Why so many MH rods?

[fish-fighting-illini]

 I understand that you need them for weeds and heavy cover but it seems like I see a disportionate(sp?) amount of them as compared to M's and such.

 Truth be told I gauge this mainly on what I see for sale in various used venues. Maybe that sums it up they bought wrong and are changing?

 It would seem to me that with all of the talk about sensitvity that MH would effectively ( maybe only in a small way ) reduce sensitivity.

Just curious of your thoughts not a big deal

[J Francho]

Once you get into a better quality rod, sensitivity and power are not as closely linked as they are in lesser rods.  Lesser rods rely on flex to transmit the bite, ehile a better rod simply transmits the vibrations to your hands through careful use of materials and components. The fact of the matter is, you can probably throw 95% of you what's in your tackle box using a good quality 7' MH/Fast action rod.

[WCCT]

I just think that the MH rods are better suited for a wider range of techniques.  

[Long Mike]

Once you get into a better quality rod, sensitivity and power are not as closely linked as they are in lesser rods. Lesser rods rely on flex to transmit the bite, ehile a better rod simply transmits the vibrations to your hands through careful use of materials and components. The fact of the matter is, you can probably throw 95% of you what's in your tackle box using a good quality 7' MH/Fast action rod.

X2

[flechero]

It would seem to me that with all of the talk about sensitvity that MH would effectively ( maybe only in a small way ) reduce sensitivity.

I would suggest the very opposite.  

Regardless of what so many people think, sensitivity is completely independent of power.  The power of the blank does not change the fiber's ability to transmit vibration.  Many people think that a delicate tip, or just a lighter tip is more sensitive because they can see it move... that's not sensitivity, just a weaker tip.  If you just go by the function of the blank's taper-   I would argue that the heavier power rod is actually more sensitive since it is less likely to dampen vibration in the tip.

When you feel something and are unsure of what you feel... one of those times when you can't tell if it's a very subtle bite or brush- what do you do?  Do you look at the tip or close your eyes and feel?  A lighter rod may "show" movement with no transmission of vibration.

Sensitivity in a rod is something I define by feel, not sight.  

I'd even take a heavy over a med-hvy to worm fish... because I think the lighter rod dampens more.  

keith

[Big O Tires Angler]

My medium rod throws the worms and my medium-heavy rod throws the jigs.

My opinion is that I'll throw a lure that is in the upper range that the rod was designed to handle. (ie. 3/4 oz spinnerbait on a medium-heavy rod rated at 1/4-1 oz)

[Big Bait Fishing]

It would seem to me that with all of the talk about sensitvity that MH would effectively ( maybe only in a small way ) reduce sensitivity.

I would suggest the very opposite.

Regardless of what so many people think, sensitivity is completely independent of power. The power of the blank does not change the fiber's ability to transmit vibration. Many people think that a delicate tip, or just a lighter tip is more sensitive because they can see it move... that's not sensitivity, just a weaker tip. If you just go by the function of the blank's taper- I would argue that the heavier power rod is actually more sensitive since it is less likely to dampen vibration in the tip.

When you feel something and are unsure of what you feel... one of those times when you can't tell if it's a very subtle bite or brush- what do you do? Do you look at the tip or close your eyes and feel? A lighter rod may "show" movement with no transmission of vibration.

Sensitivity in a rod is something I define by feel, not sight.

I'd even take a heavy over a med-hvy to worm fish... because I think the lighter rod dampens more.

keith

thinking about what you just said , that makes a whole lot of sense ! good post .......  

[SimonSays]

I feel MH can cover a wider range, I can toss 1/8th to 1oz lures with a MH.

[Pigsticker]

WOW great response Flechero!

I beleive the reason for all the MH actions is rod companies catering to the everyday angler that throws a lot of the everyday sized stuff stuff. Spinnerbaits, jigs,worms, buzzbaits etc.

