rod technology

[Jeremy]

The questions is, what makes a good rod?

Let me explain a bit more. I have been using a typical glass spin stick which I built myself for over 15 years. Nice rod, but I would now rate it as 2-3 kg, rather than 3. I have been using it for 3 kg line, mainly for lure casting and caught alot of nice fish on it.

I have recently bought another rod for 3 kg lure casting, as I am now using a BTR3500 for 3 kg bait fishing on the old fibreglass rod. The new rod is a Daiwa Firewolf graphite rod (bought second hand), and I would rate it as a 3-4 kg rod.

The difference in the rods in very clear. Apart from the lighter feel and stiffer tip which gives much longer casts, this rod pulls fish up much quicker than the softer fibreglass rod I have been using for years. Identical drag settings on the same reel I have used for the last 3 years, but I can feel there is alot more pressure on the fish.

So the question, more precisely put, is why is there so much difference in the pressure on the fish using identical drag settings? If this is just the stiffness in the rod, why not use a 'broom stick'?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[NeilD]

Jeremy.
The stiffer graphite rod "feels" like you are putting more pressure on the fish however it is actually the fish applying more leverage against you. If the drag setting (over the rod) is the same then the force applied to the line is the same. Old game rods were stiff and did not fold away like strokers and were murder on any fisho without a chair.

Neil

[Jeremy]

Neil,

I know the leverage issue is one factor. I know I can pull a tuna up much quicker on a short overhead rod than a longer spin stick, and part of this would be the fact that it is much easier on the angler using a short rod.

Thanks for your reply, and hope to get more responses.

Jeremy

[DR]

when you use a rod it acts as a shock absorber, as well as adding extra pressure.
glass is sloppy compared to graphite, so when you go up to the next level it has better, faster/stronger recovery. as fish starts to run the rod applies pressure quicker & stronger than with glass. by the time glass starts to work properly the fish has started to gather speed &, giving it more pulling power & taking a lot more line, with graphite it starts to stop fish almost instantly, therefore it can't gather speed/strength & takes less line.

clear as mud, sounds quite simple in my head..