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Difference in rods


mobon08

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In better quality rods there's very little difference between 1 and 2 piece rods. Modern ferrule technology has come a long way. If you blindfolded yourself and had someone hand you identical one and two piece rods, you probably couldn't tell the distance by casting the rod. 

 

From a technical point of view with all other factors being equal, a one piece rod will be lighter than a two piece rod. Rod weight is a factor in determining how quickly a rod returns to a static state after being flexed (during a cast or even when a fish nibbles a bait and tugs the fishing line). The quicker this process of returning to a stable state occurs, the more sensitive a rod feels in the hand. By eliminating the extra weight of a ferrule, the rod is able to return to a state of equilibrium quicker giving the angler a sense of increased sensitivity. But like I wrote above, can the average person tell the difference? Not really, the difference is just too small.

 

As to action, a ferrule may or may not alter the action of a blank. It depends on what the action of the blank is and the number of ferrules the rod has (a four piece travel rod will have three ferrules for instance). On a fast action blank (bend in upper third of the rod) and a center ferrule, the ferrule will be in the straighter section of the rod and will have a negligible effect on how the upper third bends. Conversely, on a slow action fly rod (bend in the upper two-thirds of the rod) a center ferrule will be a stiff point in a section of the rod where the blank is bending. This will change the bend of the rod, but is that bend a problem? It could be, but for most of us it isn't.

 

With modern ferrules, the added weight is low, the effect to rod bend or action is minimal, and the sensitivity is negligibly reduced. While I'd be spit-balling here, I'd put the "performance" loss of a modern two piece rod vs an identical 1 piece rod at 2-4% on a typical rod. For most of us that is not a meaningful significance. Other factors like storage in the boat or car would be greater concerns.

Edited by John E Powell
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