The action of the rod can largely depend on the taper of the rod blank. When looking at a rod, keep in mind the action largely describes where the rods bends. A large factor in determining where the rod bends is based on the taper of the rod. When trying to understand the action you will ultimately be looking at how the rod blank is tapered. A rod with a big taper has a big change in diameter from butt to tip. Alternately, a rod with a small taper has a slight diameter change from butt to tip. The taper contributes to where the rod has its flexing action.
- A fast action rod is tapered where the rod flexes in the upper 1/3 of the rod.
- A medium action rod is tapered where the rod flexes in the upper 1/2 of the rod.
- A slow action rod is tapered where the rod flexes below the upper 1/2 of the rod.
The speed of the rod is mainly describing how quickly the rod recovers from being flexed. The largest contributors to the speed of the rod are mass and the rigidity of the material being used to make the rod. As an example, a fiberglass rod with the same mass as a high modulus graphite will recover more slowly and have a slower speed due to the rigidity properties of fiberglass compared to high modulus carbon fiber.
- A fast speed rod recovers quickly and depending on the material it is made of, can be light and rigid e.g. high modulus carbon fiber.
- A medium speed rod recovers more slowly than the fast speed rod.
- A slow speed rod flexes more deeply and recovers the slowest.
As you can see there is a connection between Speed and Action but it is best described as a correlation.
Here are three very distinct types of fishing rods; fly rods, casting rods, and spinning rods. We look at the conditions and fishing situations where both action and speed of a rod aligns with conditions.
Fly Rod
Fast Action Fly Rods: Ideal for cutting through wind and turning (presenting) heavier flies.
Performs best for you if casting in a constant ocean breeze and are looking to make quick casts over distance. The taper on these rods will be more pronounced putting fles in the upper 1/3 of the rod.
Slower Action Fly Rods: Ideal for less wind and turning (presenting) lighter flies.
Performs best in protected mountain streams, casting both nymphs and dry flies.
Casting Rod
Fast Action Casting Rods: Ideal for casting in windy conditions as well as when sensitivity is important. Performs best when jigging or crawling soft plastics through cover. The speed on these rods also correlates with the sensitivity which you will depending on in this type of scenario. Fast action and fast speed rods are often the choice in these scenarios.
Slow Action Casting Rods: Ideal for longer battles with larger fish as well as casting larger tackle longer distances. Performs best when reeling in larger tackle or billed lures at depth. The slower action and slower speed allow you to load these rods up with a big back-cast and hurl heavy tackle a long way. The slower action rod acts as lever with some whip that will allow get distance on your cast but also the slower speed on a rod like this will keep you from ripping hooks out of your fish if you are cranking your tackle deep.
Spinning Rod
Fast Action Spinning Rods: Ideal for setting the hook quickly and throwing larger tackle. Often has great sensitivity. Performs best when moving medium 1/4 oz tackle quickly e.g. working a topwater across the surf. A medium speed rod would be perfect for the angler who's operating with some quick twitch. If you know you are quick on the hookset trigger a medium speed rod could be the answer to your missed topwater bites.
Slower Action Spinning Rods: Ideal for lighter baits when pursuing smaller game and shorter casts.
Performs best when vertical jigging.
