Rod Designations And What They Mean

[Hooligan]

I see a tremendous people describing the preferred action and power of a rod, and it would appear they really don't know what they are looking for. We will look at that here.

When it comes to the power of a rod, be it medium, light, heavy, or any; the easiest way to think of it is the lifting strength, or deflection of the rod. It is not where that rod deflects, but the amount of weight, or force, it takes to make the rod bend.

The second aspect of a rod is the taper of the blank. It is not the taper of the tip alone, as some would say, but the entire rod from butt to tip. The taper of a rod is most often described in terms of moderate, moderate fast, fast, and extra fast. To break it down in very simple terms, it is the speed of that taper that earns the blank its designation. To say a rod is an extra fast tip is completely arbitrary, a moderate fast rod can have a comparably Xfast tip, which means nothing if you do not consider the overall taper of the rod.

Another way to consider the speed of the rod is the rate at which the rod recovers from deflection to being completely stable once again. A moderate rod will continue to waver far longer than will a fast.

These two can be broken down even further, into mag classifications, and by various manufacturer standards. Also, in comparing one brand to another you will very often notice a tremendous difference between the two designations of power and taper.

Other than those two major pieces of information, the suggested weights and lengths are very much self explanatory.

[aavery2]

I think a lot of it is just semantics, the term "tip" and "action" have become synonymous.

[Hooligan]

I think a lot of it is just semantics, the term "tip" and "action" have become synonymous.

I disagree, which is why it's important to look at the actual properties. There are a multitude of examples that one could show that explain exactly why it's a misnomer.

[Rumslo]

I basically agree with Hooligan, though would also add the consideration of the IM rating of a rod. The construction material of a rod will have significant affect on the "power/action" of that rod.

[ForceofWill]

Good topic especially for newer guys like myself. My carbonlite and pro qualifier rods are both "medium-heavy, fast" but there's a significant difference in their stiffness and actions. I would be really leary about ordering rods online without having actually felt them first. It was a little surprising how inconsistent this standard could actually be between rods.

[LgMouthGambler]

Every manufacturer is different in the rating system. As ForceofWill said, you have to feel them for yourself, the rating is just a guide. Hooligan is correct about the taper of the whole rod though. Again, the XF, F, Mod, do all vary from different manufacturers. As well as H, MH, MH, etc..

[aavery2]

I disagree, which is why it's important to look at the actual properties. There are a multitude of examples that one could show that explain exactly why it's a misnomer.

I personally don't disagree with what you stated. My point is that rod Mfg's give us Power and Action ratings on their rods. Power being the amount of pressure required to flex the rod, and action being the point that the rod flexes along the blank. The Mfg's don't offer any information about recovery or tip speed.

I think a lot of people just use the term tip and action interchangeable, not that it's correct but it has just become a common practice.

[papajoe222]

I think a lot of people just use the term tip and action interchangeable, not that it's correct but it has just become a common practice.

I agree and it'll drive anyone that sells or makes rods loopy. Even the pros do it. Kind of like someone that uses the term structure when talking about cover. I avoid the frustration of attempting to educate them. Just hand them a rod and ask if that's what they're looking for. Do that a couple of times and I have a fairly good idea of what they want.