Action refers to the amount of bend a rod has when pressure is applied to the tip.
Extra Fast –The rod only bends at the tip.
Fast – The rod will bend in the top third or less of the rod blank.
Moderate Fast – A blend between Fast and Moderate actions, the rod will bend between the top third and half of the rod.
Moderate – The rod will bend in the top half of the rod blank.
Slow – The rod will begin to bend in the lower third of the rod blank.
Rod Length
Rod Length is the distance from the rod butt to the rod tip.
Rod Power
Rod Power describes rod strength, which correlates directly with recommended line and lure ratings. Rod Power varies by style of rod. For example, a Medium Heavy inshore rod is different than a Medium Heavy surf rod.
Extra Heavy Heavy Medium Heavy Medium Medium Light Light
Number of Pieces
Rods come in one-piece, two-piece, and multi-piece variations. One-piece rods provide the most sensitivity and durability, while multi-piece rods are convenient and necessary for storage and travel.
Reel Size
Conventional Reels are sized to hold 300 yards of monofilament line at the lb./test indicated by the size.
Example: a conventional reel in size 15 holds approximately 300 yards of 15 lb. test monofilament line.
Spinning Reel sizes vary by manufacturer. To best understand the size of a PENN spinning reel, refer to the line capacity rating for the reel. Size standards are consistent across PENN spinning reels.
PENN International reels have a unique sizing system.
Braking System
Centrifugal Braking is a physical, friction-based braking system. The faster the spool spins, the more braking pressure is applied.
Magnetic Braking is an externally adjustable braking system. This system applies a constant force throughout the cast, determined by the magnets’ proximity to the spool.
Gear Ratio
Conventional Reels - Gear ratio describes how many spool rotations completed with one full rotation of the handle.
Spinning Reels - Gear ratio describes how many rotor rotations completed with one full rotation of the handle.