Tog Rod

[Kevin Bogan]

Good topic. Many of the things you bring up lend to a good debate.
I feel that the primary characteristic of a Blackfish rod is "taper".
You mention "if the tip is too fast". That says it all. A fast taper rod usually bends in the upper third/quarter. The problem here is that the tip is generally 'soft' and the butt portion very stiff. When you get a bite the fish already knows that you are setting up, and will drop the bait. It is a split second "signal' that just scares the fish away. If you hook the fish and he attempts to run back into the wreck you will "bump" more fish as the fast taper pulls more hooks that are lip hooked and will break more lines.
[many rod mfgrs. indicate on the bottom of the rod the rod taper; slow medium fast]
A medium taper rod bends more in the center of the rod. This action gives 'immediate pressure during the 'hookset', disallowing the fish from 'shaking' the hook, and allows the angler to continue a high striking motion that will help to get the fish off the wreck. You can actually 'crank' the reel against the action of the rod, and the medium taper will act as a shock absorber throughout the remainder of the fight. For every 10 fish that are lost, I believe medium taper will keep about half of those on the hook.
Materials, and rod lengths are other good topics.
Sensitivity???? it is an ability of the fisherman. Most anglers are led to believe in advertising that it is in a fishing line or rod material.