Choosing the Right Fishing Rod
Before you start scouring the internet or heading off to your local fishing rod retailer, you might want to review some information about the vast array of fishing rods you are likely to encounter. Don’t find yourself standing and staring at rows and rows of rods and wondering which one is the right one for you. Before you buy, find out what qualities make a good rod and which ones you can stay away from.
Like many other things, overpriced fishing rods don’t guarantee quality. Many seasoned fishermen find that a good quality graphite rod with a decent warranty can be purchased from a reputable manufacturer for less than one hundred dollars. Before you start separating your money from your wallet to invest in a rod, let’s take a look at how you plan to use the rod and what qualities you need.
The next step is to think about the purpose you intend the rod to fulfill. Is it simply a second rod that should match the first, or are you looking for a rod to add to your collection to devote solely to drop-shotting small finesse baits? Perhaps you require a rod for catching striped bass in heavy current, where 1 lb. of lead is necessary in order to get your bait down to the bottom. These are issues that should affect your choice for the right rod for the job.
Rod specifications are fortunately not a mystery. In fact, the facts about your rod are printed at the rod blank which is located near the handle of the rod. This label will include information such as lure size, line weight and other information that will help you make a sound decision before you purchase a rod. Bluefish require a heavier line – something in the 20-lb test range and medium sized bass fishing something much lighter – more in the 10-lb range. Keeping these things in mind will help you find the perfect fishing rod.
Another consideration that you will want to review before purchasing a rod is the type of line you’ll be using. As mentioned previously, rod manufacturers include line weight on the sides, but these labels are specific to monofilament line. If you intend to use a braided line don’t forget that a standard 12-15 pound monofilament is equivalent to a 50-pound braided line and purchase your rod accordingly. Don’t buy a rod rated for 50-lb line if you are planning on using a 50-lb braided line as a rod that will hold a 15-lb monofilament will serve the same purpose.
Rod ratings also include information about lure weights. The heavier the rod, the larger the lure it will hold. If you purchase a rod that is designed to hold a lure not more than 1/4 of an ounce and you try putting a 1 1/3 ounce lure on it, what’s like likely to happen is you’re going to break the tip of your rod off (or best case, just break your line on casting). Remember, the heavier the lure your rod is labeled for the thicker in diameter it will be and the heavier it will be.
The last thing to dwell on is the rod’s length. This should be comparatively simple for you to understand. A quick solution is that if you’re fishing out of a boat, select a rod no more than 8 feet long. They quickly become uncontrollable. If you’re fishing from the shoreline along a trout stream, you will probably need a shorter rod to help you cast from between the trees on the bank. If you’re fishing from the shoreline on a large river (or from the surf) and have to cast long distances, find something in the 9–12 ft area.
There are definitely other factors that could come up, and some fishing applications have need of more involved levels of decision-making. However, these central considerations will let you speedily perfect your hunt for the ideal rod. You can make use of this method to shop for rods in your local fishing retail store or even on the Internet and feel certain that you are making the right selection for your fishing needs.
After purchasing your fishing rod you will want to make sure you have the proper fishing reel to use with it. Some of the most popular reels on the market are Penn Reel, Shimano Spinning Reel, and Daiwa BG90.