Is the fishing rod that you just bought, not working for you, or are you planning on learning fishing skills and have no clue what to look for in selecting fishing rods? Fishing isn’t just about purchasing any rod, combining with any lure and having fish striking at your bait. Your gear or tackle combination is essential.
You have to feel when the fish strike, you need to be able to reel in the catch, and one needs to sense where your lure is passing. All these and much more are critical to becoming an expert angler. Learn how to choose fishing rod below.
What to look while choosing different type of Fishing Rods
Understanding the different vocabularies used with fishing rods is essential to helping you pick a rod that will work for you. Here is what you will need to look for:
Rod Action
If you had experienced an opportunity to engage with skilled fishermen and observed the define the kind of rod that they’re using, you could have heard this term. The amount of bending a rod can do when pressure is applied to its tip is called its rod action.
A heavy action rod, turns slightly, i.e. close to the tip of the rod whereas a light action rod will bend close to the butt of the rod. Some may refer to it as fast, medium or slow action, with a fast-action being similar in meaning to heavy-action.
Different rods are suitable for various fishing techniques and will have different rod action. For example, a rod suited for fly fishing that is fast action will bend with ease than a similar fishing rod meant for bass fishing.
Length and weight of the rod
How long your fishing rod is, will influence your casting distance and weight of bait that you can use efficiently. Its length is measured from the tip of the rod to its butt. If you choose a shorter rod (lengthwise), your casting distance will be limited to short distances, and you will only be able to use a light lure.
They will also give you better manipulation especially if you are into chasing after big fish. A long rod has an added advantage of enabling you cast long distances and using heavy lures. You will find that fly fishing rods are long.
As for the weight, it may be either, a statement of the weight of line to use, i.e. pound test, or, it could be an indicator of the heaviness of lure that you can carry, with that particular rod.
Material Used
The materials used in building fishing rods vary significantly much like the business entities who manufacture them. You can acquire fishing rods made of graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of both.The graphite rods are wonderful if you’ve been looking for sensitivity.
Graphite rods are sensitive, light, stiff and expensive. On the other hand, fiberglass fishing rods are heavier, flexible and harder to break as compared to the graphite one.
Different Types of Fishing Rods Known to Fishing Enthusiasts
​Ice Fishing Rods
​If you have ever been ice fishing before, you have realized that one does not need the long fishing rods that you typically use in open water. Most ice fishing rods are as long as about 40 inches. Longer rods are suitable for targeting big fish such as salmon or trout. However, they may not come in handy in small fish.
The medium length rods are around 24 to 36 inches and are suitable for chasing walleye. Look for a fishing rod shorter than 24 inches if you have been aiming for even the smallest fish. In terms of rod action, big fish are best caught with slow rods, although this really depends on the size of the fish you’re after.
Spinning Rods
​This type of fishing rod is suitable for beginners in angling, and even several avid anglers prefer them. As a first time buyer, what should you look for in one? An ideal spinning rod is one that is durable, has high quality and performs well.
Because its composition affects the rod’s overall flexibility, it is the first thing to examine. Rods manufactured from fiberglass or a combination of graphite and fiberglass will exhibit greater flexibility compared to those fabricated just from graphite. Fiberglass Spinning rods are slightly thick, durable and rarely breaks.
​Musky Rods
Have you chased musky before? Well if you have then you are aware of their violence. You cannot reel them in quickly without them put up quite a fight. There are specific fishing rods made specifically for muskies.
Such fishing rods are thick, strong and sturdy to be able to withstand the fight by the musky. Look for a musky rod made of graphite and more so, superior graphite. Superior Graphite makes it durable and sturdy; all these attributes are suitable when fishing for muskies.A heavy rod is also necessary; most anglers prefer medium heavy rods that are around 7 to 9’.​
​Crappie Rods
When shopping for a crappie rod, you need to understand which features that are necessary for crappie fishing. The number one feature is the sensitivity of the fishing rod.
There are various features of the fishing rod that affect its sensitivityincluding material used to make the fishing rod and its handle. The material and handle of the fishing rod affect its sensitivity. You should go for a crappie rod that you feel comfortable gripping at it. It should not be very fragile.
A sensitive fishing rod has the edge of making you able to feel even those slight bites from crappie.​
​​Fly Fishing Rods
​In fly fishing, your efficiency in casting is vital. Your choice of fly line will have an effect on how far you will cast and also on the distance. Using a heavy fly line will enable you to cast longer distances.
The length of your fly fishing rod will determine the weight of the line that you can use and also how far you can cast. On the other hand, short rods are suitable when you are looking for quick and precise casting. When going for high flexibility, then a fly rod of slow action is the one for you.
​Inshore Spinning Rods
Are you a novice angler and don’t know which fishing rod to start out using? You should consider purchasing an inshore spinning rod. It works great when fishing shallow waters. Depending on your preference, an ideal inshore spinning rod is of, medium action as it has an even distribution of weight.
