rod characteristics

[tim shannon]

hello all,

looking at the moment for a new rod...
I was just wondering... i've read a lot of threads where people talk about their rods as "great hards rod" or 'a great sp rod", but for someone like me(ie an absolute loss when it comes to catching bream) i dont have much of an idea when it comes to which characteristics make the 'perfect' sp or hardbody rod..

is there even a difference between the two or is it all about personal preference?
i realise sensitivity has a lot to do with it but i suppose im wondering about the effect action, taper etc. has on different lure types and fishing scenarios...

I'm looking at the high-end rods so i just want to make sure i have plenty of opinions/info. before i spend that sort of money..
not really after particular brands or models as that info already seems to be around in other threads.. but very interested to see if there are characteristics of a rod which would make it either a hards or sp rod..

so...... what do you guys/gals think??
ta, Tim

[Stu_000]

Tim

Shame your in Queensland..........Geoff and Sean at the BM shop were amazing yesterday.......New rod and reel for me, under my budget, spooled up and lots of advice to go with my gear.

[Richo]

Quite simply stiffer rod for hards and a bit softer for softies IMO, I know some who like a stiffer rod for softies also, depends how you like them to load up - which puts it back to individual preferences I think. With a lighter rod the more you`ll feel when fishing softies, best thing to do is to have a feel of what some guys are using.

Cheers

[Bear]

Spot on for me Richo. I like a rod that loads up well on hard bodies with a finesse tip. The 6' Reaper and 6'6" Reaper are perfect for me.

The 7' Reaper is a softer rod that is less likely to yank a plastic out of a searching Blackie.

[NASRULLAH]

G'day Tim, I read an article that made a lot of sense. It said that when using soft plastics for Bream that a high modulous rod with a fast action is desireable for a couple of reasons. The high modulous/fast action rods return to their correct position very quickly when cast, allowing the line to pass through the guides very easily, thus enhancing your distance & accuracy on the cast. Also, that fast action (or stiffness) is better for tiny movements (or tweaking) than a soft action rod that has more play. The fast action rods are also better to cast from confined areas.

I think that this is shown to be correct by watching the choice of rods that the Pro's are using on the AFC Bream Pro Series on telly today, there was considerable emphasis put on the unusual rod selection by Jesse Lomas when landing a good Bream on a rod with a very soft action.

I think this is also proven by the amount of Bream Finesse style rods available today. They are mostly high modulous, fast action, fast tapered rods with that finesse tip. This, ofcourse does not mean that they are necessarily stiff or thick rods, just that they return to straight very quickly & that most of the load curve is in the tip half of the rod with a firm butt, full of grunt, to pull a big Bream out from oyster leases etc.

[NASRULLAH]

I should also add that the fast action style of rod is my preferred choice for hardbodies as well.

[rodmy]

yes i saw that on the telly today too, the guy using a soft rod