how stiff do rods really need to be ?

[mardenq]

old thread I know but interesting read. 30 odd years ago I used a conolex flick tip from temples for all my fishing,used it off the pipe-crawlys-island-all the beaches .in the river and over the mull,and it was a rod used by loads of lads for the same,there was a lot more fish around and a lot of bigger fish then,there wasn't the choice there is now in rods but it done everthing I needed and a lot more from the top anglers then,give one to someone now for heavy ground and they would laugh at you.its the rods that's changes peoples views,the kelp ,heavy ground ect is still the same and the older rods caught as many if not more fish from these areas

[chunk]

rods

Excellent post great read and replies personally I think it's a confidence thing having a super stiff rod and being able to give the fish some stick Will help especially in comps when you need the fish out the kelp(close in work) downside 80% of anglers can't use these rods to there full potential when the fish are at distance ( can't bend them ) I don't own a poker as I couldn't bend one.one think I would never do is buy a rod without trying one because it's 500 quid and has a name on.One rod which I believe would of been the best ever rough ground rod / seller if it didn't snap was the greys srx it had everything

[hound hunter]

my m8 still uses his old abu 484 cork handle,metal ring jobbie,uses it with the diawa tournament 6000(the carpers old fav)uses thin diam mono,n although the rod is a floppy affair sends a bait out a silly distancehe loves it....

Imho too many anglers think that if they don't have the latest casting pole(more stiffer the better)that they can't catch fish,or will not be seen dead on the beach with a"fishing rod"

[Philthebag]

It all depends on the persons ability and marks i like a really stiff rod on the cliffs as i hate hand balling fish, i am using a slightly softer rod with braid but its all a personal choice and i struggle casting softer rods. But nearly all my fishing is done in heavy ground or tidal marks over heavy ground, i have experimented with softer rods and there not for me i know rods are designed to bend but personal choice i dont like them to bend to much lol