[617110]

Capt. Neil and others,

Could any of you explain to me exactly what the meaning of a rod tip is (ie: medium action, fast action, etc.) I just purchased a nice St. Croix model # SWC60MF in lay man terms SaltWater Casting, 6ft, Medium power, Fast action! Medium power I assume is refering to the backbone of the rod. Am I wrong about this? Fast Action still has me confused. On the "Ask the Pro's" board (Capt. Neils mono line post)EC is saying something that when fishing fast action tips you need to be careful b/c you can loose the fish. I lost 2 bass this morning and caught one bass this morning. Don't know if it was the rod or me. Let me rephrase that I know I lost the fish but I hope it was due to the new experience of a newer composite rod. Anyway I intend to use this rod for stipers (eels/chunks/clams) it hold up to 30lb test. I use mono for Bassing. Your thoughts and opinions please.

Thanks,

somoan

 

[Captneilf]

Hi somoan,

Many folks get misled and confused by some ads etc. They confuse "action" and "power". Throw in "taper" also.

When thinking "action" look at how the rod flexs/bends.

Extra fast=upper 1/4 of the blank bends

Fast=upper 1/3 of blank bends

Moderate=upper 1/2 of blank bends

Slow=think of a parabolic curve. The whole blank bends, slowly at butt end, faster at tip end.

"ACTION" is determined by at what point the blank bends.

"POWER" deals with lifting ability.

I will try NOT to confuse anyone. We now get into what determines "ACTION" and "POWER". "TAPER"


I an copying this from ADVANCED CUSTOM ROD BUILDING.

The amount of material composing the wall of the blank at any given point determines its stiffness at that point, and therefore the overall action. This is achieved by cutting the cloth or tape into patterns of different shapes.

A straight taper has an even progression of additional fiber added to the wall of the blank from tip to butt. In its purest form, a straight-tapered blank will have a slow to medium action with flexing occurring progressively over all or almost all of its length.

A compound taper is one in which there is at least one change in the angle along the side opposite the straight side of the pattern. The taper changes along the length of the blank. If a fast action blank were being made, the pattern would have comparatively less material in the top third. At that point the pattern would widen rapidly to provide more stiffness over the remaining length of the blank.



Sooooooooo, there you have it. I hope I have helped. Any questions and I will do my best to get you the correct answers.

Capt Neil

 

[617110]

Thanks Capt. Neil,

As far as lifting power goes, that means I am just going to have a better fight with the fish right. How about hook setting capabilities? Does action and power play a role there? It seemed today that after I experienced that "thumpity thump thump"and a little run and tried to drive the hook home there was not much "Ummf" behind my hookset. I could usually lay into them. Maybe I just have to get used to his new rod.

By the way I still look forward to trying one of yours out in a couple of weeks. You had some really nice rods at the bass seminar.

Anyway let me know what you think if you don't mind.

Thanks again,

Brian

 

[Captneilf]

Hi somoan,

Just looked up your new rod in the St Croix blank catalog. They have a cross ref table.

If i looked at the right blank it has a #9 tip top and a butt under 3/4". A very nice rod. Is it possible that the hook wasn't in a good place for setting it? How much did the rod bend, especially in the mid section? Did the rod feel too soft to set the hook? Too many variables.

The more lifting power (stiffer blank) the more you can control the fish while fighting it. Just like a tractor pull, the more horsepower the easier it should be to pull the load.

Some times too stiff a rod will pull the hook out of a fish.

For bass fishing, do you use circle hooks? It takes a little doing not to set the hook BUT the hook up ratio is better and very few gut hook jobs when using clam bellies.

I would be delighted if you tried out the demos. Give a call in advance to set up a time. (631) 567-8049

Capt Neil

 

[617110]

Circle hooks

I do use them but today I didn't have them. My Bad! I was using Gamakatsu 8/0 Octopus. I set the hook I know..., I was fighting the fish. It was a bass, the line turned into the current, steady speed, and smooth. Not crazy and eratic like a bluefish. All of a sudden gone. I was upset to say the least b/c it felt heavy + or - 20lbs. No monster but a good sized fish. Comparable to what I saw a few others pulling up. The worst part of it is when the audience from other boats sees your line go limp. I was looking for a hole to crawl in as I cursed myself under my breath.

Do you think this rod will handle a 40lb fish should I ever hook into one?

The guy I was fishing with today kept on telling me it was too lite. I don't know. The shop that I bought it at said yes, I do believe them. After all I spend a good deal of money there and they want to keep a good customer right? Main reason why I purchased it was because my other one is really beefy. It gets uncomfortable to hold sometimes. But it's excellent when I need 8oz led to get down.

Thanks for all your help and you will be hearing from me soon about a custom job.

Brian

 

[Captneilf]

Somoan,

You probably did everything right. Think about this!! If some of the fish didn't escape we would run out of fish. Sometimes the escapees become giants!! If they keep their mouths closed around hooks.

Without seeing your rod I would say that it will catch big fish. Just might take alittle longer and give you more pleasure in the process.

Capt Neil