In a blank of a given power, which action will cast further? I can the fast action having increased tip speed to fling a bait, or will a more moderate action load more making more use of the rods backbone? I can see the logic of both lines of thought and also that it may be a moot point and the power being the real factor.

The faster action will cast further, simply because the rod is effectively longer with a fast action.

But, if you are casting live bait, most folks like a moderate or slow action, because the tip does not accelerate as fast as a fast action rod and the bait stays on the hook better.

Be safe

Mike,

First, when you are really going for distance, you may find it difficult to keep the bait on the hook.

The answer is kind of moot and depends mostly on the skill, type of cast, and power of the fisherman.

When doing an off the ground cast, a stiff moderate action seems to work best. The arc of travel is relatively small and the sinker accelerates rapidly.
With a pendulum cast, the path of the sinker is more complex. A moderate-fast action works better for pendulum casting.

If you held a rod by the handle and moved the tip in an arc, the radius of the arc would be equal to the rods length.
1. If the sinker followed the tip, the radius of the sinker's arc would be equal the tip's arc radius.
2. If the sinker followed a path closer to the fisherman, the radius of the sinker's arc would be less than the tip's arc radius.
3. If the sinker followed a path farther away from the fisherman, the radius of the sinker's arc would be greater than the tip's arc radius.

In condition 1, the result would be the tip bent 90 degrees, similar to static load testing.
In condition 2, the tip (when loaded) would be bent greater than 90 degrees and a condition similar to high sticking would occur with possible damage to the upper half of the tip section.
In condition 3, the tip (when loaded) would be bent less than 90 degrees and the load would be transferred to the handle section. In this condition, the greatest power can be applied to the rod with the greatest acceleration and speed attained due to the sinker traveling in the widest arc.

The following link has a picture of US National Casting Champion Will Nash casting a rod that appears to have a slow to moderate-slow action. The rod has a moderate to moderate-fast action that appears slower due to the sinker traveling outside the tip. The cast being made by Will is most likely 800+ feet.

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Hope this helps,
Don

Don Becker

Fly rods work the same way. The blank doesn't know whether it's casting a sinker or a fly line. Many anglers using J hooks avoid fast-action rods because they rely upon touch to hook fish, and they are convinced slow action rods provide more sensitivity.

Fly rods work the same way. The blank doesn't know whether it's casting a sinker or a fly line. Many anglers using J hooks avoid fast-action rods because they rely upon touch to hook fish, and they are convinced slow action rods provide more sensitivity.

I was thinking more along the lines of spinnerbaits, swim jigs etc for bass rods. Casting distance is way over rated in bass fishing circles but it's a common question. Thanks for your input!