Also, you should look at how easy it is to transport your fishing rod. For easy transportation, a two or three piece fishing rod will be ideal. For balance as you fish, the weight of the fishing rod matters. A lightweight fishing rod will ensure your balance.
​Frog Rods
With so many varieties of bait casting rods available in the market, settling for a single fishing rod to buy can be tasking. A quick action rod is stiffer and more sensitive.
Purchasing a high-quality, effortless-to-cast fishing rod is essential for frog fishing. That suggests that if you want to avoid having a hurting back after a fishing trip, you should choose a frog fishing rod with the appropriate adjustment. Recall to use a workhorse reel when fitting your fishing rod.​
JerkBait Rods
If on a particular day you choose to use jerkbait as your lure, then you need to be able to combine it with an ideal jerkbait fishing rod that will produce your intended presentation of the bait. You need to have a great fishing rod with high power, preferably of medium to medium heavy action.
The fishing rod’s design can also influence your preferred fishing spots. Make sure the fishing spot is appropriate for the rod you’re planning to use. If you are chasing bass in the shallows, you should go for a fishing rod that belongs to the floating Model family.​
​Jig Rods
For a jigging rod, the strength of the fishing rod is essential. You should opt for one made of sturdy material as you want your fishing rod to be able to catch fish even in moving streams. These fishing rods are usually heavy therefore they are not suitable for throwing lures.
In addition to the above attributes, they are also able to hold heavy lures. When your target is deep fishing at under 200 feet then jig rods are selected by fishers and fishing enthusiasts. Fish species which you are wanting to target also tell you that is this rod helpful to you or not while applying your techniques.
​Surf Rods
Do you want to cast long distance or fish a saltwater? Well, you need to invest in a surf rod. Since they are suitable for casting long distances, the flexibility of the rod is necessary. These rods are usually lightweight with a spinning reel fitted to it.
They are known for their ease of operation and may be ideal for novices and kids inclusive. A surf rod allows you to fish and cast from the shore of the waters that you are fishing. You can catch both big and small fish using it.
Similar to other fishing rods, the casting distance of a surf rod depends on its length. The longer the rod, the further you can cast.​
​Telescopic Fishing Rods
There are days when you are not sure if you want to go fishing but still want to be prepared if you have a change of mind. On such days, you may consider carrying with you a telescopic fishing rod. They are lightweight and thus won’t weigh you down.
How do you select an ideal fishing rod? When looking for a telescopic fishing rod, choose one that has a balance between strength and its flexibility. If you are going for big fish, a short fishing rod gives you more power whereas if you want to cast long distances, then a longer rod will do.​
​​Drop Shot Rods
If you are a bass angler enthusiast, the chances are that you may have practiced or simply heard of the drop shot fishing technique. The method involves adding weight at the end of your fishing line some distance from where your hooks are.
Using this technique, you will only require using a medium action rod. You can always switch the distance between the weight and your hook. Find out what works for the bass on that particular day.
You can fish using the drop shot technique in any weather and get a considerable number of strikes.​
Flipping Rods
Do you practice flipping as you chase bass? What is the suitable flipping rod, you may ask? The length of the rod to use will depend on your build and the size of fish that you are targeting. If you are targeting big fish and at the same time have a big build, a long rod will work for you.
You should also look into the flexibility of the tip of your fishing rod. A flexible tip makes the lure appear more natural during the presentation. Also, consider the rod’s grip. Most anglers opt for a rod with split grip as they are easy to handle without slipping.​
Tenkara Rods
The fishing rod got its name from the Japanese. This technique practiced in Japan in fly fishing. It comes with a line and flies. It is a simple method that has a growing following even in other nations.
A short Tenkara rod will give you good precision. If you are starting out in fly fishing and would like to try out a Tenkara rod, go for one of 12 inches. They also have different power just like other fishing rods which vary from soft action to hard action.
Your choice of Tenkara rod will depend on your preference.​
​Ultralight Spinning Rods
An ultralight spinning rod is suitable for both novices and expert anglers. If you prefer having casting precision in a confined area and would like to use long fishing lines, then this is the fishing rod to use. They are easy to use, flexible and light.
A very flexible fishing rod is less prone to breaking. Choose one that has high resistance to corroding. Check to see if, its guides composed of stainless steel. It is the material that is resistant to rusting.​
​Crankbait Rods
Do you prefer crankbaits as your go-to lures? Your choice of an ideal crankbait rod should have the following properties. A crankbait rod has a lip at the tip, and also have big hooks that come in a set.
Look at the action as it is important, for making long casts, you should opt for a long fishing rod. Most fishing rods suitable for using a crankbait are between 6 to 8 feet long. You should also consider fitting your rod with a reel that allows for a high line capacity to be able to brave the winds.​
Conclusion
You can dramatically enhance your probability to choose the best fishing rod for your needs by getting acquainted yourself with all the different phrases used to describe them. Which rod will be most effective with your desired lure, reel, fishing location, etc. is something to keep in mind.​
