It seems more and more rods are designed for, constructed for, or named for individual species, like "bass rods", or specific fishing techniques, like "jigging rods", or specific lures, like "buzz bait rods". Is there a single source that describes the distinguishing physical characteristics of these species specific or technique-specific or lure-specific rod types so old-timers (like me) can follow the latest advances in fishing tackle? An overview of the unique physical features of these rods would be nice; an overview with numbers would be even better.

I will answer this the same way I answer the age old, "What did you catch em on?"

Answer: Experience

Long answer is that I would recommend a read such as "Magic Wands" and just redact any mention of manufacturer. As anglers, over the years, we have trial and errored our way to know what works best for different baits and what different baits work well for the target quarry.

Commercial rod enterprises do this so that the consumer doesn't have to bother with numbers, specifics, etc. I was talking with an industry icon a couple weeks back and he said the practice of labeling rods as species or technique specific has sold more rods than probably any other marketing effort of the past 100 years.

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[www.rodbuilding.org]

As long as consumers value grand promises over measured results the products available to them will not improve. I try unsuccessfully to name a specific advance in rod building components over the last 25 years - an advance based upon measured results, not paid testimonials, no-numbers claims, or plain old vague bushwa.

To me it is action, power and mono line size. If I know the lure or bait to a specific fish species, then I can build a rod for it. The client can call it whatever they want. It makes it a little easier if the client tells you they want a specific type rod like a jigging or jerk bait rod, because then I can consider a suggested manufacturer's named blank. It may not be the right choice, but it is a direction. Don't make it more complicated than it has to be.

Ewaniki, is again dead wrong !! Rods and blanks have improved vastly over the years. Just a few of the improvements have been: weight, strength and action choices. This is markedly so in fly rods!

Marketing's a bit different today than it was 40 - 100 years ago.

Pick up a sporting magazine from the 1950's, or even earlier. Field and Stream, Sports Afield, etc. Marketing isn't at all different nowadays.

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PING!

Improvement in fishing rods is a matter of faith, not fact. Do today's rods cast farther or more accurately than the rods of the past? Who knows, since the actual physical performance of rods remains unadvertised, unpublished, unknown? Hoop strength? Tracking? Adspeak has not changed much in 50 or 60 years. It's still a matter of adjectives and and emotions, not measurements and facts.

RodMaker has published these measurements and facts over the past 25 years. How is it that you're not aware of this?

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Hi Tom.

If you check his posts you will see he is a pot stirrer.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Advertising reaches us in a much different manner than it did way back then. We are bombarded with advertising 24/7 today before we ever pick up a magazine. Targeted advertising.

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> Improvement in fishing rods is a matter of faith,
> not fact. Do today's rods cast farther or more
> accurately than the rods of the past? Who knows,
> since the actual physical performance of rods
> remains unadvertised, unpublished, unknown? Hoop
> strength? Tracking? Adspeak has not changed much
> in 50 or 60 years. It's still a matter of
> adjectives and and emotions, not measurements and
> facts.

Do rods cast more accurately and further? No...these are abilities of the fisherman...not the rod.
Are rods better? Emphatically yes. The materials have improved...the fibers and the resin...no question about it.
Rods today are stronger and lighter than rods of yesteryear....both graphite and glass.
The guides have also improved...the ceramic rings are lighter and harder...the frames are lighter.

I assume someone has actually tested and revealed the breaking strength of rods in the past and in the present, maybe even the makers of these rods - but they have not made their findings known. I assume that reputable rod makers actually test the breaking strength and harmonics of their new blanks, although their results aren't widely shared. I guess the average angler is more interested in the soulful, smooth, powerful, and sensitive qualities of blanks than in boring facts such as feet, inches, harmonics, hoop strength . . .

What is it gonna take to get this clown banned?

He must be living in the dark ages if he cannot see the improvements in rods and blanks, most can and do not need data to observe it! His posts pretty generally are without merit and usually voice his distain for marketing and advertising, so much so that many of us are fed up with his diatribes!

PONG!

He has not broken any rules that would result in him being banned. So the best course of action, if you do not care for his conversation simply do not respond.

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