Many anglers will incorrectly use the terms fishing rod action and power interchangeably.
Rod Action and rod power mean completely different things but they are inter-related in a small way.
Understanding what each does and how it will effect your decision as to what rod to use is important. Getting it wrong can result in an unsuitable rod to the type of fishing you are looking to do.
Getting it right means a more balanced setup that will give you the best casting performance for the size of lure that you are using.
Rod action and power refer to two different characteristics of a fishing rod.
Rod action refers to the flexibility of the rod and describes how much the rod bends or flexes when pressure is applied to the tip of the rod.
Rods can be classified as slow, medium, or fast action, with slow action rods bending more throughout the entire length of the rod, medium action rods bending mostly in the middle section, and fast action rods bending mostly at the tip.
Rod power, on the other hand, refers to the amount of force required to flex the rod. Rod power is typically described as light, medium, or heavy, with light power rods requiring less force to bend and heavy power rods requiring more force.
Both rod action and power are important factors to consider when choosing a fishing rod, as they can affect the sensitivity of the rod, the distance and accuracy of the cast, and the ability to handle different types and sizes of fish.
For example, a fast action rod with heavy power is better suited for fishing in deep water for larger fish, while a slow action rod with light power is better suited for casting small lures in shallow water.
Rod Action vs Power
The difference between fishing rod action and power is that rod action describes where on the rod blank the bend will start to form whereas power power is how heavy a lure the rod is rated for.
For example a fast action, heavy weighted rod would be suitable for larger lures that require some tip sensitivity, large jigs or frog lures for bass.
A moderate action rod with a medium/heavy weighting would be suitable for crankbaits as crankbaits don’t need such a sensitive tip action.
What is Rod Action?
Rod action, also known as rod taper or flex, is a term used to describe how a fishing rod bends and flexes when pressure is applied to it. It refers to the way the rod blank (the main shaft of the rod) responds to the force of the fish or the lure.
Rod action is an important factor to consider when choosing a fishing rod, as it affects the casting distance, accuracy, and sensitivity of the rod.
There are three main types of rod action:
- Fast action – A fast action rod is stiff at the bottom but flexible at the top. This means that most of the bend occurs in the upper third of the rod. Fast action rods are more sensitive and allow for longer casts, making them ideal for larger fish and lures.
- Medium action – A medium action rod bends more in the middle, making it more flexible than a fast action rod. Medium action rods are versatile and can handle a variety of fishing styles and techniques.
- Slow action – A slow action rod bends throughout its entire length, making it very flexible. Slow action rods are less sensitive but are ideal for fishing in smaller streams and for lighter fish.
The type of rod action you choose will depend on the fishing technique you plan to use and the species of fish you’re targeting. It’s important to choose a rod with the appropriate action to ensure a successful and enjoyable fishing experience.
Different rod action will perform in different ways and some of this performance will also depend on the power rating of the rod.
What is a Fast Action Rod?
A fast action rod is one where the natural bend in the rod blank starts high up in the top one third of the rod closest to the tip.
Fast action rods are designed for a quick hook set and in general will be a lot more sensitive when compared to a more moderate rod.
These rods are bet suited for lures that need a little bit of life added into them such as jigs. Any kind of single hook lure or bait rig will work best with a fast action as you can set the hook quickly and all have a lot more feel for when a fish may have bite on your hook.
They are also suited to small lures when the rod power rating is an ultralight or light.
Fast action rods will generally be made from graphite or a graphite blend as it is light and can bend quite a bit before snapping.
What is Rod Power?
Rod power, also known as rod strength, refers to the amount of force required to bend a fishing rod. It is determined by the thickness and density of the rod blank material and affects the rod’s ability to handle different sizes and species of fish.
Rod power is typically described as light, medium, or heavy, with additional classifications of ultralight, medium-heavy, and extra-heavy.
Here is a general breakdown of the different rod power categories:
- Ultralight – These rods are designed for catching small fish species and have the lightest power rating.
- Light – Light power rods are suitable for smaller fish species, such as trout or panfish.
- Medium – Medium power rods are versatile and can be used for a variety of fishing techniques, including freshwater and saltwater fishing.
- Medium-Heavy – These rods are best suited for larger freshwater species, such as bass or walleye, and smaller saltwater species.
- Heavy – Heavy power rods are designed for larger saltwater species, such as tuna or marlin, and freshwater species like musky or sturgeon.
- Extra-Heavy – These rods are the strongest and are used for the largest and most powerful fish species, such as sharks or swordfish.
Choosing the appropriate rod power is crucial for successfully catching fish. It’s important to match the power of your rod to the size and species of fish you’re targeting to avoid breaking the rod or losing the fish.