Fishing Rods Action Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Is Fast Action The Same As Light Action?
   I've been fishing my whole life but the fast action and slow action descriptions of rods have always confused me. I always buy the action based on light, medium, heavy, etc. What is the difference between fast/slow descriptions and and light/heavy description? Can you have two rods that are both medium action but one is fast and one is slow? Is it just the weight class of the rod?

   Thanks for any clarifications.

   • ANSWER:
     fast action is the action...light action is the strength....
     heres a site that i found to better describe it for you..
     http://team-uoa.com/?id=56&page=Rod+Tech...+Action+vs+Power+Part+I

2. QUESTION:
   is it okay to put a Medium/heavy action spinning reel on a light action rod?
   Okay I have a light action Protocol telescopic fishing rod... It did come with a light reel but I broke it (the line got really twisted and tangled around the bait I dont even know how) so instead of being smart and just cutting the line I decided to be a moron and unscrew the bail take it apart just to get fishing line off... Really really stupid of me... this was like a month or 2 ago.

   So I bought myself a new shimano IX-4000RC model reel it has a graphite body and to me seems plain out really sturdy (even at the amazingly cheap price it is at and 12 out of 13 reveiws agree 4 1/2 stars) I love it it works great I spooled it up with a new spool of 12lb line (which is its max capacity) its a MED/HEAVY action reel so it works great with heavy jigs and spoons... I placed it onto the protocol light action rod. Reason why I did not get a new MED/HEAVY action rod.. I thought it would be a good combo I mean great flexibiliy from my rod (about 5ft in length) and a heavy action reel with 12lb line spooled on it (which can probably take 50lb fish with the drag on Min settings) It has an easy grab drag at the bottom (like a dial) and a large crank on the reel so I can get a good grip anti reverese and I Can change the crank to be on either side (left or right) Here are all the item specifics for the model I got

   Product Features
   Shimano® IX spinning reel
   Graphite frame, sideplate, rotor and spool
   Rear drive
   Quick Fire II for fast and easy one-handed casting
   Approved for saltwater use

   Product Description
   Shimano IX Reels with QuickFireII bail levers are so easy to cast, you'll never go back to your closed-face reel again! Thinking about making the move to an open-faced Spinning Reel? For my money, your best choice is Shimano! This new IX Series of Reels is perfect for beginners and budget-conscious anglers. It sports Shimano's exclusive QuickFireII bail lever that makes one-handed casting just as easy as with your old push-button closed-face reel. And look at the price... affordable for anyone! IX-1000RC: UL Action; 4.1:1 Ratio; Bushing; 270/2, 140/4, 110/6 Line Capacity; 7 ozs...

   IX-2000RC: M Action; 4.1:1 Ratio; Bushing; 170/6, 120/8, 100/10 Line Capacity; 8 1/2 ozs...
   My model below (4000) They all have the same ratio (and mine can take the most line even the heavy stuff)
   IX-4000RC: MH Action; 4.1:1 Ratio; Bushing; 240/8, 200/10, 160/12 Line Capacity; 11 1/2 ozs.

   Product Details
   Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 4 inches ; 2 pounds
   Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
   ASIN: B00022VAI2
   Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
   13 Reviews
   5 star: (8)
   4 star: (3)
   3 star: (1)
   2 star: (0)
   1 star: (1)

   › See all 13 customer reviews...

   Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #8,444 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
   #2 in Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Fishing > Reels > Spinning Reels

   So is it okay to have put this reel on my light action rod? or should I get myself an actual MED/HEAVY action ugly stic and move on (even without the great flexability...)

   Thanks
   Sorry I meant bail not bait... at the start

   • ANSWER:
     Get an actual medium/heavy rod to match the reel. Reason: first of all, telescoping rods are not as sturdy as plain one or two piece rods. If you put too much stress on it, it's more likely to break, especially if you're pulling hard with line heavier than the rod is made for. Second, even if it doesn't break, you won't be able to get the pulling power the heavier reel and line are capable of. You pull, and the rod will just bend over, and you won't move the fish any closer to you. That much flexibility is more a hindrance than a help. And finally, the outfit just won't work very well because it won't be balanced -- the reel is too big for the rod.

     So get a bigger rod to match your new reel, and get a smaller reel for the old rod, assuming you want to keep using it.

3. QUESTION:
   What combination of rod and reel is best for Pellet waggler fishing?
   I'm about to buy rod and reel for Pellet waggler fishing and I dont know which combination is best.

   RODS...

   1- Avanti Hyperactive 12ft Powercast Waggler Rod

   Product Description

   Every angler should have a 12ft match rod in their holdall. The bread and butter of fishing on both rivers and stillwaters, this three-piece float rod has all the finesse for silverfish, but the power for carp, tench and bream too.

   From fishing a stubby float down the edge for margin carp, to flicking out a delicate insert waggler to the middle of your lake for silvers, the new Avanti Hyperactive 12ft Powercast Waggler rod is a tough, traditional three-piece rod that will do it all.

