Apologies if this has been discussed but I didn’t find anything when I searched.  
 

Suppose you have two of the same rods just different models, say a 7’1” MF NRX and a 7’6” HF NRX (not a real problem I have I assure you) and you used the same reel, line, everything - as well as the same technique.  Will one rod be more sensitive because of the rod stiffness or lack thereof?  What about rod length?

 

I know the difference may be minimal but hey, it’s winter and cold, so why not discuss.

Sensitivity cannot be objectively measured, so we all can have opinions that cannot be dis-proven. Most knowledgeable people agree, however, that weight is the enemy of sensitivity, that the best sensitivity comes from the lightest rod.  So that leads to the high modulus blank materials, often very costly, often argued to be fragile, but also argued to be very sensitive.  Action and power, in my opinion, are moot.  It's about the material the blank is made from, the design of the blank (stuff at which you and I will never be expert), and the weight of the guides and wraps.  Lighter is better.  This might lead to the conclusion that the lower power rod, which can be made lighter, would be more sensitive.  Might.

 

You have presented two blanks of different lengths and weights (I assume their weights are not the same, but I don't know).  I would guess that the lighter is the more sensitive one.  Who can prove me wrong?  I know you are out there and will try.  :-)

Makes sense... it is all pontificating for me as I know I cannot tell in any real world way.  
 

i was most curious if a exact identical rod of the stiffer tip or longer length would make any difference.

I agree sensitivity is subjective and unmeasurable how each angler interprets lure feedback the question is comparing apples to apples using rod length and power differences.

The hypothetical issues are somewhat reduced using the same rod brand and model.

NRX rods are not the lightest or the highest modulus blanks on the bass fishing market. They were at one point in time the most expensive OTC and considered by the majority of bass anglers the gold standard in lure feedback sensitivity.

I use light weight higher power rods with fast action for jig & worms because in my hands higher power feels good.   

Longer length however tends to reduce lure feedback and prefer 6’10” for optimum performance. 

Tom

 

46 minutes ago, Msl819 said:

i was most curious if a exact identical rod of the stiffer tip or longer length would make any difference.

I don't know.  Seems like stiffer tip, all else equal, would transmit something from the line better.  Maybe.  Longer length, less transmission.  Maybe.  You got it, I'm not committing.  But. . .

Depends on who is holding the rod! ?

I don't claim to be much of a stick, but IMO an x-fast is the most sensitive rod in my hands when all others are equal. I would love for Shimano to make a 7'0 - 7'2 MH or H x-fast Expride. I have two pf the 7'2 MH f, a 7'2 H f and a 7'3 XH f and I love them, but I have a 7' MH xf Curado and I have become a huge fan of it and I know the blank isn't nearly as good as the Expride.

 

All of this may stem from an old Crucial rod I had that was a 6'10 MH xf and it was a fishing machine. All my crazy ideas could be attributed to that rod.

Any good walleye angler knows the shorter one will transmit better...

26 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Any good walleye angler knows the shorter one will transmit better...

 

That's where I'm at. Given everything the same (model, rod/reel/line, etc.) as stated except length and power (only 1 step apart), shorter should be more sensitive. It sure seems to be the case with my spinning arsenal where I have similar sameness/differentness. I'd take shorter every time if sensitivity was the only deciding factor. 

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

All my crazy ideas could be attributed to that rod.

 

   I wish that all my crazy ideas were easily attributed to something that simple!  ?    jj

This really is a trick question. I do believe that the same rod but in a shorter length will almost always be more sensitive as it puts the tip closer to your hands. I think we all agree on that.

 

I would say that if you could fish the same bait on two rods, you'll feel many bites first on the lighter powered rod first as long as it has relatively the same amount of tip to it as on the heavier rod, you may hardly feel a bite but on the lighter rod you may feel a very noticeably thunk but that doesn't mean the lighter rod will transmit vibrations any better or worse and thus the slightest nibbles may or may not be different.

Stiffer rods and shorter rods are said to have more sensitivity - possibly because of a higher resonate frequency.

How do you think a rod vibrates attenuating frequencies ?

Tom