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Which All Pro Rod is Right for Me?

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Generally speaking, rods are chosen for specific applications. They vary in length, weight, flexibility or action, strength or power, balance, composition, performance, and components. They also differ in color, esthetics, and quality of construction. Personal preferences play a big role, of course, but each model in All Pro Rod’s lineup was developed with a certain class of lure, line, and technique in mind, so it will pay off to understand how to select the right rod for your intended use.

Two terms that often cause confusion are a fishing rod’s action and power rating.

Fishing Rod Action

Action refers to how much of a rod flexes or bends when the tip is pressed down and how fast a fully-loaded rod straightens back up when the pressure is released. Action is determined by the blank’s dimensions, thickness, material, and taper. Rods that bend close to the tip and snap back to a neutral position quickly are said to have fast action, while rods that bend far down the length are referred to as slow action. These ratings are often subdivided into Extra-Fast, Fast, Medium (Moderate), and Slow actions. Each has its pros and cons.

Action can affect casting accuracy and distance. Anglers who switch between rods find it takes a few casts to adjust. Slow action rods flex farther on the back-cast so lures cast farther with less effort than with fast-action rods. Many anglers consider fast-action rods to be more sensitive and responsive; the slower the action, the farther one must move the rod to exert hook-setting force.

Slow action rods bend almost all the way to the reel seat. That can be an advantage when fighting big fish that go berserk right beside the boat, especially with light lines. And you can cast them into the next county. Just keep in mind that as whippy as they are, you’re going to miss a few subtle pickups and won’t have much hook-setting power when much line is out.

Medium action rods bend down to about the middle. Because they flex so well, they’re good for casting small lures long distances and for lobbing live bait without flinging them off the hook.

Fast action rods bend only in the last third of their length. They offer greater casting distance and better accuracy than extra-fast rods, and they still have plenty of “feel” and stiffness for superior hook-sets and horsing fishing out of the thick stuff.

Extra-Fast action rods bend only at the top 15-20% of their length. They’re said to have “more backbone and are preferred for pulling fish from heavy cover and grass mats on lakes like Guntersville, Kentucky, and Okeechobee. They’re great for in-close fishing, where the reduction in casting distance and accuracy usually isn’t much of a concern. They’re well-suited for pitching and flipping. The sensitivity and short hook-setting sweep make them the rod of choice for fishing heavy jigs, big Texas-rigged worms, and Carolina-rigging.

How to check a rod’s action

On way to check the action of the rod is to touch the end of a fishing rod to the floor with the guides facing upwards, then firmly grasp and raise the butt of the rod. applying gradual pressure until the rod “loads up.” Be careful not to bear down too hard; it’s possible to snap a rod if you really put your weight into it.

Fishing Rod Power

Fishing rod power or rod weight refers to the amount of pressure or weight it takes to flex the rod. Anglers often select a rod of a certain power rating based on their intended line test and lure weight. The heavier the line and lure, the heavier the power must be for the rod to handle it efficiently. All Pro Rods prints each rod’s line and lure limit on the blank. While it’s possible to use heavier or lighter line and lures than recommended, doing so will result in decreased performance, and using heavier-than-recommended lines and lures may contribute to premature rod failure.

Here are the line and lure limits recommended for various All Pro Rods power ratings:

Power Line Rating Lure Weight Light 2 to 6 lb test 1/32 – 1/4 oz Medium/Light 6 to 12 lb test 1/4 – 5/8 oz Medium 6 to 12 lb test 3/16 – 1 oz Medium/Heavy 8 to 15 lb test 3/16 – 1-1/4 oz Heavy 15 to 30 lb test 1/4 – 1-1/2 oz Xtra Heavy 12 to 25 lb test 5/8 – 2 oz Xtra/Xtra Heavy 15 to 30 lb test 3/4 – 2 oz

Click to learn more about All Pro Rods.

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