Are you a professional fisherman or just an amateur angler? Whatever your answers may be, I’m sure that we all believe choosing the right fishing rod is the first step to a fruitful fishing trip.
To be honest, purchasing a new rod is both a wonderful and daunting experience as there are a wide variety of fishing rods out there. However, with our exceptional and helpful tips on how to choose a fishing rod in today’s article, you should have no difficulty getting one for yourself.
So, without further ado, let’s get started and dig deeper into all the necessary information.
Contents
What To Know Before Choosing A Fishing Rod?
Which fishing rod is suitable? Short or long? Graphite, fiberglass, or both? If you are new to fishing, don’t panic. Almost all new anglers have to make decisions for such issues.
However, even a few experienced fishermen sometimes have trouble choosing a new rod. To avoid getting caught in these scenarios, answer these two questions:
- Where will you be fishing?
- What type of bait will you be using?
After you know the exact answer to the above questions, it will be much easier to match fishing rod kinds and applications.
Understanding the elements that make up a vital piece of fishing gear can help you choose the correct rod for the catch, whether you’re selecting a fishing rod for a newbie or a more advanced one.
- If you are just a beginner, understand the following 2 main factors of a fishing rod: flexibility and strength. Stronger rods can cast larger lures and bait, but they won’t be as responsive to mild fish strikes or be able to flex and function effectively with a light line. Meanwhile, lighter rods are more sensitive, but they are not robust enough to handle larger fish.
- Rods come in a variety of lengths as well. Shorter rods are popular for trolling and large game fishing because they provide more power when fighting a fish. In contrast, long rods can be cast further and are available in lengths up to 14 feet. For more straightforward transport, these rods can be disassembled into up to four pieces. Most rods are one piece up to around 6 feet in length.
In addition, fishing rods also vary in materials, length, kinds of fishing water, and prices, so you can base on these criteria to pick up your favorite one.
How To Choose A Fishing Rod For Newbie: 4 Factors To Consider
1. Length
When buying a new rod, one of the first things you should consider is the length. Rod length refers to the distance between the end of your handle and the tip of your rod, and it has a significant impact on your casting ability.
Rods range in length from 4–14 feet and include anything from sturdy close-quarter fishing rods to lengthy casting poles. Because these extremes come with several trade-offs, it’s critical to match your rod to the type of fishing you’ll be doing.
The length of your rod has a significant impact on how far you can cast. Shorter models are also more bendable than lengthier options, which can benefit when fighting fish.
At the same time, longer fishing rods excel at casting long distances; they are ideal for covering more water and fishing deeper.
Besides, longer rods allow for longer casts, but they’re also more challenging to maneuver. On the other hand, shorter rods will enable you to control and limit how far you can throw the line. As a result, most anglers feel that a 7′ fishing pole is a decent all-around choice for novices.
2. Purposes & techniques
When deciding between saltwater and freshwater fishing rods for your angling adventures, think about the fishing techniques you’ll be using. Then, after you’ve considered the method, look at the size and strength of your target species to choose the right rod power.
Certain saltwater fish (such as marlin or sharks) can weigh hundreds of pounds, requiring saltwater rods to be significantly thicker and heavier than freshwater rods.
Fiberglass is used to make heavy offshore saltwater rods because it is more durable. These rods are usually classified as slow to medium action.
In general, the slower the action, the more a rod flexes. Spinning, bait-casting, trolling, and jigging rods are the most common types of saltwater fishing rods.
Graphite, or a composite of fiberglass and graphite (referred to as composite), is used in many freshwater and inshore saltwater fishing rods, making them lighter and more sensitive.
In addition, rapid or exceptionally fast action rods are made of graphite or composite materials. Spinning, baitcasting, closed-face spin casting, transportable telescopic, and ultra-light freshwater fishing rods are the most common types.
3. Material
Fishing rods are usually made of graphite, fiberglass, or the mixture of these two. Rod materials dramatically impact performance; therefore, deciding which one to use will significantly impact your fishing success. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Graphite rods:
Graphite rods have the advantage of being extremely sensitive to biting. This, along with the reduced weight, can make casting and handling a breeze. In addition, graphite rods are often lighter and stiffer than fiberglass rods.
But these rods aren’t all rainbows and sunshine. Graphite rods are more brittle than steel rods because they are stiffer. Another disadvantage is the cost, which is often higher than a fiberglass rod of the same quality. Moreover, they also tend to break more easily.
On the other hand, they’re more sensitive because of their brittle texture and lighter weight, and they’re usually better at detecting light bites.
- Fiberglass rods:
Fiberglass fishing rods have been around for a long time in the angling industry. These rods are tough and durable, and they can withstand a lot of abuse. They’re also simple to create, which makes them reasonably priced. In addition, the thicker fiberglass rods have a lot more flexibility, and some of them are practically unbreakable.
- Combination of both materials:
Combinations of both materials are common in rods, and for the angler who fishes in a variety of locales and situations, the mixture is excellent.
Composite fishing poles made up of graphite and fiberglass provide all the flexibility you need without adding much weight or sacrificing sensitivity. This is how you get a 100-test lbs line to work on a 20–30 lbs frame rod in layman’s terms.
Composite rods are a fantastic choice if you’re used to fishing a range of different waterways because of their versatility. Composite rods are, as you might assume, the most expensive option. However, there’s no doubting that they bring the fish aboard; the question is whether the additional cost is worth it to you.
4. Rod power
The power is the amount of force required to bend the fishing rod. A rod with more power (also known as taper or weight) bends more easily.
To get your baits to perform effectively, you need the right blend of power and action. The stronger the backbone, the less likely it is to bend. For fishing, you’ll need a more powerful pole.
Lightweight rods are better for smaller fish like trout and panfish because they bend more and allow you to detect a bite more readily.
Moderate-power rods are great for using with reaction baits like crankbaits, jerk baits, or spinnerbaits, as well as finesse presentations that don’t require breaking the line.
Jigs, topwaters, frogs, and anything else that requires minor bend in the rod are best suited to heavier power rods.
FAQs
How much does it cost for a good fishing rod?
A new fishing rod will cost, on average, roughly USD 203 for a high-quality model but will vary between $30 and $550.
You can certainly spend more money, but this appears to be the average price for the most popular models. Of course, if your budget is a little tighter, you can always look for a used fishing rod. A second-hand reel should cost around half as much as a new one.
Does a good fishing rod matter?
A high-quality rod indeed makes a difference. More sensitivity, graphite construction, and longer rods are available for an additional cost, allowing us to cast further, control fish better, and drop our bait with pinpoint accuracy.
When buying a rod, aim to match lures, species, and types of lures as much as possible. Trolling rods, jigging rods, casting rods, and even rods that work best with plastics are all available.
What’s the difference between a fishing pole and a fishing rod?
What most people in North America call “fishing poles” are actually fishing rods.
A fishing rod is anything that has line guides, a reel seat, and a reel attached to it and is used to cast lures. The tip of a fishing pole, on the other hand, is linked to the line. They’re designed for placing bait in a quiet and precise manner.
Conclusion
For your next angling adventure, having the appropriate fishing rod can help you get the most out of your cast. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how to choose a fishing rod correctly, and you now feel more prepared for your next trip to the local fishing store.
With this information, I am sure that you will select the ideal fishing rod for your requirements. If the information above is helpful for you, don’t forget to share it with your friends!