Rod Power And Action

[crankcaster100]

Can someone please explain to me what power and action mean to a nubee like my self when picking out fishing rods?

Basically I want to purchase a few rods in the near future and I don't know if I need a medium or heavy power and action??

I want a rod for crank baits (less than 1 oz)

A rod for spinner baits

And a rod for heavy jigs and senkos t - rigged

Thanks

[Hooligan]

Power- How heavy, or what weight it can handle.

 

Action- the taper of the blank.  The faster the taper, the stiffer the flex of the rod comparative to the power.  More progressive tapers are generally noted as slower rods.

[crankcaster100]

Ok but how would you apply it?

Would I want heavy or medium for each rod?

What is the norm?

[Missourifishin]

I recommend taking a few minutes to check out these articles:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/rod-actions-power.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/equipment.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_fishing_rod.html

[Hooligan]

BAH!  I was looking for a post I'd made some time ago explaining the reason we choose the rods we do, and why we prefer one over the other.  It's not always an easy thing to delineate but, there really are reasons there.

Starting out, power-  The power of the rod is what determines what that rod is capable of lifting, if you will.  That plays out more in the presentation aspect than any other, for starters.  Look at the baits that you're going to be throwing the most, and use the cover that you're going to be in to make an informed decision.  A lite power rod, in most instances is not suitable for bass fishing to any degree.  It just isn't.  There are guys that will argue how much fun it is to go out and play with fish on an ultralite rod- just don't.  It's bad for the fish and completely unnecessary.  Generally Medium-lite power is where you're going to start with bass fishing, and that's usually very specific instances.  Dropshot, small cranks and topwaters- almost always in relativly open water.  Not a cover rod.  Medium rods are a little more versatile, whether for cranking, for fishing plastics and jigs, or about any circumstance that you're going to be presenting the lighter end of the general bass fishing spectrum.  A MH rod is a general purpose all around stick.  It's a rod that will handle about 99% of what you're going to do in medium cover to even heavy cover.  Are you seeing where this goes?  As you go up in power, lure weight and cover goes up.  yes, there are instances that it is variable, but the truth usually remains the same in terms of what you're going to be doing with rods.

 

Actions of a rod- based entirely on the blank of the rod; more specifically, the taper of the blank.  It has nothing to do with the "tip" of the rod, the butt, or any other part alone.  It is the entire blank of the rod.  Moderate rods are generally crankbait rods, or treble hook baits, lets say.  Jig rods, are usually much, much faster and bend less into the blank.  Think of the action of the rod as being the "Speed" of the rod:  the faster the rod moves from a bent position to being completely motionless the faster it is.  The longer it takes to remain motionless, the slower.  Slower rods are more adept for treble hook baits.  Single hooks require a rod that is both more powerful and faster in order to generate penetration of the hook.

 

What rods do you want for startes?  A 7' MH fast is a great all around rod to start with.  A 7' MH moderate is a great starter crankbait rod.  Either of those rods will fish a spinnerbait adequately.

[crankcaster100]

Thanks Hooligan

That will help me

I appreciate it

[mjseverson24]

Can someone please explain to me what power and action mean to a nubee like my self when picking out fishing rods?

Basically I want to purchase a few rods in the near future and I don't know if I need a medium or heavy power and action??

I want a rod for crank baits (less than 1 oz)

A rod for spinner baits

And a rod for heavy jigs and senkos t - rigged

Thanks

 

The other guys did a good job of describing what power and action, so I will just give some advice on the rods for each technique.

crankbaits) a 7' Medium/Moderate to moderate fast preferably a glass and graphite mix like the shimano TC4 or quantum kvd and so on

spinnerbaits) a 7' Medium Heavy/ Moderate fast I like either the shimano compre/clarus or abu rods vendetta/veritas or you can find some great deals on verdict rods.

Jigs and t-rigs) I like a 7'2" MH/F to XF with a decently sensitive to very sensitive blank depending on your budget. abu/st. croix/13/shimano they all have great offerings at a good price.

 

Mitch

[Jrob78]

Simple definitions

Power = how much weight it takes to flex the blank.  A light rod flexes with very little weight, a heavy rod flexes with more weight.

 

Action = where along the blank the flex occurs.  An extra fast action flexes at the very tip.  A moderate action flexes deeply into the blank.   A parabolic action means the entire blank flexes.  Normally fiberglass rods are the only true parabolic actions.

 

[Hooligan]

Simple definitions

Power = how much weight it takes to flex the blank.  A light rod flexes with very little weight, a heavy rod flexes with more weight.

 

Action = where along the blank the flex occurs.  An extra fast action flexes at the very tip.  A slow (moderate) flexes deeply into the blank.   A parabolic action means the entire blank flexes.  Normally fiberglass rods are the only true parabolic actions.

I'll disagree only on the very last statement.  Typically, parabolic rods are NOT glass.  Truly parabolic rods are most often graphite because of how specifically they can get the blank to strain in certain portions of the blank.  Glass is nearly impossible to manipulate in that manner without additional materials aiding in the process.  Also, it doesn't mean that the entire blank flexes, a parabola is a bend at a specific point creating a curve with the two sides of equal length. 

[Jrob78]

I'll disagree only on the very last statement.  Typically, parabolic rods are NOT glass.  Truly parabolic rods are most often graphite because of how specifically they can get the blank to strain in certain portions of the blank.  Glass is nearly impossible to manipulate in that manner without additional materials aiding in the process.  Also, it doesn't mean that the entire blank flexes, a parabola is a bend at a specific point creating a curve with the two sides of equal length. 

If you say so.  I've always heard parabolic action described as flexing from tip to butt, usually associated with fiberglass rods.  It's like so many other things, people repeat what they've heard without really understanding what it means.  I may be guilty of that as well so I won't argue something I can't prove one way or the other.

[Hooligan]

Genuinely, it's a common misconception.  Some will term it as being to semantics, but it isn't.  It's purely the physics of the rods.

[crankcaster100]

I was thinking of the St croix rage series

Any advice?

Good / bad?

Cheaper with same quality?

[WIGuide]

St. Croix is always a good brand to go with. I've heard some mixed reviews about their Rage rods, not so much in performance, but in the feel. Some people love the grip and some absolutely hate it. I'd suggest going to a store and seeing if you like it or not. Otherwise it's a good rod. The Avid is built on the same blank, but they have a traditional cork handle and are also built in the US in my neck of the woods. The other advantage to the Avid is that it comes with the lifetime warranty vs. the 5 years of the Rage. I think either would be a great option for you.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I recommend taking a few minutes to check out these articles:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/rod-actions-power.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/equipment.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_fishing_rod.html

Eddie puts it very well in his article found through the first link above.

[ww2farmer]

Also, to make it more interesting.............there is no "standard" amongst the rod companies. What some call a medium power , others might call a MH, and some call a fast what others would call an XF. About the only "rule of thumb" is there is none.

[Jrob78]

Also, to make it more interesting.............there is no "standard" amongst the rod companies. What some call a medium power , others might call a MH, and some call a fast what others would call an XF. About the only "rule of thumb" is there is none.

This is very true.

[roadwarrior]

Maybe this will help:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/35514-rods-power-and-action-%C2%A0defined/

[F14A-B]

Also, to make it more interesting.............there is no "standard" amongst the rod companies. What some call a medium power , others might call a MH, and some call a fast what others would call an XF. About the only "rule of thumb" is there is none.

True,True, True!!! I love it!!!

[crankcaster100]

Thank you to all contributors

The one thing I love about this site is the experienced angler's don't talk down to us newbies and really try to help.

[CYP]

Thanks,  this is really helpful