What will cast a light lure better? A fast action or moderate action rod?

Ryan

For what it's worth, I asked a well known rod builder the same question two years ago and he recommended a St. Croix AVID 3S70MLF blank. I spiral wrapped fit or baitcasting and matched it with a Shimano Scorpion 1000 reel, it will cast a 1/8 oz lure to my satisfaction, my conclusion-go FAST action.

Ryan,
If all the other variables are held constant, length, power, etc. a faster action angle rod will cast well a wider range of weights than a slower action angle rod will but a slower action angle rod will outcast a faster one if the weight is well matched to the rod. So I guess the answer is it depends mainly on the power of the rod and the weight being cast. If you look at tournament distance casting rods they are relatively slow or low action angle rods.

I agree with ray about the blank, but I cant say about the action really. I have two rods one in 66 and one in 7 built on St. Croix's MLF blank. Although it is technically a fast action blank it doesnt seem fast when it is loaded up. When I cast a light bait the rod seems to load up more like a moderate action blank than a fast action blank. Perhaps someone with more technical knowledge can chime in.

Scott,
You are right if you are comparing to a moderate action rod that has too much power for the weight of the lure but I think that you would find the opposite with a moderate action rod but with less power or that is better matched to the weight of the lure.
When you refer to the rod loading you are pointing to the main variable which is how much energy can you store up in the rod during the first part of the cast. In the second part of the cast this energy is then transferred mainly to the lure. A slower action rod that is well matched to the lure weight will store up more energy than a faster action rod will. Also naturally the lighter the lure the larger the effect that other variables like line weight, guide friction etc. will have.

Another factor to keep in mind Scott is actual Action Angle versus manufacturer descriptions. Just because a blank or series of blanks is labeled fast or fast plus or moderate fast is generally not all that informative. They can often be all over the place. A look at the CCS database will confirm this. I agree with Emory that a fast action rod usually handles a wider range of lure weights better. Within the world of fly rods, a fast action rod often can perform well with a wide range of line weights whereas on a moderate action rod, you often only have one or two lines that hit the "sweet spot". A fast action allows you to cast strictly off the tip with light lures or with heavier lures you can tap into the middle more and still throw an accurate cast with good distance. I'd probably go fast action for small lures unless the only type you throw are small cranks or in-line spinners - then I'd go more moderate fast.

To add another wrinkle in your consideration, it may also depend on how long your rod is. A 5'6" rod or a 8 foot rod can have the same amount of bend, and one would be moderate slow while the other may be fast. Yet both would have the same length that loads for that particular lure. I've been told that if you want to go longer for greater casting distance (i.e. 8feet or longer) then fast as the section that loads is still pretty long.

Mo

The power of the rod will pretty much determine that. For instance, a fast action surf rod rated to throw 6 ounces isn't likely to cast a light 1/8th ounce lure as well as a medium action light power spinning blank rated for 1/8th ounce lures. So settle on power, first.

Now if you have similar power and then put the question again - which will throw the specified weight better, that's a different thing. I can't much to what's been said here. Fast action rods will handle a wider weight range than medium action rods will. Generally anyway. I prefer faster action rods because they offer what I think is a "crisper" cast. If you want to skip lures in tight spots, under brush, etc., I'd opt for the faster action.

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Thanks for that info guys. Steve, Tom, Emory - That was probably the best explanation I could have ever hoped for.
Thanks