Yeah, the weight is off the ground by like an inch. The knot for the loop to the weight is actually between the tip & first guide. I had the weight on a stool, and would reel up as close as I could, then lower the weight to the floor - covering my face becase I was expecting the rod to explode, lol. Roy deadlifted 40#'s with the one rated 40-60#, which I though was more 20-50# at best.
I updated my site with the blanks flexing with weight hanging, the lightest of the 4' blanks (30-50# trolling) handled 30#'s without batting an eye, and was asking for at least 15#'s more, lol.
http://northeastrodbuilders.com/blankflex.html