We realize that trying to find the perfect setup in today's world is a daunting task. The guide below will give you a basic outline of how rods are made, and the different purposes they are suited for.
Action
Action refers to the bend of the rod when pressure is applied, and the speed that the rod returns to its neutral straight position. The material and method of construction in a rod affects its action making it slow, medium, fast or a combination.
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Depending on the planned use for the rod, one action will be preferred over the others.
- For Example, a Crankbait rod is ideal when the rod has the ability to load up during retrieve and casting. This gives the bass a little more time to inhale the bait before hookset, ensuring that you don't rip the bait away. The flexibility of the rod also allows for a further cast with more control. For this, you would want to look at a rod with a Moderate to Moderate-Fast action.
Recommended actions for common bait types
| Jerkbaits | Jigs | Soft plastics | |||
| Shallow/medium diving | Fast | Flipping/Casting | Fast | Texas Rig | Fast |
| Deep Diving | Fast | Swim Jigs | Fast | Carolina Rig | Fast |
| Crankbaits | Football Jigs | Fast | Weightless | Fast | |
| Lipless | Mod-Fast | Frogs | Wacky Rig | Fast | |
| Squarebill | Mod-Fast | Hollow Body | Fast | Tubes | Fast |
| Medium diving | Mod-Fast | Soft Plastic | Fast | Flipping | Fast |
| Deep Diving | Mod-Fast | Finesse Rigs | Swinging Jig head | Fast | |
| Bladed Baits | Drop Shot | Fast | Topwater | ||
| Buzzbaits | Fast | Ned Rigs | Fast | Poppers | Fast |
| Spinnerbaits | Fast | Shakey Head | Fast | Chuggers | Fast |
| Chatterbaits | Fast | Swimbaits | Walking | Fast | |
| Underspins | Fast | Small Swimbaits | Fast | Propbaits | Fast |
| Medium Swimbaits | Fast | Wakebaits | Fast | ||
| Large Swimbaits | Fast | ||||
Power
Power rates the amount of pressure needed to bend the rod at its action rating. Power ratings are ultra-light, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, and heavy. Power ratings correspond to the rod’s line and lure ratings. Beginners can select the right power by the general size of fish they target.
- Ultra-Light and Light: lighter tackle and smaller lures for Panfish and Trout.
- Medium and Medium Heavy: common lures and rigs sized typically for Bass and Walleye.
- Heavy and Extra Heavy: larger lures and rigs for big Bass, Pike and Catfish.
How do I know which power I will need?
First, you should plan out what you hope to throw with the rod, once you have done that, consider the Action mentioned above. Once you have it narrowed down to a series, you will begin to take the size of lure into consideration. The best and easiest way to figure out which power you need would be to reference the chart on each rod page. We provide the optimal lure size for each of the powers in the “Lure weight” column of the chart to make it quick and easy to figure out which one is right for you.
