Choosing the Right Fishing Rod
You have just returned from the local bait and tackle shop with your head spinning. You had no idea that there was such a variety of fishing rods available and now you feel uncertain as to which rod is right for what you want. Before you headed off to hunt for a fishing rod, you would have been well served to be armed with some important information. Let’s talk about what makes a good fishing rod and what doesn’t.
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.
If you’re seeking that super special fishing rod to add to your growing collection, you’re not likely to be looking for a rod that is simply a backup to the one you normally use. Let’s face it, if it’s more than a backup, you’re looking for something different not something that’s commonplace. Drop-shooting finesse baits require a totally different rod than a rod that would be used for a pleasant, relaxing day of fishing with your children. Regardless of whether your idea of a relaxing day of fishing is fighting with a school of bluefish, trolling at sunset or working a heavy current for bass, you want to have the right rod.
Rod manufacturers have made it easy to determine what rods are suited to which tasks. If you look near the handle at the rod blank, you’ll see specifications about what line weight, lure weight and other information that will help you determine which rod is the rod you need to be working with. Fishing for bluefish will require a heavier line such as 20-lb test and fishing for medium sized bass will require something in the 10-lb test range. These labels will help you decide on the right rod for the fishing task ahead of you.
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.
If you are searching for a rod that will accommodate a heavier lure (1 1/3 oz or more) make sure you carefully review the rod specs. Failing to do so could result in problems casting – your line could snap off if you’ve purchased the wrong rod. A worst case scenario, you could find the tip of your rod vanish if the lure is too heavy. Rods that are thicker and heavier are designed to hold a bigger lure. So if you find that your rod seems a bit thin make sure you double check the lure specs before you cast!
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.
Choosing the correct rod is just as important as choosing the right reel. Some of the most popular reels are Shimano Spinning Reel and Daiwa Fishing Reels.
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