So I want to ask a question to those of you who are critical thinkers.

 

What do you think justifies using a graphite, fast action rod for a technique? Are there techniques where most people seem to recommend using a fast action rod for where you instead utilize a rod with a more parabolic taper instead?

I use fast rods for cranks because I'd rather get a quick hookset in the lips than have them choke the bait like they often do with a moderate. I'll live with rare losses instead of tongue or gill hooking fish and killing them. I ride the spool while winding, thumb set the hook, then let light drag take over. As far as other techniques with a fast? I prefer the feedback I get compared to the muted feedback I get from a moderate. I rarely lose fish throwing chatterbaits and other single hook moving baits since I consciously relaxed my grip and improved my timing by remaining calm and slowing the moment down when I feel the hit.

There's very few heavy or extra heavy rods that I like that are fast, mod/fast seems to be the sweet spot for me. 

 

scott

Every Fast is different, I got a Steez that is MH Fast that is dynamite for jerks, small cranks, small topwaters, and then even shakeyheads and small t rigs/finesse jigs.

 

Got a couple GLX MH Fast rods that are my all purpose rods...not perfect for anything but TRigs, and 3/4oz and under jigs, but they work for everything especially when you use the line to add the amount of stretch/delay you need in the system.   

 

I got several other Fast rods, but the terms really is useless because every single rod is a law unto itself imho.   

fast?  maybe a relatively fast is best suited for bottom contact where you expect to have occasional moments of slack line.  like bouncing a football jig down a tiered bank, going over the random log or rock.   when i finally pick up the slack to drop the jig down the next obstacle, if a fish has my jig in it's mouth, i want to know about it ASAP.  then it is slama-jamma time.

 

maybe to me, Fast means the speed i get info to my brain from the end of my line, and less about how it bends.

I like fast for bottom contact, mod fast for moving baits. Fast rods tend to be more sensitive and better balanced than mod fast rods IME. XF are even more sensitive and better balanced, but they're niche rods for me.

Extra Fast: bottom contact 

Fast: everything else 

My Flippin Stick is old school, Castaway HG40 Bud Pruit, heavy power, parabolic action. It just has the right "feel", for that application.

I’ve owned several extra fast rods and sold them. They casted terribly. They were all higher end rods $250+ and very sensitive but something just felt “off”

For chunk and wind and roll casts down the bank, nothing beats a nice mod-fast action. They cast well, are accurate, and just require less effort throughout the day. 
 

Flipping, pitching, frogs, etc I do use fast action. It’s a good balance of sensitivity, responsiveness, and power. 
 

But all in all, I’ve learned not to get caught up in specs. Use the rods YOU LIKE and feel comfortable with. If you like throwing cranks on a fast action, do it. If you like pitching with a 7’6 heavy mod fast, do it. There’s no correct recipe. Confidence and being comfortable are understated.  We all feel different things with different equipment and luckily for us, lots of option exist. 

If the lure has a large single hook. I’m probably fishing fast or extra fast.

I like a Med power F for a whole lot of different things.  I like a F action for bottom contact, twitching or when im trying to bounce a bait off something.  I fish alot of lily pad fields before the pads come up.  I feel like a spongey rod doesnt alow the bait to deflect as well.  

On 5/18/2023 at 5:56 PM, T-Billy said:

I like fast for bottom contact, mod fast for moving baits. Fast rods tend to be more sensitive and better balanced than mod fast rods IME. XF are even more sensitive and better balanced, but they're niche rods for me.

I was going respond with this ~ Almost verbatim.

No need.

A-Jay

 

On 5/18/2023 at 9:26 PM, Catt said:

Extra Fast: bottom contact 

Fast: everything else 

Ditto

 

That said, some Fast action rods are almost like a Moderate regardless of what “action” the manufacturer labels it. 
 

I have no use for the so called moderate, slow or parabolic action rods. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

 

15 hours ago, Mike L said:

regardless of what “action” the manufacturer labels it. 

 

I believe the the length & that's about it.