Some anglers prefer a rod with faster or slower action, while others use
different actions for different techniques. Below is a general breakdown of what techniques each rod action is best for.
Fast Action: These rods have flexible tips that quickly taper to fairly stiff midsections and stiff butts. They are best for jigging, worming, flipping and fishing with some soft jerkbaits.
Medium Action: These rods have flexible tips, moderate midsections and stiff butts. They are good for spinnerbaits and small grubs. They also work for drop-shotting, jerkbaits and all-around fishing.
Slow Action: These rods are more flexible from the tip well into the midsection and have a powerful butt section. Slow-action rods are great for billed and lipless crankbaits and natural-bait fishing.
How to Test a Rod
Spinning Rods
Materials: Often a higher material (modulus) number (for example, IM8 versus IM6) indicates a stiffer and usually stronger rod. A higher modulus also results in faster dampening (stopping of rod vibration after the cast). The faster the dampening, the more accurate the casting potential. That's great for casting rods, but remember, not all rods are designed exclusively for casting. The resins that hold a blank's fibers together greatly affect rod strength,
action and sensitivity as well.
Construction: Blank-through-handle construction makes a rod stronger and amplifies vibrations, which helps an angler to detect strikes better.
Guides: Larger, heavier guides slow a rod's action and create "dead" spots. The latest trend is single-foot guides for the smaller guide rings toward the rod tip (less wrapping weight and deadening). For saltwater fishing, where knots must pass through tiptops, select larger-diameter rings. Smaller guides are also more susceptible to ice buildup
We put the newest rods and reels through a drag-testing, line-flipping, rod-bending casting contest. Here are the results.
May 1, 2002
American Premier
OCS66L-2
($39.95; 909-590-8160) Best For: Light fresh water Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 2-piece Materials: Medium-high-modulus graphite Guides: Titanium nitride Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 4 - 10 / 1/8 - 3/8
The American Premier spinning rod garnered mixed performance reviews ranging from average to excellent. Make no mistake, this is an ultralight rod that is best suited for small lures; in fact, it should be able to lob a small artificial lure a country mile.
Bass Pro Shops Ocean Master Travel OMT6S
($99.99; 417-873-5000) Best For: Salmon, bonefish, light salt water, medium fresh water Length/Pieces: 7 ft. / 3-piece Materials: IM6 (40 million mod) Guides: Fuji Alconite Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 12 / 1/4 - 5/8
This three-piece travel rod surprised one of our team members, who thought it would be heavier given the multiple sections. The rod's long handle design calls for two-handed casting, and distance casts were judged to be less accurate than medium and closer casts.
Cabela's Whuppin' Stick WSSM 702
($19.99; 800-237-4444) Best For: General fresh water Length/Pieces: 7 ft. / 2-piece Materials: Fiberglass Guides: Aluminum oxide, stainless-steel guide frames
Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 15 / 1/8 - 5/8
If you're looking for an inexpensive rod-one that can take abuse-for a young or casual angler, you need to check out Cabela's Whuppin' Stick. It can take rough treatment and can be used to land mid-sized catfish, panfish, bass or pike.
Daiwa Procyon PC661MFS
($54.95; 562-802-9589) Best For: General bass, walleye fishing Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: IM7 graphite, matte finish Guides: Fuji New Concept aluminum oxide Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 14 / 1/8 - 3/4
This model was heavy, both in hand and in the tip. On the up side, it scored favorably in price and for its control of jigs and soft-plastics. This rod got high marks for casting accuracy.
Fenwick HMX S66M
($69.95; 877-336-7637) Best For: Medium-light general fresh water Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: Medium-modulus graphite Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 15 / 1/4 - 3/4
The Fenwick HMX S66M spinning rod was judged to be "not particularly attractive." But the model brought cheers for being one of the best casters, especially for long-distance casting with lures like in-line spinners. Overall, this is a good generalist's rod in an age of specialization.
G. Loomis Greenwater GWR782S
($175; 800-662-8818) Best For: Small live bait, soft-plastics, jigs Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: Mid-range modulus Guides: Fuji Alconite Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 12 / 1/4 - 5/8
This rod is from a series that's designed for nearshore saltwater fishing. It was designed primarily to enable an angler to be able to cast small live baits without throwing them off, and as such is softer than most bass/walleye anglers prefer. One tester said he thought the rod was overpriced. Another called the model "an entry level rod from a maker of acclaimed high-end rods." However, some of the team members gave the Greenwater extremely high marks for casting distance and accuracy.
Pflueger Trion SP4766-2M
($49.99; 888-281-2278) Best For: Medium fresh water Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 2-piece Materials: IM8 graphite with Kevlar braid Guides: Fuji New Concept Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 12 / 1/8 - 1/2
This rod received high scores for its casting and price. Some thought the finish was a bit rough. And one tester said that the rod "looks like it was put together in a hurry."
Pinnacle SPX3661SPM
($89.99; 803-794-8521) Best For: Bass, walleyes, jigging, bottom-bouncing Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: High-modulus graphite Guides: Ultra-hard rainbow titanium-shielded SIC Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 8 - 17 / 1/8 - 1/2
The finish on the Pinnacle drew universal praise from all of our testers. Its casting was very accurate at all ranges and the butt power was just right for making serious hooksets.
Rapala Signature Series SE80SP67ML2
($100; 952-933-7060) Best For: Medium light bass/walleye rod Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 7 in. / 2-piece Materials: High-modulus graphite Guides: Fuji Alconite, New Guide Concept Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 12 / 1/8 - 1/4
We felt that this rod's action was lighter than its medium-light designation claimed. That said, the rod was thought to be excellent for all-around finesse techniques. It was pleasantly light. Most liked its looks, and one of our panel members summed things up with, "For a two-piecer, it's a keeper."
Rogue Spin Jig SJ664S
($139; 877-352-7624) Best For: General-purpose fast jig rod Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: High-modulus graphite Guides: Fuji Alconite Concept Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 10 - 20 / 1/4 - 3/4
Our entire team agreed that this rod is ideal for its stated purpose. There were many comments like: "This is a nice fast rod with some guts, but it's a little bit stiff in the midsection." One evaluator, however, thought that the rod was way overpriced.
Shimano Clarus CSS-66M-2
($59.99; 877-577-0600) Best For: Medium general fresh water Length/Pieces: 6 ft. 6 in. / 2-piece Materials: Standard-modulus graphite Guides: Fuji aluminum oxide Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 12 / 1/8 - 1/2
Here's another general-purpose rod that can handle a multitude of fishing methods. Its sensitivity is good and its butt has plenty of backbone for hooksetting and lifting. This rod's $60 price tag makes it a bargain.
LAMIGLAS TI 2000/IM700 TBS661 OL's Editor's Choice
($420; 360-225-9436) Best For: Bass, drop-shotting Length/Line: 6 ft. 6 in. / 1-piece Materials: Titanium/ IM7000 graphite Guides: Fuji Concept Line (lb.-test)/Lure (oz.): 6 - 17 / 1/4 - 5/8
This titanium/graphite model brought more impassioned comment than most. Accolades ranged from "This is a rod of rare quality," to "This rod is sharp, sensitive and has just the right tip action for drop-shotting." But it was also felt that the tip and midsection were slightly soft for the power titanium butt. However, the rod scored highest of any spin model.
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