I guess a lot of anglers want a rod that can throw a lot of stuff so they do not have to spend as much, a guy that I fish with has almost all MH rated rods just because of the versatility :

[Raul]

Sensitivity, interesting subject, what we all call "sensitvity" are actually the physical properties of the material from which the rod is made that allows it to transmit vibration, those can be measured, sensitivity is truely the capability of the NSC to detect the vibrations transmitted by the material, that capability is determined by many anatomical and physiological functions and those anatomical and physiological functions vary from one individual to another, in other words what you "feel" is completely different from what another person "feels".

The physical properties that alow the material of the blank to transmit vibration ( "sensitivity" ) are independent from the power ( ammount of energy required to bend the blank ).

[Catt]

Exactly what flechero & Raul said?

All of my rods are Medium Heavy Extra Fast; even my flipping stick  

[dodgeguy]

It would seem to me that with all of the talk about sensitvity that MH would effectively ( maybe only in a small way ) reduce sensitivity.

I would suggest the very opposite.

Regardless of what so many people think, sensitivity is completely independent of power. The power of the blank does not change the fiber's ability to transmit vibration. Many people think that a delicate tip, or just a lighter tip is more sensitive because they can see it move... that's not sensitivity, just a weaker tip. If you just go by the function of the blank's taper- I would argue that the heavier power rod is actually more sensitive since it is less likely to dampen vibration in the tip.

When you feel something and are unsure of what you feel... one of those times when you can't tell if it's a very subtle bite or brush- what do you do? Do you look at the tip or close your eyes and feel? A lighter rod may "show" movement with no transmission of vibration.

Sensitivity in a rod is something I define by feel, not sight.

I'd even take a heavy over a med-hvy to worm fish... because I think the lighter rod dampens more.

keith

i agree with this %100!!!

[sal669]

Interestingly, none of you guys emphasyses the importance of ROD ACTION as decisive factor in how sensitive a rod actualy is.

The Faster the action, the more sensitive the rod becomes ; power and all components being the same. For example : a med power rod with an extra fast taper/action will be more sensitive than a med power rod built on a moderate taper/action rod (both made of the same composition/graphite with the same handles and guides.

Two rods with the same action should have the same degree of sensitivity (or very close). It is difficult to manufacture large quantities of perfectly identical rod blanks. The high end rods come very close, but of course at a higher price tag. If you compare a couple of identicaly rated rods in the low or mid price range you will notice slight differences between them as to how much will they bend into the blank under a certain ammount of presure.

My opinion is that a med power rod can be as sensitive as a MH power rod if they have the same action, and a med power rod with an extra-fast actio will be way more sensitive than a med-heavy with a parabolic action.

Just my $.02

[The Rooster]

You guys are starting to make me regret my choice of MH with fast tip.  Maybe I should have gotten XF for tip action.  I got the slower one cause I thought it would help me load the rod a little more to make throwing the lighter baits easier.  3/8 sizes anyway.  I was even hoping to get to throw a 1/4 occassionally??  

Hmmm.....something to think about now, especially since I want one more rod and haven't yet decided on the power and action for sure.

[roadwarrior]

Great thread!

Another consideration is the line you fish. Since the vast majority

of my fishhing is on structure in open water, I have a strong

preference for smaller diameter lines with low visibility. A Medium

Power rod is a much better fit for me when fishing soft plastics.

8-)

[fishfordollars]

Exactly what flechero & Raul said?

All of my rods are Medium Heavy Extra Fast; even my flipping stick

X2

[fish-fighting-illini]

 Thanks everyone. I understand that my theory was off base. It will take a while for it to completely sink in but I follow what you are saying.

 Like RW said "great thread" not because I thought of it of course but because of all of you more advanced fisherman who answered the post.

 Thanks everyone

[Certified Public Angler]

I bought a MH/F rod because I just got into fishing and it's my only quality combo.  Like others said it gives me the opportunity to throw a wide range of baits and I'm sure as I become more obsessed I'll fall into this specific application addiction...that will be expensive  

Also I am more worried about sticking the fish then the sensitivity.  Maybe another $200 added to my rod and I'll feel fish chewing on it all day that I never noticed, but for some reason i doubt it.  I just wanted to be able to drive that hook and not miss a bite because I didn't have enough power.

Someone on here used to say never sacrifice power for sensitivity.