"Rod speed" is an ever-popular topic for rod builders, but only in vague terms such as "slow" or "medium" or "medium fast"?! Actual speed is easily measured in feet per second or miles per hour. These are meaningful, objective terms upon which rod builders can make informed choices. Why do blank makers and rod makers cling to nonsense such as "super fast" or "soulful action" when describing blanks? Maybe for the same reason double-blind rod comparisons are shunned by rod blank producers/vendors? Advertising and profit trump performance and facts.

Phil, a better question may be, why are fly fishers so gullible..

Phil,

No, the terms you're using "slow" "medium" and "fast" describe rod action (where the rod initially flexes), not rod speed. These are two different things.

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Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> Phil,
>
> No, the terms you're using "slow" "medium" and
> "fast" describe rod action (where the rod
> initially flexes), not rod speed. These are two
> different things.
>
> ............


Please enlighten me Tom. if medium action, medium fast action, fast action ect, isn't pertaining to speed, what is? Would it be how fast the rod snaps back? In other words, if I had a fiberglass slow action rod, it would snap back slower than a graphite rod of the same flex?

A fast action glass rod will have the same action as a fast action graphite rod. They both initially flex in the upper 1/3rd of their length. "Action" is where the rod initially flexes. "Speed" is how quickly a rod reacts and recovers. Other than the CCS frequency measurement, I'm not aware of rod speed being measured and/or listed in most blank or rod specifications.

The Glossary has more information on action and speed.

..........

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> A fast action glass rod will have the same action
> as a fast action graphite rod. They both initially
> flex in the upper 1/3rd of their length. "Action"
> is where the rod initially flexes. "Speed" is how
> quickly a rod reacts and recovers. Other than the
> CCS frequency measurement, I'm not aware of rod
> speed being measured and/or listed in most blank
> or rod specifications.
>
> The Glossary has more information on action and
> speed.
>
> ..........

OK, that's what I thought it was. Thank you.

Actually, rod speed can be measured in miles per hour.

Put the rod in a rod holder, start the boat and pedal to the metal. The rod speed will be exactly the same as the speed registered on the boat's speedometer.

Best wishes on a Friday fun afternoon.

During a cast he line at first moves precisely as fast as the rod tip [except if you haul or double haul]. No magic, simple physics. There is a reason blank&rod vendors don't advertise rod tip speed, which is quite easily determined - maybe because it would debunk fairy tale marketing suggestions?

Phil,
If “...rod tip speed, which is quite easily determined,,,” please inform all of us how you measure it and then determine and assign a related number. We are all here to learn.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

2*pi*R/T. Then add in the factors for the CCS frequency. Convert to same unit of measure. Simple. Right Phil?

Mark,
Actually, the rod tip speed is pretty easy to compute.

1. Measure the total length of the path that is traveled by the tip of the rod.

2. Use a timing watch with a start and stop photo detectors to determine the total time required from the time that the tip begins to move until it stops.

3. Then, simply divide the distance in inches by the time in seconds.

You will then have the average tip speed starting from 0 speed to ending with the tip speed at 0 speed.

Take care

Or, the tip speed is fast enough to propel the hook and or lure to its determined final resting spot on the water. So, that means that the tip speed is "just right".


Take care

So rod "speed" - as in a extra fast rod - has nothing at all to do with how fast the rod moves, but where it bends. I expect a rod's "action" has nothing to do with where or how a rod bends [that's speed] but instead indicates how fast that rod blank is selling.

Phil,
I know that you are running with us.
I know that you know the definity of Rod Speed - when referring to a rod blank

You well know that this picture gives a clear view of the difference in rod speeds from slow to fast:

[www.redington.com]

Speed - when it comes to rod blanks simply refers to the location on the rod, where the rod first begins to bend when loaded up.

A slow speed begins to bend in the middle.
An extra fast speed begins to bend in about the last 10-15% of the rod length next to the tip.
The other speeds began to bend at the appropriate different location on the rod blank.

But, you know this already but perhaps some beginners do not know this information.

Take care

Ewaniki is back on his pulpit, to using ridiculous scenarios , to preach is opinions of manufactures, marketing and advertising!

Roger,
I did not realize it was sooooo simple?!?!?! Nonetheless, me and certainly others are very interested in how Phil performs the task.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> So rod "speed" - as in a extra fast rod - has
> nothing at all to do with how fast the rod moves,
> but where it bends. I expect a rod's "action" has
> nothing to do with where or how a rod bends
> [that's speed] but instead indicates how fast that
> rod blank is selling.


Incorrect. Every rod manufacturer going back 60 to 70 years has indicated that "Action" is where the rod initially flexes. Countless rod and blank manufacturer illustrations over the past half century indicate this plainly. "Speed" is not possible to indicate by illustration.

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Why do all respondents to this thread allow yourselves to be baited???
If you ignore these threads they will disappear.
Herb

They're likely to disappear shortly, regardless. The constant trolling has gotten a bit tiresome.

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

Phil,
Request #3 to enlighten all of us as to your procedure to measure and assign a representative number to your targeted “rod speed”. Please TEACH us rather than merely PREACH to us. We are all here to learn.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.