I copied this list from a previous note and have seen some definitions listed in the library but is there a list somewhere with the application description included? Thanks.

Popping
Dropshot
Crankbait
Topwater
Frog
Pitchin'
Flippin'
Wormin'
Shakey Head
Darter Head
Spinnerbait
Swimbait (small)
Swimbait (medium)
Swimbait (large)
Jerkbait
Senko
etc., etc.

Did you check the glossary page here? Most would be listed there.

New ones are cropping up every few months, of course.


.............

do you mean a list of the rod types and what situation you would use them in?

The designations get more and more specialized. Most of the impetus for this is coming from the pro-bass crowd who need to make what they do and the way they do it more and more complex in order to keep the mystique going, and to sell rods and lures and such for their sponsors. If they just did this year what they did last year they'd have little reason to get you to buy anything if last year's stuff still worked.

Most well-built rods are pretty versatile tools. If the fisherman learns to apply them to different techniques, most of the time, they can do the job passably well if not better than that. The pros do have the advantage of fishing relatively constantly and their skills remind me of pro golfers, who can make any club do some amazing things but who use custom-ground, weighted, and balanced clubs that you and I would never expect to get our hands on much less have tailor-built for us - and even then we couldn't use them to the fullest capability.

It's called marketing. It's driven by the manufacturers who, after all, sponsor the pros.

However, you can't minimize the customer's request for a rod in one of the categories above. He has a mental picture of what he wants to do with it and that's what he wants your rod for - something better than he can buy off-the-rack but still use for the specific technique he has in mind. DO NOT try to tell him a worm rod will also quite happily throw and work a small lure, or that a 7ft rod will work equally as well as a 6-1/2ft rod, or that a two-piece rod is as good (and sometimes better) as a one-piece rod.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

**It's called marketing.....**
Yep. And the goal is to catch fisherman, not fish. Fish rarely go shopping. Next, someone will have to market a dingy to tow behind your boat so you can have all your 'must haves' come with you.

Personally I am amused that people watch fishing on television. For something exotic and far away, I can maybe see it as noting someplace to go yourself someday. But to watch people catching fish you can go out and catch yourself? Something quite strange about that to me. People do odder things tho.

After reading Rich Forhan's book "Powerhand Baitcasting" you can narrow down your rod needs to 5 or 6 rods for just about anything you need to throw at bass. His blank selections are a little outdated as the Lamiglas Certified Pro blanks are no longer made, but the IM 700 blanks and he XMG50 blanks make up for the loss with similar blanks.
Have been a Lamiglas fan for many years, I've tried some of Rich's other choices over the years but they all seem to sell out, (Shikari) or the blanks get harder to find. (GUSA)

The so called "ROD ACTIONS" above, are sooooooooooooo much like flylines: So much marketing!!!!!

Bassbug taper
Pike taper
Bonefish taper
Tarpon taper
Muskie taper
Nymph taper
Steelhead taper
Saltwater taper
Salmon taper
And now...Carp/Redhorase taper!!!

dave...

I like your philosophy!!! Your a legend!!

Paul