Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

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DenhamBruce
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Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by DenhamBruce » Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:54 am

So I've been in the market for a new frog rod because I'm not all that pleased with the action of the one I'm using currently. I have been fishing a 13 Omen 2 71MH and the backbone is too stiff when fighting a fish as it seems like only the top 20% of the rod bends under load. This would be fine with mono, but I only use braid and thinks this leads to more pulled hooks when you're wrenching on them with a locked drags. For braid I want a rod with deeper taper that bends further into the blank. This goes whether I'm fishing frogs or even a jig. For example, my MHX FS904 bends deeper into the blank than my Omen yet its still a heavier rod.

So my question is, what are some brands that generally fish how I'm describing? If you've fished either of the rods I have and can compare to other brands that would be great! Would love to hear about some brands and experiences you've had with them to compare to my own.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:25 am

This is my short answer. I will provide a longer response once I get to my computer.

The manufacturer is the biggest variable. Brands tend to run the same through every line. Phenix is "softer/more bend where say St Croix and Abu Garcia are stiffer/faster than the "average"

Material comes next. A NFC blank that is SM material will be generally softer/more bend than the HM series.

Best way is to read the forum here and get a general idea about the characteristics of a certain brand. People also have different preferences on what type of setup for an application so, keep that in mind.
IG @hobie_wan_kenobi_fishing

DenhamBruce
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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by DenhamBruce » Thu Jul 26, 2018 12:33 pm

So I've heard that yes Abu and St Croix fish stiffer. But from my experience when comparing a heavy rated rod between the two, the St Croix still bends deeper into into the blank than the Abu which seems like a pool stick. I was actually considering the 74H Mojo but cant get my hands on any of the rods I want to try without ordering one.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Cristo » Thu Jul 26, 2018 3:11 pm

Check out Power Tackle

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Polkfish1 » Thu Jul 26, 2018 4:08 pm

I'd suggest Jackal x Shimano Poison rods. Thus far, I've had a chance to fish with a H power in both the ultima and adrena lines, which kind of spans their price range. I think they are in line with what you are looking for. For the price, I think the adrena series is a heavy hitter. With the ultima, you get extra sensitivity and even more taper, but in both series you get so much taper/action under load and when loading to cast--opposite of the broomstick effect you describe. All the while tapers remain fast on those blanks built to be such.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Houndfish » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:14 pm

If you want a powerful rod that bends deep into the bank, the MB Hyuga 72H has been working great as a frog rod for me.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by DenhamBruce » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:49 pm

Those rods sound like great suggestions price is a factor for me. I was looking for one brand specifically to run a certain way hoping to get a good model without spending a whole lot of money. But perhaps these characteristics I'm talking about are just something you find in a high end, well made fishing rod..

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by MULEY » Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:13 pm

Dobyns rods , action , balance , you cant go wrong !

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by ogrich31 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 12:24 am

I haven't used those rods, but you may want to look into iRods. I've fished quite a few of the Genesis II series rods and most of them are built on a thicker, thin walled blank. The moderate action ones really fit my style of fishing. Quick blanks and more bend equals less lost fish for my style of fishing.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by DirtyD64 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:04 am

Dobyns seems a tad bit softer than St. Croix and Abu style rods, with maybe a tad deeper bend. I for this reason and considering a MH Dobyns rod because it is as soft as both my Abu and St. Croix Mediums with a bit better flex.

Being a primarily fluoro fisherman, my 7'Medium Villain 2.0 rods are perfect with 12lb FC for semi finesse/general purpose. The newer Abu rods (at least higher end) are a little more true to action rated but still have a very stiff backbone without much tip.

TFO rods (I know not many use them) have always had a deeper bend to me. Their Heavy powered TFO Tactical rod would have been a great frog rod with braid or Carolina rig rod with braid, they load up nice.

Lew's rods are all over the damn place. My 7'3"MH Magnum Hammer is rated like a Medium (1/4-5/8, like the Villain 2.0) but has a nice, faster Medium 1/3 that translates to an overly powerful 2/3 bottom section that seems it could go over 5/8. Same goes for my 7'6"MH Mag Bass, it's weird. The 7'6"MH and 7'M cranking rods are true to nature though, they fish good. All are the Custom Speed Stick white/black with Duracork handles.

The 7'ML xf Abu Villain 2.0 spinning rod I have must be one of the most perfect dropshot rods I've owned (for action). Their definition of extra fast is different than other brands and this Abu almost has a softer yet responsive tip that translates quick to a strong but flexible backbone capable of setting the hook on even TX rigged dropshots.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Houndfish » Fri Jul 27, 2018 4:53 pm

ogrich31 wrote:I haven't used those rods, but you may want to look into iRods. I've fished quite a few of the Genesis II series rods and most of them are built on a thicker, thin walled blank. The moderate action ones really fit my style of fishing. Quick blanks and more bend equals less lost fish for my style of fishing.
I have an iRod "Fred's Magic Stick" and it is a very nice frog rod and has enough bend that I can use it for smaller treble-hooked swimbaits. However, it has a pretty long handle which kills it for me as a frog rod, but if that isn't a big deal for you then they are worth a look.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Obz » Sat Jul 28, 2018 4:30 am

It would be awesome if TT could do something similar to the Destroyer USA First Look for all the big players. Get a balance point, overall weight and rod deflection chart for each model.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Finnz922 » Sat Jul 28, 2018 7:27 am

Houndfish wrote:
ogrich31 wrote:I haven't used those rods, but you may want to look into iRods. I've fished quite a few of the Genesis II series rods and most of them are built on a thicker, thin walled blank. The moderate action ones really fit my style of fishing. Quick blanks and more bend equals less lost fish for my style of fishing.
I have an iRod "Fred's Magic Stick" and it is a very nice frog rod and has enough bend that I can use it for smaller treble-hooked swimbaits. However, it has a pretty long handle which kills it for me as a frog rod, but if that isn't a big deal for you then they are worth a look.
The majority of Irods are a little slower when compared to "traditional fast" rods. In fact, they just released a 7'1"H Poche rod, Poche's Punisher Rod, because the 7'H is too slow for the way Poche likes to fish jigs. The handles are slightly longer. I am 5'11" and can work a frog just fine and set the hook with no issues. Where I see this as a problem is for guys with short arms or who like to sit when they fish.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by Jeffbro999 » Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:17 am

I'd definitely like to know what you come up with. Love the more moderate rods for frog fishing. Started experimenting years ago, and found that I really liked frogging with a shorter, Heavy powered cranking rod. Ratings to 1 1/4 or 1 1/2oz and that moderate fast bend kept fish hooked up better than anything I have used and still has the power to drag them out of the heavy stuff.

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Re: Taper Characteristics of Different Rod Brands?

Post by DenhamBruce » Sat Jul 28, 2018 12:58 pm

I really like the idea of a Mod-fast rod for frogs. Was looking at the Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift frog rod so maybe thats an option. Sounds like I'll have to give Dobyns a try since they seem to be a leader in the bass industry. It definitely would be really cool to see someone compile all the rods on the market and compare them on a deflection chart to see how the actions differ since it so hard to get your hands on a lot of rods out there before buying one... Sometime soon hopefully! :D

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