   There are few better ways of catching fish than on the waggler, and this bargain of a rod will put a smile on your face this season.

   Features a cork/EVA handle, secure, screw reel seat, Matsuku-lined guides, and medium power action.

   Tech Spec:

   * 12ft Powercast Waggler rod
   * Floatfishing for carp and silverfish on stillwaters and rivers
   * Cork/EVA handle
   * Low-friction Matsuku line guides
   * Three-section construction
   * Ergonomic screw reel seat
   * Verdict: All-round float rod every angler should have in their holdall.

   2- Avanti Hyperactive 11ft Power Pellet Waggler Rod

   Product Description

   Pellet waggler fishing has become an almost all-year-round tactic and is one of the fastest forms of catching carp on commercials. Fished shallow or even at depths of 8ft and beyond, the new Avanti Hyperactive 11ft Power Pellet Waggler allows you to create a splash and then search the depths to find where the fish are feeding.

   This new offering is a tough, two-piece float rod that will handle this active tactic with ease, with a casting and playing action designed to flick out your float with accuracy, hit bites, and play big fish back to the landing net. Not just for pellet wagglers, this rod is ideal for carp wagglers and splasher floats too, plus it has loads of power for fishing a heavy float rig and a big bait for specimen carp and tench in the margins.

   Tech Spec:

   * 11ft pellet waggler rod
   * Suitable for pellet wagglers, splasher floats, carp floats
   * Cork/EVA handle
   * Low friction Matsuku line guides
   * Two-piece, long section construction
   * Ergonomic screw reel seat

   Verdict: Powerful, versatile rod you can use for pellet waggler work and carp on the float.

   REELS...

   1- Zero760 Big Pit Reel

   Product Description

   Dragon Carp has got the first stocks of the new Zero760 reel – Britain's cheapest Big Pit reel ever!

   This huge, freespool reel is ideal for anglers who want to maximise their casting distance and is equally at home on carp or pike rods, as well as surfcasting rods for sea anglers. The massive spool size helps to reduce friction on the cast, leading to extra yards of distance, while the powerful guts of the reel will bring your rig, and fish, back to the bank with ease.

   Designed for big waters and big fish, the Zero760 Big Pit has an easy-to-use freespool mechanism, front drag and folding balanced handle, and comes with a spare spool too.

   2- "Firerunner Excel 500"

   Product Description

   ‘Runner’ style reel with big performance at real value.

   * Drilled aluminium spool
   * 3 Ball Bearings
   * 1 Graphite Spare Spool
   * Super big line capacity
   * On/off line release
   * Sensitive drag system
   * Anti reverse
   * Line roller guide
   * Double handle
   * Left/Right hand operation

   3- "Eurorunner Excel 500"

   Product Description

   ‘Runner’ style reel at value for money price!

   * Ball bearing action
   * Gear ratio 5.1:1
   * Large line capacity long cast spool
   * On/off line release system
   * Super sensitive drag adjustment
   * Anti-reverse
   * Line roller guide
   * Line clip
   * Balanced fold down handle
   * Left or right hand operation
   * 1 Spare spool

   Which is best combination for Pellet waggler fishing ??

   Please help
   THANKS

   • ANSWER:
     First of all, the rod. My advice with float rods is to go for length. My own float rod is 13' and I also have a carp waggler rod of 12'. Float rods have limited casting ability, so the longer the rod the better the cast you will be able to achieve.The 12' model is the one for you.

     Now, reels. If you are using a waggler rod you do not need a big pit reel or one with a high line capacity. It would be a total mismatch. Big pit reels are designed to be used for casting heavy duty line long distances with heavy rods. No float rod can cast any serious distance like that, nor can it cope with heavy duty line. You need to go with a match reel or a middle range fixed spool reel of some description. I think you would be much better off with something like the Azure RD 300 Match Reel or the Barbus XLT400 (which comes with a highly useful four spare spools). They come in at the same sort of price and will give you a much better balanced setup.

     Hope that helps. Tight lines.

     EDIT: I found the Robinson site and had a look at the Rexon. It'll do the job beautifully. When you put line onto the reel you might want to put a little backing on the reel spool first. Casting with a full spool is much easier than with one that is half empty. Bearing in mind that with a float rod you're unlikely to use more than 100 yards of line using backing will save you having to buy a second 100m of line.

     Here is a tip to help you use exactly the right amount of backing. Wind your mainline onto the reel spool. To do this fix the end of the line onto the spool, place the spool of line into a bucket of water and then just wind. Doing this stops the line twisting as it comes off the line spool. Line twist is a real pain.

     When you have wound all of the line onto the reel spool attach some backing material to it and continue winding until the reel spool is full to the rim. Cut the backing and take the reel spool off the reel. Put the empty spare reel spool onto the reel, attach the backing to it, and then wind everything off the first reel spool onto this one.

     Have a good time with your new kit!