I'm curious as to the specific benefit of the Fast Taper action? I have a Lew's Mach1 Speed Stick combo that I've owned for about 3 years. It's an IM8 rod that's MH Fast Taper 7'3" 7.5:1 ratio. What's the benefit of the fast taper over the regular taper? 

Start here: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/balanced-gear-bass.html

 

 

The faster the action, the stiffer the tip

The slower the action, the softer the tip

 

FASTER TIP

> Greater Sensitivity       Finesse retrieves - Non-crank intervals

> Quicker spine access    Hauling fish quickly out of cover

> Quicker Hook-set         Mat-punching, Flipping ~

 

SLOWER TIP

> Longer casting distance (more blank-loading)

> Reduced line-slack when fighting  

> Reduced tear-offs when fighting    

 

Roger

Thanks for the reply RoLo. I understand the difference between the actions. I was asking what the benefit of the fast taper is. The rod is shaped differently than all the rest of my MH Fast rods.

3 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

The faster the action, the stiffer the tip.

In brief, a 'Fast' or 'Extra-Fast' action offers quick-access to the blank’s spine.

> Higher Sensitivity

> Quicker Hook-set  (e.g. mat-punching)

 

The slower the action, the softer the tip.

> A slower tip favors longer casting distance (more tip load)

> It also offers better tear-off prevention and line-slack prevention

 

Roger

 

35 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Start here: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/balanced-gear-bass.html

 

Thanks!

36 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Start here: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/balanced-gear-bass.html

 

Thanks! This doesn't cover what I'm asking unfortunately. I've already visited that page

 

The benefits are in the application.  A fast rod is NOT always a benefit, like when throwing crankbaits, where a fast taper is a hindrance.  Your question is too general. 90% of bass fishing can be done with a fast taper.

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The benefits are in the application.  A fast rod is NOT always a benefit, like when throwing crankbaits, where a fast taper is a hindrance.  Your question is too general. 90% of bass fishing can be done with a fast taper.

Thanks, that actually helps... The taper on this rod is much more pronounced than any of my other rods which are mostly MH Fast, so I've been wondering for a couple of years why it's different than the others.

 

There's no standard to what is "fast," tho you can usually compare different tapers from the same model line.  It really diverges in the extra fast department.  Most of my rods are x-fast, btw.  It would help if you stated what baits you use, and hook styles, and anyone can explain what your gaining/losing.

 

This is a good chart on comparing tapers:

 

 

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

There's no standard to what is "fast," tho you can usually compare different tapers from the same model line.  It really diverges in the extra fast department.  Most of my rods are x-fast, btw.  It would help if you stated what baits you use, and hook styles, and anyone can explain what your gaining/losing.

 

This is a good chart on comparing tapers:

 

 

I generally use soft plastics in a t-rig, wacky, neko, or carolina configuration. I also throw hard crankbaits, swimbaits, spinners, lipless, spoons, frogs/topwater hardbaits etc.. Basically I throw everything 

All that can be thrown on a fast taper.  Frogs, T-rigs, topwaters I use x-fast.  Spoons, lipless, cranks, I use mod-fast.

On 8/11/2020 at 10:59 AM, Jxbro43 said:

Thanks, that actually helps... The taper on this rod is much more pronounced than any of my other rods which are mostly MH Fast, so I've been wondering for a couple of years why it's different than the others.

 

There are two philosophies when it comes to blank design: thin wall / large diameter and thick wall / small diameter. Neither is right or wrong just different ways to get the desired performance from a tubular blank. Don’t over think it.