank than you. If you are hooking fish and losing them because they are higher rank than you, losing your lure is all but assured, I have a fishing alt to go along with my main and I remember trying to catch Hammerheads at a low rank with spoon lures. Each time I hooked what it was you lost hammerhead shark and you lost your lure.

[LemmingKingXXX]

I wonder if there are benefits to being at optimal rank other than being able to use another lure that other fish may enjoy more than others (say now that I'm over 32 I can use the wildfowl lure at a lower risk so I can catch more bone crayfish as opposed to regular crayfish from the same ponds).

[Vesper]

I dont think fishing bait/lures should follow an optimal rank but be more focused on what type of fish you are fishing for and in what kind of waters. I normally will not use lures, I like making my own bait, the hit rate seems better and faster I find. But I have noticed the bait effects at which rate youll catch certain fish. eg, In iron lake if i use Moth Pupa i tend to catch more Maiden carp, but if I use say Bass Balls ill get more Crimson Crayfish. Dont know if thats a direct relation to bait and fish levels or just that one fish will bite on a certain bait more then others.

Some fish bite on some bait more than others. I thought that what a well known fact by now.