The Rods Taper.

[BigBurlyBass]

A moderate taper should be good for about everything right? And the fast and Xfast are more for Soft plastics?

[Jrob78]

I generally like a moderate or moderate fast action for moving baits like spinnerbaits and crankbaits. I like fast actions for bottom baits like t-rigs, c-rigs and jigs. I do use fast actions for hard jerkbaits and most topwaters. In fishing, there are no rules, everyone has different preferences.

[Tavery5]

When I hear moderate taper I generally think of Crankbait. In my opinion I think the Fast taper is more of a general purpose. Everyone has their own opinion. If your looking for a good all pupose rod, I would suggest a 7ft MH fast, pair it with a good quality 6.3:1 reel and you can fish just about anything other than very large, very light and very deep.

My .02

[Raul]

Not a rule but a suggestion:

Single hook baits ---> Fast/ Extra Fast

Treble hook baits ---> Moderate

If can´t or are not willing to have technique/bait specific rods you can have multipurpose rods by mainting the same action but with different power rating and play with the power rather than with the action.

Single hook baits ---> MH / H

Treble hook baits ---> ML / M

For years I´ve fished cranks with a Medium Fast rod and it has worked well, if I want/need to go light on the single hook baits I just cut away my crank from the medium power and then the rod becomes a finesse rod.

[Tavery5]

Originally Posted by Raul

Not a rule but a suggestion:

Single hook baits ---> Fast/ Extra Fast

Treble hook baits ---> Moderate

If can´t or are not willing to have technique/bait specific rods you can have multipurpose rods by mainting the same action but with different power rating and play with the power rather than with the action.

Single hook baits ---> MH / H

Treble hook baits ---> ML / M

For years I´ve fished cranks with a Medium Fast rod and it has worked well, if I want/need to go light on the single hook baits I just cut away my crank from the medium power and then the rod becomes a finesse rod.

Raul this is a very good point, you can also offset some of the differences by using line that has more or less stretch.

[thekevster]

Yea fishing is versatile so you can really use whatever works best for you
I personally like to use a rod with a fast action for soft plastics,jigs,topwater and buzzbaits.I like a moderate action rod when using crankbaits.As far as spinnerbaits go I am still experimenting.

Tavery5 your right you can pretty much always compensate by using line with more stretch.For example I have met people who use Monofilament for topwater with a fast action rod and I have also met people who use braid for topwater on a moderate action rod.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

I generally like a moderate or moderate fast action for moving baits like spinnerbaits and crankbaits. I like fast actions for bottom baits like t-rigs, c-rigs and jigs. I do use fast actions for hard jerkbaits and most topwaters. In fishing, there are no rules, everyone has different preferences.

Raul, you are absolutely right. I failed to mention in the above statement that the rod in question is a fairly light powered medium. Using a heavier powered, fast action rod for the above technique would be less than ideal. I do like the fast action because I feel it aids twitching and popping with these baits.

Tav, you are dead on about the line as well.

[walkeraviator]

Im with Raul... single hooks i like a fast tip... treble hooks i like a moderate tip... if i am forced to use a fast tip w/ treble hooks i am sure to use mono to give it some give... also learned that fish with soft mouths, you should let em have some give... lost a few speckled trout using a fast tip rod and low stretch line... it tears a huge hole in their mouth making teh barb useless...

with that said, i use a 5'6" Medium Moderate fo treble topwater baits... and am looking into a pair of 7" BPS crankin stiks for cranbaits.. 1 Medium and the other Medium-Heavy...

[Raul]

Originally Posted by Tavery5

Raul this is a very good point, you can also offset some of the differences by using line that has more or less stretch.

How I roll:

My good sticks ( IMXs ) are for baits where sensitivity is important: jigs, soft plastics; line: I´m not a fan of FC and braided, I like copoly for that purpose ( CXX, Hybrid )

My less than good sticks ( GL2s ) are for baits where a lot of sensitivity is not as important: spinnerbaits & cranks; line for spinnerbaits ---> resistant to abrassion nylon ( Trilene XT ), line for cranks ---> more stretchy nylon ( Big Game ) plus a lighter drag setting. Lighter rod + stretchy line + drag on the lighter side + razor sharp hooks on my cranks = seldomly loose a fish, the entire sistem works as a shock absorber.