of a rod represent. Regular, fast and extra fast? Is there one that is preferred over the other for an all around rod or are the bait specific?

Bait specific.

Regular or moderate is better for moving baits. I like F and XF for bottom type baits or larger single hook type deals.

Rod action represents where the rod bends. It is another word for rod taper, or how quickly the rod goes from fat to thin. An Extra fast rod bends only in the very tip and gets thick very quickly. A Moderate action rod has a parabolic bend form the tip to the butt with a very gradual increase in thickness as the shaft progresses to the reel seat.

Rod weight/power on the otherhand is how much "backbone" or force the rod has essentially. A light/ultralight is obviously going to be very whippy. A Medium light will be very supple, a Medium will have a semi firm character when fishing most baits within range specified on the blank but will still load very well when playing fish, a Medium Heavy or heavy/extra heavy will progress more towards being a broom stick with only the heaviest lures/lures that push most water causing them to waver, and drag in all but the largest fish without bowing much.

But in short, Action is the taper, how quickly it bends XF being the very tip, moderate being all the way to the butt, with fast and moderate fast between. Power/weight is the thickest part of the rod size, how much strength the rod has essentially, is going to be greater moving from light to medium to heavy.

Typically each is designed with a particular bait in mind... The difference in action will give you a "Softer tip", Stiffer tip, softer action in the middle of the rod or a firmer action in the middle of the rod. Go to Cabelas, grab a couple of your favorite brand, without looking at the "action" description. Hold in the upright position in your hand as if you were about to cast it, the lay the tip on the floor, and apply pressure downwards. See where the rod bends and at what point along the blank, how stiff did it feel? Where did it give? where did it not give? Now, look at the "Action" description. This will help you understand what each one means.
Fast action means nothing to me, until I press it on the ground and see that it bends around the 5 eye with little pressure vs the 2nd eye under the same pressure(Stiffer rod)

This is kind of a dummy test, apply what you learned to what you know on the water. Can you throw a trap a mile with a really stiff action rod? or would you want to pull a 4 pounder out of a tree with a super flexible rod?

I use Falcon rods, so the description is Heavy, Medium Heavy or Medium... some of the other brands get a little confusing. Medium heavy is your go too for most applications, but this can be too stiff for say a shaky head, and too light weight for a frog, etc.

When do you like an XF action better than a F action, for what technique?

Each manufacturers powers are different
Gotta find the ones that fit what you want

I like a rod power scale verses an action

Flipping and pitching. Also great for jigs and t-rigs. But, then again, the speed of a rod is still relative to the power of the rod. An extra fast ultra light isn't good for jigs. Lol.

The power of the rod is kinda the bigger decision. You have to buy what suits the bait and line size. Then get the speed to accommodate the lure type.

Lures that require a big, quick hook set benefit from a faster speed taper. Gets to the back bone I the rod quicker. Lures that are cranked rather fast, like traps and cranks, benefit a slower tip. It helps to keep from yanking the bait from the fishes mouth. Remember, the baits already moving fairly quick. So ripping the rod back can accelerate the bait right out of the basses mouth. But, when fishing heavy cranks, you would still need a heavier rod. With a slower action.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/guides/rodselection.html


try reading this, and watching Gene Jenson's video on rod action on youtube may also help, after you've read that and have some understanding so you can follow it better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9EnmzLErj4

Thank you for all the help! It makes a lot more sense now.