As custom rod builder’s, Barick is constantly working with particular designs involving the characteristics of the “back-bone” of the fishing rod, the blank. The two main functions of the blank, Action and Power, are responsible for how the fishing rod will perform its duty. Lets explain what Action and Power actually are…
When blanks are designed by the manufacturer, they are created with a particular tip and butt diameter forming the Taper of the blank. With the combination of blank wall thickness, tightness of material wound on the mandrel helping to create the blank and amount of material diminishing along the length of the blank running up to the tip, this directly contributes to the action of the rod. Things like type of material (grades of carbon fibre), amount of wraps and force of roll (rolling of the flag, which is the blank pattern), also directly contribute to how the blank will perform in its Action.
So how do we classify or categorise Action; we can say it is the point of the rod at which it initially flexes and where it stops bending under the rod’s intended or designed load. This flex position is often referred as the lock-up point, where the blank first starts to stiffen dramatically. This effects the strike and casting style of the blank.
Extra Fast:
The tip of the rod bends at approx 20% down. Extra fast action rods are good for setting hooks quickly with very little effort on the angler’s part. Light bites are left easily because of the action’s tight bend translating to quick takes for the angler. They are perfect for a Flipping and Pitching technique but casting distance is compromised because of the short arc created by the action itself.
Fast:
The tip of the rod bends at approx below 20%-30% down. Fast action rods are good for setting hooks quickly and still have plenty of sensitivity just like the extra fast action rods. The fast action rod will have good fighting capability in the tip and will absorb the fish reaction in the water. This action has good sensitivity in the tip and fighting ability and are good for single hook applications.
Medium:
The tip of the rod bends at approx below 30%-50% down. Medium action rods are good for long distance casting. Due to the blank’s larger loading arc it will store more energy on the back haul and release the lure out further. The Medium action rod is a good choice for live bait and small soft-plastics and hard body lures. Medium action rods also have the advantage of keeping the hook engaged in the mouth of a fish because of the maintained tension through the larger arc of the action itself.
Slow:
The tip of the rod bends at below 50%. Slow action rods are good for absorbing the punches and runs of fighting fish. The softness of the action allows for use of lighter lines reducing the likelihood of line breakage through shock. Setting the hook is more difficult because of the slow pickup on angler reaction.
So how do we classify Power for a blank; Sometimes referred to as the Taper of the rod. A faster taper or more acute angle means a more powerful blank. You could imagine a blank with a 50mm butt and a 2mm tip would be extremely difficult to bend which equates to a “Very Heavy” power rating. Where a blank with a 6mm butt and a 1.4mm tip would be very easy to bend which equates to a “Very Light” power rating. Some manufacturers rate the Power of their blanks with Taper ratings and others weight class;
Slow/Light
Very Light feel and delicate action.
Medium/Medium
Great balance and ease of casting.
Fast/Heavy
Brilliant stopping power and casting distance.
Extra Fast/Extra Heavy
The best stopping and lifting power. Only the strongest rods will have this rating.
