Hi All, What are the pros and cons of fast vs xfast rod actions.Think calstar eglass 655 vs 6455.Used for sharking with tld 25 15kg line.Trying to pick a blank for my first build.The rods I use now are cheap factory rod that have a moderate action I think.Will be putting ring guides on.Don't use wind-on leaders at all.Instead have 8mtr long double that can get both thumbs on the spool to shift stubbon sharks.Put as much preasure as I can through the rods I own..Any advice is great.
Tight lines scott



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2018 11:48PM by Scott Lawrence.

You being from Australia, I'd use a blank designed in Australia for your waters, the United Composites Challenger Platinum series. You should have no problem finding info on the CP series rods.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2018 08:17PM by Spencer Phipps.

Hi Spencer, can look into the united composites bkanks.Still after some general thoughts on pro and cons of different blank actions for standup rods.Very new to all this so trying to learn as much as I can.Thanks Scott

The action depends on the size sharks you targeting. For the truly big fish, say 3 meters in length or longer, I advise going with a very action blank - one you can barely bend bi hand. Here’s why, big sharks can be tremendous fighters. You can only land them by turning them toward you and gaining line. Stiff rods make this easier because of the force you can exert against the fish. This is assuming you are fully strapped into a plate and harness. I’ve seen guys use 80 pound weight class rods, hook up to a big shark and spend the next 4 hours trying to wear it out. In the end, if they can endure, they are pretty beat up and the sharks chances of successfully being released alive are slim. It makes a good story but, not the best scenario. A stout rod can force a big fish to turn much sooner than one with a faster tip. I would look for a blank you can cut down so a 32/64 roller tip top or larger will fit. Ring guides are fine to use. Others may disagree with my suggestions but, I’m coming from the perspective of someone who actually targets the biggest sharks catchable. It’s a much different game than conventional fishing and those theories often don’t work very well. Keep us posted.

Power and action aren't the same thing. A fast action rod will initially bend most in the upper 1/3rd. This means your lever remains longer and retrieves more line per pump of the rod. A slower action rod will initially bend down through the mid area. This means that under load you have a shorter effective lever and will be able to apply more pressure, but will retrieve less line per pump of the rod.

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Thanks Martin and Tom for the feed back.Target Bully's in shallow water 5 to 20 mtrs deep.Most fall in the 5 to 7 foot range.Always hoping for the big girl to bite.Still having a bit of trouble understanding the power and action relationship.Manufacture's don't always list both.They do alway's list butt and tip diameter.Can you assume or know how a rod will be by looking at the specs ?
Here is two rods that are both listed as fast.
Calstar 655 butt dia 23.4 And tip 3.6 mm
Bluewater series by Ultimate Rods ur56h15 has butt dia 21.59 and tip of 11.00 mm.

The Bluewater has very similar specs to the Rainshadow fsu56h blank but they list it as medium action.
For a newbie it is hard to know what you are ordering if you have not seen these blanks before.
Can someone explain please what you could expect from those two rods.
tight lines Scott