Picking out a new fishing rod can seem like a daunting task. Understanding the roles length, power, and action play in each rod makes the process easy. The information below can help determine which rod is best suited for your needs.
Picking out a new fishing rod can seem like a daunting task. Understanding the roles length, power, and action play in each rod makes the process easy. The information below can help determine which rod is best suited for your needs.
LENGTH
POWER
ACTION
THE TOTAL MEASUREMENT FROM END TO END
THE BACKBONE OF THE ROD
WHERE THE ROD START'S TO BEND WHEN ROCE IS APPLIED
INSHORE ROD LENGTH
The length of a fishing rod is the total measurement from end to end.
Shorter rods lend themselves to fishing closer to the boat or bank as they are ideal for shorter, more accurate casts.
Longer rods are ideal for making longer casts and adding leverage when setting the hook from farther away. Increased length can also allow a rod to incorporate more power without compromising sensitivity.
INSHORE ROD POWER
A rod’s power is determined by the amount of force it takes to flex or bend the rod, often referred to as “backbone.” Power ranges from light to heavy, with lighter rods needing the least amount of force to flex and heavier rods needing the most.
Power also helps determine what is used on the rod like lure weight and line size. Lighter rods are typically best paired with lighter line and tackle, whereas heavier rods are better suited for heavier line and tackle.
The same general rule can also be applied to fish size, with heavy rods being better equipped to fight larger and stronger fish, and vice versa. Medium power rods fall in the middle of this spectrum.
INSHORE ROD ACTION
The action of a rod is based on where the rod starts to bend when pressure is applied.
Faster rods bend closer to the tip and slower rods bend closer to the butt.
A fast action rod will typically have more sensitivity and higher casting accuracy. This could be preferred for baits that need a quicker hook set like jigs or bottom rigs.
Slower action rods can be beneficial when using baits like topwater lures or live baits that require slower hook sets to allow the fish to load up on the rod.
Moderate action rods fall in the middle of this spectrum.
INSHORE ROD LENGTH
The length of a fishing rod is the total measurement from end to end.
Shorter rods lend themselves to fishing closer to the boat or bank as they are ideal for shorter, more accurate casts.
Longer rods are ideal for making longer casts and adding leverage when setting the hook from farther away. Increased length can also allow a rod to incorporate more power without compromising sensitivity.
INSHORE ROD POWER
A rod’s power is determined by the amount of force it takes to flex or bend the rod, often referred to as “backbone.” Power ranges from light to heavy, with lighter rods needing the least amount of force to flex and heavier rods needing the most.
Power also helps determine what is used on the rod like lure weight and line size. Lighter rods are typically best paired with lighter line and tackle, whereas heavier rods are better suited for heavier line and tackle.
The same general rule can also be applied to fish size, with heavy rods being better equipped to fight larger and stronger fish, and vice versa. Medium power rods fall in the middle of this spectrum.
INSHORE ROD ACTION
The action of a rod is based on where the rod starts to bend when pressure is applied.
Faster rods bend closer to the tip and slower rods bend closer to the butt.
A fast action rod will typically have more sensitivity and higher casting accuracy. This could be preferred for baits that need a quicker hook set like jigs or bottom rigs.
Slower action rods can be beneficial when using baits like topwater lures or live baits that require slower hook sets to allow the fish to load up on the rod.
Moderate action rods fall in the middle of this spectrum.