Hi all. Does anyone use extra fast rod blanks for their fishing? Most of the rods I use are fast action so I'm not sure of the differences in performance.

I was thinking of trying a steelhead blank with this action for close range carp fishing - essentially pitching bolt rigs in the smaller stream/rivers we have here. I figured since most pitching/flipping rods are pretty stiff a extra-fast action rod would be the rod blank to use.

thanks
Tom.

I don't know what a "bolt rig" is, but an extra fast rod is more likely to throw soft baits like maggots and dough balls off the hook.

These are fairly subjective terms. All we know is that extra fast is faster than fast. But at what point would a faster action inhibit what you're trying to do? What you might want to look for would be a blank with a softer tip, which wouldn't necessarily be any faster than what you're using now, but the tip would load easier and there isn't likely to be much downside to the softness there. So you might look at live bait or hot shot blanks, both of which generally have very soft tips relative to the remainder of the rod.

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Thanks for the input and suggestions.

The "bolt rig" is simply a hook and sliding sinker (I use bell sinkers) set up but which has a limited amount of line for fish to take before feeling any resistance. For example, the sliding sinker is bracketed by two split shot six inches apart. The fish has then six inches of free line and then feels some weight and then bolts - that's the theory at least.

I'm using bollies and plastic corn on a hair rigs which are pretty durable and aren't being cast great distances. But I'll check out the live bait and hot shot blanks as suggested.

Thanks
Tom.

The 8 1/2 ft., two piece hot shot blanks just maybe what your looking for, they are not as abrupt tipped as the shorter versions, make a decent salmon drift rod where tender baits are thrown. Rainshadow has two models, the lure rate you see isn't as relavent as it is with the standard salmon/steelhead as far as the butt power the blank has available. More power is available from these blanks in the butt.

Tom are you fishing for what I'd call the normal range of carp size? Say 3-15 pounds? If so the Elliott E-SJ71M-XF Rod Blank would be a great carping blank for that size fish. Not that you couldn't catch a 20 bagger on it but more made for fish to 15 lbs. I fish too fish carp (I'm a dough ball guy) and this blank is really fast the first 12 inches or so then you have a about a foot of what I refer to as response or a tiny bit softer area then you get power. If you are fishing cover and or near heavy current this blank will have enough power to get control over most carp up to 10-12 pounds.

I'm surprised that a species-specific fisherman would seek tackle appropriate for an average sized specimen rather than a big one - "just in case"!!!

Caught one 51 lbs. in MI on a G Loomis HSR 1023 with few problems, reason I mentioned it. Was back in the mid 80's.

Concur the 8.5' Rainshadow hot-shot blank has plenty of power in the butt section, enough to handle any carp I've ever seen. And with a bow in NY I shot one that weighed 48 lbs. on a DEC scale.

Most of the carp in our area seem to be in the 10-15 pound range. I've seen some huge ones which are likely pushing 25-30 pounds but have never hooked one.

So far a 9'6" steelhead blank rated for 8-12 pounds and 10 pound test has worked for the fish I've been catching. For now carp fishing in just for fun, and I can use the same rod for steelhead. Not sure if I'd get the same mileage with a pure carp rod.