Rod power and action, explained

Power: how strong

Power is how much force it takes to bend the rod. From lightest to strongest: ultralight, light, medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, heavy and extra-heavy. On the rod they're often shortened to UL, L, ML, M, MH, H and XH.

• Ultralight and light: panfish, trout, small lures.
• Medium-light and medium: smaller bass lures and all-round fishing.
• Medium-heavy: most bass fishing: worms, jigs, spinnerbaits.
• Heavy and extra-heavy: frogs in thick grass, big swimbaits, big catfish, heavy cover.

Action: where it bends

• Extra-fast: bends mostly near the tip. Very sensitive, very quick hooksets.
• Fast: bends in the top third. The most common action. Great for single-hook lures like worms and jigs, where you need a solid hookset.
• Moderate: bends down toward the middle. Good for treble-hook lures like crankbaits: the softer bend helps keep the hooks from tearing out.
• Slow: bends deep into the rod. Fun with small fish and light line. Less common for bass.

Read the label on the rod

Most rods have their specs printed just above the handle:

• Length, like 7'0" (7 feet, 0 inches).
• Power and action, like MH and F (medium-heavy, fast).
• Line rating, like 10–20 lb. That's the rod's sweet spot. Braid can go a bit heavier because it's thinner.
• Lure rating, like 1/4–3/4 oz. Lures in that range cast best.

Length

• Longer, 7 feet and up: longer casts and more leverage on the hookset. Good from the bank and in open water.
• Shorter, under 6½ feet: more accurate and easier to handle in tight spots: kayaks, small boats, under trees and docks. Easier for kids, too.

Casting rod or spinning rod?

A baitcaster goes on a casting rod: the reel sits on top, the line guides face up, and there's a small trigger under the handle for your finger. A spinning reel goes on a spinning rod: the reel hangs underneath, the guides face down, and the first guide is big. They don't mix. If you're buying a rod for a baitcaster, make sure it says casting.

If you only buy one

For bass on a baitcaster: about 7 feet, medium-heavy power, fast action. It handles worms, jigs, spinnerbaits and most crankbaits, and it's strong enough when a big one bites.

Want something shorter and easier to handle on a bank, a kayak or a small boat? The ProFishient casting rod is 1.8 m long (about 5 feet 11 inches) and made for baitcasters.