How To Select A Fishing Rod For Fishing

If you ever want to fish, your going to need a rod. Regardless if it is an old rod laying in the basement for years, you need to bring it out. Some may find it hard to choose if you want to buy a new one. There are many things that should go into consideration on how to select a fishing rod. Every fishing rod is different and unique. One may work better or worse for you depending on certain factors. You always want to make sure that the one you decide to get is versatile, durable, sensitive, and easy to use. There are many rods on the market that will suit your needs.

You always need to make sure that the one you are going to use works for you and your situation. This is important because there is such a variety. Not everything you ever find will work well in your hands. Few people other than yourself will care about how your rod performs on the water. Many people will have a good look at it if they are at the fishing spot with you though. Obnoxiously flashy rods that are designed to look pretty usually perform worse than those that are specifically designed for function and performance. You need to start asking yourself.

What features should you look for in a terrific fishing rod? Are you looking for one that will help you catch everything that bites? Are you looking for one that is specific to a certain fish species? Do you want the ability to transport it easily? Can you afford something more expensive? These are questions that need to be answered before you pick one up for yourself. You can find out what types of fishing require certain rods and rod components by doing a quick search on the internet. Your ability to answer these questions will ultimately impact which one is right for you.

Material

The material of the rod blank is easily one of the most important things to consider. The material the blank is made out of is absolutely crucial. All of the different materials used in modern rods are not created equal. Each material has a different molecular makeup which translates to vastly different performance. The different materials that rods are usually made of include graphite, fiberglass, and composites of both. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Graphite is usually the most sensitive rod and the most used. It is also a less durable option.

Its more prone to damage. It is also the most expensive. You will pay quite a lot for a good graphite fishing rod. On the other end of the blank spectrum, there is fiberglass. Fiberglass is less sensitive than graphite is but it is more durable. It also costs less. They hold up much better to damage and this can be a win. Last, there are composite blanks. They are a mixture of fiberglass and graphite. They are a healthy middle of the road. They cost more than pure fiberglass but less than pure graphite frames. They are also more sensitive than traditional fiberglass but less so than pure graphite. You can kind of get the best of both worlds.

Rod Type

Hands holding a spinning rod and reel above blue water.

What type of rod you should use is a topic that is debated nonstop within the fishing community. Should you use a spinning rod? Maybe you do not want to for a number of reasons. Maybe you just don’t like the way they feel in your hands. Maybe you are sick and tired of being sick and tired of all the line twist. Maybe you grew up without one in the home and you always went for a spincasting setup.  Maybe you just do not have the money for s spinning setup or just do not have the time to learn because you are always working. This is a debate that I hear often.

Maybe you should use a baitcaster rod because you want to catch bigger fish. Maybe you should ditch it all together to start fly fishing. That is something many of us are tired of hearing. We are going to put an end to that debate right here, right now. You can be successful and catch fish on a baitcaster, a spinning rod, a fly rod, a spincasting rod, or even an old cane pole. What you should use is your choice and do not let anybody else tell you otherwise. Use what you know. Both of them have their disadvantages and advantages. Try using what works.

Other than the way anglers look at them, there is not much of a difference between them all as it relates to your ability to catch fish. Keep in mind that baitcasters are harder to use but can haul in much heavier fish without damage. Spinning rods excel in throwing live bait rigs and casting very light lures. Spincasters work almost exactly like baitcasting setups from an angling perspective. You can catch crappie on baitcasters and you catch catch huge bass on live bait with a baitcaster or spincaster. To decide, you need to experiment and see which one you like best.

Length

There are so many different lengths of fishing rods. Some are only a few feet long and some of them are taller than you are. What exactly is the reason for it? The most important aspect of length is leverage. Leverage is a term used to describe how much fishing line the blank can manipulate as well as how far you can cast with it. Generally speaking, the longer the fishing rod, the further you can cast. This is very important if you fish saltwater because you can cast long distances when it matters most. Unless you need to cast a short distance, long casts help.

Next, there is the concept of hook penetration and setting the hook. With a longer rod, you get a much better hookup ratio and a much better hookset. There are also a few disadvantages to having a longer rod. First, there is the problem of transportation. Longer ones who always be harder to take in your car on your trip regardless if they are in a couple of pieces or not. Shorter ones also have there pros and cons. Smaller lengths can be especially helpful for accuracy.

They are much easier to load up and transport them from place to place without becoming cumbersome. Also, you can do more precise fishing with a shorter setup because you have more control of it. You do not get quite as good leverage on a shorter blank so the hookset is not as good although it still works. You cannot cast near as far if the blank is to short. This can be mitigated by using a lighter line. Even then, the distance is marginal and not extremely substantial. Most bass fishing models today are in the six to eight foot range.

Action

Unfortunately, there is no industry standard for what makes an action. They are all unique in their way. Every manufacturers has their own personal way that their blanks bend in comparison to other makers. Ever single one is a little bit different. Action refers to the rod’s flexibility when it is being pulled or under strain. It is not the same as power. There are certain labels that are affixed to actions. The faster the action is, the more the tip bends. It is also essential to have.

These actions are called slow action, moderate action, fast action, and extra fast action. The faster actions bend more because they are softer. It really describes where the blank will bend. This is important to understand because some fish have soft mouths that need to have the hook set very gently for you to catch them. On the other hand, fish such as sharks and catfish have extremely tough mouths that require a slower action to drive that hook in deep enough to work.

