Quality is key when choosing a fishing rod, but so is the rod type. When assembling your angling setup, you will need to have to good understanding on almost all aspects of your fishing expedition.
Fishing rod selection process can be a little overwhelming especially if you are doing it for the first time.
This article will highlight a few considerations necessary for an almost perfect fishing rod selection. Less is more, so we will just dive right into it.
What’s the Right Length?
Length is amongst the most crucial aspects to consider. Fishing rods range between 4-14 feet depending on the type you go with. There will always be some trade-offs with these extremes, so you will need to understand clearly the type of fishing you are considering.
For starters, rod length largely determines how far you will cast. Longer rods will make it possible for you to cast longer, although they are not the easiest to maneuver. On the other hand, shorter rods are easier to control, but they will limit you on how far you will throw your line.
Let us take an example of an underwater structure fishing from a kayak. Since you do not really need to cast far in this kind of fishing, a 5-7’ rod is good for you. Apart from easy controllability, shorter rods are quite powerful if you are going for the large fish.
If you are just wading, a longer rod is a real life-saver. Although they seem like a lot of work swinging these rods, you can be able to make seriously long casts.
For the newbies, you might have to consider a 7’ fishing pole.
What is the Right Rod Material?
Most fishing rods are made of graphite, fiberglass, and composite (a blend of graphite and fiberglass).
Rod materials determine how well the rod will perform, so you need to get the material part correctly. Let us look at these material types separately.
Fiberglass Rods
These fishing rods have been around for ages, and have proved themselves quite reliable. Since they are strong and enduring, fiberglass fishing rods can really take a beating. What is more, they are easy to make and quite affordable.
However, fiberglass rods provide limited feedback and are relatively heavy.
Graphite Rods
Graphite rods have been in existence since the 1970s. These rods are quite lighter compared to their fiberglass counterparts.
The stiffness of these rods is determined by markings such as IM6, IM7, and IM8, with more modulus signifying more stiffness. The stiffer the material, the lighter the rod will be.
The greatest thing about the graphite rods is their high sensitivity to bites. This, along with their light weight, make both the casting and the general handling of the rod quite enjoyable.
However, the brittleness that accompanies stiff rods means that it is not all sunshine and rainbows with the graphite rods.
Composite Rods
These rods are for the anglers who go after performance above everything else.
A mixture of fiberglass and graphite provide a better flexibility without adding too much weight or compromising sensitivity.
Do you Prefer Slow, Medium, or Fast Action?
Another major fishing pole’s key performance component to consider before you shop all fishing gear is the intended action. Action will control the speed in which the rod will go. Indeed, fast, medium, and slow designations are all determined by the action.
Fast (Heavy) Action
Fast action is inclined to bend at the uppermost part, just a few inches below the tip. Even the slightest of nibbles are enough to send vibrations right to your hand.
Since fast rods can snap back quite quickly, they are the best for powerful hook settings.
A fast action rod has a strong backbone which allows you to pursue large fish.
Medium Action
These action rods bend in upper half of the pole. Apart from providing a powerful hook-setting capabilities, medium action rods allow you to cast decently far. The slow movements in medium rods allow you to use multiple-hook set-ups.
Slow (Light) Action
The slow action rods are bendable all the all the way to back of the rod, and they make battling quite fun. If Panfish an Trout are your favorite fish, these rods are definitely worth your consideration
What is the Right Rod Power?
Power is the fishing rod’s ability to withstand pressure. As you can probably guess, heavier rods are preferred for larger fish while the lighter ones do better when targeting smaller ones.
Conclusion
As you can already tell, knowing how to choose the right fishing rod will not come easy. The good news is that you can avoid most selection mistakes if you are clear about what you need the rod for. We hope this article will make your next fishing rod shopping a little bit easier.
