There are a lot of factors to consider when contemplating a fishing rod selection, or thinking about having a custom rod buiIt for you. I recommend doing a lot of research before spending the money. You’ll end up with a rod that better suits your fishing need.
One of the biggest points of confusion I see is not understanding the difference between power and action. It’s not entirely the angler’s fault that they don’t understand the difference. A lot of rod manufacturers contribute to the confusion by the way they label their products. Knowing the difference is going to make your fishing rod, or your fishing blank selection better serve your particular need.
Action refers to where along the length of the blank the bend begins under a load. A rod that has all the bend in the top 25% of its length is referred to as extra fast. The top third would be fast, and the bend beginning in the top half would be considered a moderate action. A rod that bends way down the blank, in the bottom third, is called a slow action. This illustration should help you understand this concept.
Power, on the other hand, refers to how much load it takes to accomplish the bend that the action allows. Power is usually described in terms like ultralight, light, medium, medium heavy, or heavy. It is possible to have a light power and a heavy power rod that both have fast or slow actions. A medium heavy power rod with a moderate action and a medium power rod with the same action might both be good rods for throwing crankbaits, but the medium heavy rod will perform better with big baits, and with big fish.
These distinctions are critical when deciding on a new fishing rod. If you need help with your decision, email me or call me at 704-894-9729, and I will be glad to help you through the choices.