Power

Saltwater fisherman fighting a big fish on a boat in the ocean.

Power is another thing to consider heavily. Power is the blanks resistance to bending. Although that sounds similar to action, power and action are not the same thing at all. There are two completely different definitions to distinguish the two from each other. They are different. Power is how well it resist being bent under strain. Because of this, there are also labels for it to make it easier. Powers range from ultralight, light, medium-light, medium-heavy, heavy, and extra-heavy.

Every make and model in existence falls into one of those categories. Ultralight powers are typically used for bluegill, crappie, and perch. Heavy is usually used for pike, salmon, and striped bass fishing. Extra-heavy is the biggest tackle in the world and is used to haul in massive bluefin tuna, hammerhead sharks, and blue marlin when spooled up with incredibly heavy braided lines.

You can have a small rod for small fish without it bending a whole lot. You can also have a big rod for big fish with it bending a ton. You need to be sure the one you want to use is suited well to the size of fish you want to be catching. Landing big fish on incredibly light tackle is possible but very difficult. Using an appropriately sized setup will do the job much more efficiently.

Reel Seat

The reel seat is a topic that I believe is not talked about near as much as the many other components of the ideal fishing setup. The reel seat is the cavity by which the reel attaches itself to the fishing rod. Although this may not seem like a very important topic to consider when selecting a fishing rod, it is one of the most important ones you can even consider. The reel seat doesn’t just need to be durable and able to hold up to prolonged abuse over a length of time.

It also needs to be easy to use and functional for the angler. This goes for spinning, baitcasting, and spincasting reel seats. Many are made of plastic and some are not. Your reel seat needs to hug your reel to keep it in place so it doesn’t break off on a big fish but it also needs to be easily removable. You should try your best to go for a reel seat that screws down. These provide the most insurance when you have a good fish on. Always make sure you have a good reel seat.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is the feature you need to have in every rod. With more sensitivity, you can detect more bites. This ultimately translates into you catching more fish. Sensitivity is really the feature you want in any good setup. A rod with poor sensitivity will really hinder your success. Graphite blanks are the most sensitive out of all of them. Sensitivity does not just refer to how well the rod lets you feel bites. It also translates into how well the reel handle transfers feeling into your hands. As the price goes up, so does how well you can detect bites, although not always.

If you have a blank made from graphite, you have the highest chance of detecting that strike when it happens. The sensitivity of graphite is the best. It is what you want to use when you are trying to catch light biters. After that, you have fiberglass rods which are not as good at detecting light bites at all. These are the least sensitive option and are recommended for power when you are catching big fish. Don’t use them for crappie fishing or anything similar to it.

Composite rods are more sensitive than pure fiberglass ones because manufacturers mixed fiberglass with grahite in the building process. While you can detect bites better than with pure fiberglass, it is not as efficient as pure graphite. Your sensitivity is important when you are catching little fish or are fishing very slow moving baits. Being able to feel when the fish pulls will give you an edge in tournament fishing because trophy sizes love to bite very gently.

Price

There is a drastic difference in prices between makes and models. Depending on your budget, you can get better or worse equipment. More expensive gear does not necessarily mean better gear. Less expensive gear does not necessarily mean poorer quality. Like everything in this sport, budget friendly rods have their advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of brand names, a cheaper rod is always going to bend more than on more expensive. More expensive models do come in versions that have the same, but for cheaper ones, its built in. There are differences.

The higher you move up in price, they are going to become much lighter in weight and much easier to use. This can be especially important if you have arthritis, an injury, or have limited strength and mobility. The higher up you go, the rods get much faster in their action. The most important thing that you need to remember before choosing one is that you do not need expensive gear. You came fishing to have fun and you can easily do that on a modest budget.

Before you go with a more expensive setup, you must consider value. How much value will you get out of purchasing it? The value has to be there to justify the price. For someone with a disability, having that higher end model can make a world of difference in reducing pain and fatigue. If you are someone who wants to spend a few hundred on a single piece, you should do it, especially if you will be tournament fishing with it and reimbursing yourself for the money.

Conclusion

Now you know almost everything that you should know about how to select a fishing rod. There are many lengths, types, materials, actions, and powers. Picking one correctly is already difficult enough but knowing how to pick a good stick for you will make it easier. The key thing to remember is that rod selection is as important as lure selection if not more.

Always make sure that you pick the right one for the situation you will be fishing. Nobody can decide what works for you but you. You do not need to invest a lot of money or precious time to do it right. If you like this post, make sure to share it to show your support. Leave a comment below and tell us what your method to choose the right one is.

 

6 thoughts on “How To Select A Fishing Rod For Fishing”

    • Hello. For crappie fishing, we suggest a 9 – 11 foot ultralight spinning rod spooled up with 4 to 6 pound test monofilament or flourocarbon line. This will allow you cast jigs, shoot docks, and fish brush piles!

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    • We are glad that you enjoyed the post. If it helps you out, consider sharing it. (You don’t have to, but it is appreciated)

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  1. Amazing info. This blog provided very good information. I did not know anything about it before. I learned a lot about reading your blog. I am very happy to know that you have researched about it. Thanks for sharing this great blog.

    Reply
    • Thank you for the very kind feedback Lucas! We are glad you found the information helpful! If you need anything, let us know. We hope to hear from you again soon.

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