Rod action and applications

[Dam Yankee]

I have only been fishin for Bass for 3 years now. I don't know what I am looking for when I buy a rod or which rod works best with what bait. I have been buying allstar rods that say what they are for.

I can't seem to find anything that explains what rod you should be using for what and why. Any explanations or pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated

Thanks,

Tom

[BASSclary]

There is no set in stone rod for certain techniques just preferences. Some people may like a M-XF rod for worms, while others like a MF-F.

[Raul]

If you can purchase technique/lure specific rods I 'll be the first one to tell you: go ahead ! but if you can 't or are not willing to then one action: Fast ; different powers, you play along with the power rating to make the rod behave more like if it had different action for the different baits/techniques.

For example a treble hook bait like a crank in theory should be fished with a Moderate action rod, the rod acts as a shock absorber, but that same rod would not be the ideal for fishing baits like jigs or worms, it 's too slow and since it bends a lot a big part of the energy you apply to the rod to set the hook is lost beacuse instead of being transfered to the hook point it 's used to bend the rod, the result is poor hooksets ( not enough energy ) and delayed hooksets.

My solution ( and been doing it for years ) is to have one action and several rods with different power to fish the various lures/techniques:

This is how I roll

Single hook baits ( spinnerbaits, jigs, worms ) ---> MH/H Fast action

Treble hook baits ( cranks, topwaters ) ---> ML/ M Fast action

Finesse baits/techniques ---> L/ML/M Fast action

[Grey Wolf]

Click on FISHING ARTICLES in the top left hand corner and scroll down to "ROD CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT TO TECHNIQUE AND PRESENTATION."

You should get a good understanding of what you want to know.

[Dam Yankee]

Thank you for the responses and I appreciate the help. I will take all the advice I can get and check out the link you referred to.

[Glenn]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] Glenn.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The article suggested is a good one. Keep in mind that a rod may excel in a particular bait or technique application and still be fine for other uses. Labeling rods for specific techniques is largely marketing. You'll be way better off researching and gaining some understanding of rod characteristics and applying them correctly. The other difficult part is that there are no official standards for rod makers to adhere to. One company's Med Hvy can be lighter or heavier than others for example. That's where the experience of the forum members comes in handy. If you're looking at a particular model, someone here's probably fished it. If you have any specific questions post them. Feel free to PM, email or call too

[Dam Yankee]

That is great information. Had to read it a couple times. Now that I understand the concept of power and action, it takes the mystery out if it for me.

Most of my decision making has been associated with how well I can cast it. (probably a typical rookie misake) I just figured out I have been throwing a stanley ribbit frog with an expandable berkley rod that is meant for a jig and pitching. I can throw that thing a good ways with 50# spider wire and I seem to get a good hookset ratio provided I let em take it for a second. I guess that is where the personal preference comes in.

I have 5 allstars labeled for a specific use cause the price is absorbable and they are not too heavy.

1 labeled Carolina rig 7'

2 labeled worm 6 1/2'

1 labeled topwater special 6 1/2

1 labeled crankin stick 6 1/2

1 ugly stik lite MH/F 6 1/2

and the berkley I described.

I am going to do some experimenting with this new information on the Bend this 4 day weekend.

[roadwarrior]

This might help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

8-)

[Dam Yankee]

Very good info RW. Looks as though I hit the information jackpot on this topic.