IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
Informative articles to help you better understand and utilize the Tools of the Trade

"Back to Basic's" Vol. 2
Choosing the correct Rod for the application

In this month’s “Back to Basic’s” we will cover rods and the difference between “Action” and “Power”, and "Length" to help you determine which rod to use during your next outing. These are general guidelines that I use to help me perform better and catch more fish.

ACTION:
The action of your rod is how much the blank flexes from the tip towards the butt section. Most rods are rated from slow to extra fast action. The slower the action the more flex throughout the blank where an extra fast action flexes nearer to the tip. Rod action is one aspect that I would say is most over looked yet very important when matching your bait and application. What makes the action so important is how it will effect your casting accuracy and the action of certain baits. With faster action rods you tend to lose casting distance but they are more accurate. Slower action rods increase your casting distance but you end up sacrificing accuracy. The same goes for bait action, faster action tips decrease bait action while slower action tips increase bait action.

Rick’s Applications:

• Medium Fast Action
  Crankbaits – allows the bait to have more side to side action
  Top water baits – lets the fish load up the rod
• Fast Action
  Pitching / Flipping – enough action in the tip to project the bait
  Casting – jigs, Carolina-rig
  Frogs – a fast tip will allow you to cast the frog to the back of the thick stuff
• Extra Fast Action
  Spinnerbaits – accurate when targeting objects
  Spot Remover / Drop Shot – spinning rod, better hook setting with a lifting motion

Rick’s Reminders:

• Slower action for distance and bait action
• Faster action for accuracy

POWER:
The power of your rod will determine how much lifting or resistance to flex you have in your rod. Most rods are rated from light to extra heavy power. Lighter power rods will bend more where extra heavy rods bend very little. Rod power is the most common way anglers choose their rod. Rod power becomes most important when fighting fish in different types of cover and with different types of baits. Lighter power rods will help when using bulky baits with lots of treble hooks where the fish has leverage to throw the bait. A lighter power rod will help to keep the loaded on the bait. Heavier power rods help you turn fish out of thick cover.

Rick’s Applications:

• Medium Light Power
  Crankbaits – small shallow running
• Medium Power
  Crankbaits – small to medium, helps increase the wobble and better for fighting bulky treble hook baits
  Spinnerbaits – 1/4 to 3/8 ounce
  Top Water – Poppers, Super Spook Jr., allows for better “walking the dog” action
  Spot Remover / Drop Shot – spinning rod
• Medium Heavy Power
  Crankbaits - small deep diving
  Spinnerbaits – 3/8 to 1/2 ounce
  Top Water – Large poppers and Zara Spooks
• Heavy Power
  Crankbaits – large deep diving
  Carolina Rig – hook setting power
  Jigs / Texas Rig – allows you to turn the fish out of cover quicker
• Extra Heavy Power
  Flipping – allows you to muscle the fish up through thick matted cover

Rick’s Reminders:

• Lighter powers make it more difficult to move fish out of heavy cover
• Lighter powers give you more leverage with big bulky treble hook baits that are easy to throw
• Heavier powers give you more fish turning ability

LENGTH:
Rods come in a verity of lengths mostly in the range of 5’-6” to 7’-11”. The most important choice for rod length is for casting. Shorter rods will help with casting accuracy where longer rods will help with casting distance. Angler height plays an important part in choosing the correct rod length also. Don’t think that you have a to have a long rod. Shorter anglers should use shorter rods. With the increase in rod selections, it has become easier to find shorter rods with plenty of power for turning fish out of heavy cover.

Rick’s Applications:

• 6’-6” Length
  Crankbaits – targeting docks and shoreline wood
  Spinnerbaits – same as above
  Top Water – same as above
  Note: I use shorter rods when accuracy is very important
• 7’-0” Length
  Crankbaits – medium divers
  Spinnerbaits – open water burning
  Top Water – open water
  Spot Remover / Drop Shot
• 7’-6” Length
  Crankbaits – deep diving
  Carolina Rig – longer sweep during the hook set
  Pitching / Flipping

Rick’s Reminders:

• I stand at just over 6 feet so a longer rod is easier to handle when pitching and flipping
• Shorter rods make it easier to make accurate casts
• Longer rods generally allow you to play out fish better

I hope you have found this month’s “Back to Basic’s” informative and it helps you to increase your catch! For more information on the rods offered by G-Loomis, please visit www.gloomis.com . If you are interested in a particular topic, send a request to rick@ricktilson.com . Check back next month for another informative “Back to Basic’s”.

Copyright© Rick Tilson. All Rights Reserved
Images provided courtesy of G-Loomis.