Let Us Talk About Rod Action

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Let me start by saying that I know what power, and action to use for a given technique. Also, lets try to stay on track, and not turn this into a huge argument.

I'll start with the styles of fishing that I use most often which are: Weightless worms/Senkos rigged Texas or wacky style. Lipless crank baits such as Rat-L-Traps in the 1/2 oz size. Spinner baits in the 1/4- 3/8 oz size with bouble willow blades. Fluke style soft baits. Top water Zara Spook most often. Last but not least, the beloved hollow body frog.

I'll start with the frog: I only fish frogs in very heavy cover like thick pads so my rod power and action Heavy XF.........

Weightless worm/Senkos rigged weightless or Wacky, one of my all time favorite styles of fishing: I normally I use a 6'8" - 7' MXF rod.

Lipless cranks AKA Rat-L-Trap: 7' M/Moderate

Spinner baits: 6'-7' MHF

Fluke style soft baits: 7'MF

Top Water: 7' MF

Now I know we all prefer a different length rods for different techniques, whats comfortable for may not be for you.

I picked up a few Falcon Bu Coo Micro rods and I have been fishing them hard, and have cought a ton of fish with them in the past week. These rods are as follows:

7' casting M/Moderate Fast

7' Spinning M/Moderate

6'6" spinning M/Moderate

I have used all these rods for all the techniques listed, and they all performed flawlessly with each technique. I have hooked up on every fish, and have not lost a single one.

I found the 7' Casting M/Moderate Fast to shine when fishing Lipless cranks, Senkos, Flukes and Spinner baits.

I found the 7' Spinning M/Modetate to shine in all the areas stated above.

I found the 6'6" Spinning to do eveything very well but a bit light for the 3/8 oz spinner baits.

I do not fish very deep water, on average 4-10'... The hook sets have been positive, and driven home with ease and the fish have all stayed on.

I did not fish any frogs with these, as I think that is pushing the limits of these rods.

My line has been Power Pro 20# on all set ups with a 24" 12# test mono leader.

I can only assume that the braided line is the answer.

So I imagine my question would be, "do you feel that the braided line makes the rods action act stronger than it really is"? I think so!

I am really enjoying the softer feel, and the positive hook-sets.

[Hooligan]

No, braid doesn't make the rod power or action any more powerful or faster than what it actually is. It doesn't make it feel that way, either; what it does is reduce the amount of force it takes to set the hook because there's less stretch in the line.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

No, braid doesn't make the rod power or action any more powerful or faster than what it actually is. It doesn't make it feel that way, either; what it does is reduce the amount of force it takes to set the hook because there's less stretch in the line.

My point was that by using braid you can use a slower rod to accomplish what a faster rod can accomplish using mono..

[TrippyJai]

My point was that by using braid you can use a slower rod to accomplish what a faster rod can accomplish using mono..

Are you talking about hook sets? Personally, I don't feel like you need to set the hook as hard as some people do. I barely have a hook set on any baits I use and if it doesn't penatrate pass the barb on the hook set, it'll do that during the fight.

[Dwight Hottle]

BASSHUNTER1961 when I read your post I thought what you were implying is that you have grown to like using moderate action rods especially with braid. Except for jigs or bottom contact baits I have grown to like moderate action blanks with a lot of different techniques when using braid which is all of the time.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

BASSHUNTER1961 when I read your post I thought what you were implying is that you have grown to like using moderate action rods especially with braid. Except for jigs or bottom contact baits I have grown to like moderate action blanks with a lot of different techniques when using braid which is all of the time.

Yes. I find with braid it is very easy to set the hook using a moderate action rod, and this action can be used for many different techniques. I like how the Moderate action handles and feels when fighting the fish. If I were to spool up with mono, Im sure the outcome would differ. Yes, I am really liking the moderate action!

I suppose what I'm saying is that rods action is not as critical when using braid.

[skeletor6]

No, braid doesn't make the rod power or action any more powerful or faster than what it actually is. It doesn't make it feel that way, either; what it does is reduce the amount of force it takes to set the hook because there's less stretch in the line.

Hooligan is right on. The rod and its action does not physically change just because of the type of line you put on it.. Since braid does not stretch, it does not require as hard of a hookset that a line that stretches does. Sometimes, people set the hook too hard on braid or even worse break rods due to them applying too much force on their hooksets with braid.

The rod's action will in your words "act" exactly the same, it is just how your line responds to that action that is where the difference is seen and where preferences in rod actions change while using braid. With that said, I have XF action rods that work fine with braid. Even St. Croix XF actions that are extremely fast work fine with braid. It is all about how you use the rod.

[skeletor6]

Yes. I find with braid it is very easy to set the hook using a moderate action rod, and this action can be used for many different techniques. I like how the Moderate action handles and feels when fighting the fish. If I were to spool up with mono, Im sure the outcome would differ. Yes, I am really liking the moderate action!

I suppose what I'm saying is that rods action is not as critical when using braid.

I do not agree with your last statement. Use a medium powered rod with an XF tip while using crankbaits and braid. That is a critical difference. Also, if it is not critical than why are you really liking the moderate action? A rods action is critical to your technique no matter what line you are using. DIfferent lines can change different actions desired, which explains your preference for a moderate action.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Yes. I find with braid it is very easy to set the hook using a moderate action rod, and this action can be used for many different techniques. I like how the Moderate action handles and feels when fighting the fish. If I were to spool up with mono, Im sure the outcome would differ. Yes, I am really liking the moderate action!

I suppose what I'm saying is that rods action is not as critical when using braid.

My favorite rod is Moderate action as well. I passed on the sale LTB 7' MED MOD casting rod a few months ago and still regret it.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Hooligan is right on. The rod and its action does not physically change just because of the type of line you put on it.. Since braid does not stretch, it does not require as hard of a hookset that a line that stretches does. Sometimes, people set the hook too hard on braid or even worse break rods due to them applying too much force on their hooksets with braid.

The rod's action will in your words "act" exactly the same, it is just how your line responds to that action that is where the difference is seen and where preferences in rod actions change while using braid. With that said, I have XF action rods that work fine with braid. Even St. Croix XF actions that are extremely fast work fine with braid. It is all about how you use the rod.

I realize that that the rods action does not physically change. Using the braid with near zero stretch allows you to use a slower rod for a technique that would require a faster rod for hook setting if mono was being used.

What I'm saying is, using a moderate action rod for soft plastics is not a problem if your spooled up with braid.

[skeletor6]

Hooligan is right on. The rod and its action does not physically change just because of the type of line you put on it.. Since braid does not stretch, it does not require as hard of a hookset that a line that stretches does. Sometimes, people set the hook too hard on braid or even worse break rods due to them applying too much force on their hooksets with braid.

The rod's action will in your words "act" exactly the same, it is just how your line responds to that action that is where the difference is seen and where preferences in rod actions change while using braid. With that said, I have XF action rods that work fine with braid. Even St. Croix XF actions that are extremely fast work fine with braid. It is all about how you use the rod.

I realize that that the rods action does not physically change. Using the braid with near zero stretch allows you to use a slower rod for a technique that would require a faster rod for hook setting if mono was being used.

What I'm saying is, using a moderate action rod for soft plastics is not a problem if your spooled up with braid.

Hooligan's statement and mine were both in agreeing that it requires lesser "force" in hooligans words and in my words I said as " not require as hard" of a hookset. Therefore, a slower action would be fine. We both acknowledged and agreed with that point.

Most of the presentations you mentioned (lipless cranks, wacky senkos, spinnerbaits,) do not require a hard fast hookset anyways. They either set themselves on a pull or are just sweeping hookset. So a moderate action is fine and I agree with you. A faster action would be a good idea for the texas rigs that you use though. Not only would there be added sensitivity, but also it would help driving home those 3/0 4/0 5/0 hooks quickly. Also, remember the action is not just for the hookset, it also plays a major factor in the presentation of the bait as well.

Also, there is something to be said about the St. Croix Legend XF actions. I really enjoy fishing with those even while using braid and they are the fastest I've yet to fish and they work very well with braid. The XF tips also allow me to launch baits much further with ease too. On my 893 NRX I was launching wacky rigged senkos with ease. When I put a 3/8 oz jig on my LTBC70MHXF I can launch baits too. The tip speed does allow further casting, that may come at a loss of accuracy though.

I wouldn't just limit yourself to just moderate type actions just because you decide to use braid is my point. I am actually going to probably get a mf action for a heavy frog/jig rod just because I like the idea of getting into the backbone and pinning it there for when pulling fish out of the junk.

But I am sure it felt good not losing a single fish. It sounds like you had an enjoyable experience. Good luck!