The right fishing rod is a great fishing asset. There is a large percentage of fishermen that think more about their fishing gear than about fishing itself. If you are one of those, you will not experience enlightenment through this article. But if you are about to pick your first fishing baitcaster rod or just need support to find the right one, there are some things you could find useful.
The first tip is to start with the classic 2 sections, graphite spinning rod. The distribution, variety, the versatility of these rods are unbeatable, so be sure to know them before checking the other kinds of cool rods that are usable in some more specific situations.
Fishing Rod Selection Pointers
Rod Power and Rod Action
You should learn what rod specs mean. Fishing rod power is measured by casting weight (CW). Casting weight is the weight range of lures your rod was designed to cast. The majority of rods also have marks in their names, so you can learn about power before checking the specs and you can choose between ultra-light, light, medium-light, heavy and extra heavy.
Borders between these categories are not clearly set, so some manufacturers can label 20g c.w. as ultra-light rod, while others will insist that maximum c.w. for ultralight should be up to 5g. Casting weight is often mistaken for a rod’s action. And this is a tricky topic, because rod action itself, years ago was used to describe the curve that a rod makes when it’s bent. Under a load of fish or lure retrieve, different sections of the rod are working.
So we have rods that have “tip action”, moderate, parabolic, and everything between. A modern interpretation of rod action refers to the speed with which the rod returns to its neutral position. These characters work together and they are both important when you are choosing the rod for you, so be sure that, after you check the right c.w. for casting and dragging your lures, curve bending will affect your casting length, lure control, and fish handling when it is hooked, and rod speed is closely bonded with rod sensitivity. The bigger the casting weight + faster the rod response and curve closer to the tip – the rod will be stiffer.
When you are checking these parameters in the shop, be sure to try them by shaking the rod, but also bend the rod with the fishing line that is going through the guides, because the distribution of guides along with the rod blank also defines the rod action. It is also a cool opportunity to check the rod balance with the reel and the overall feeling in your hands.
Rod Length and Weight
Usual rod length for freshwater spinning situations varies between 6’ and 11’. Shorter rods, in general, are lighter, have a better balance, they make some techniques like twitching, jerking, etc. easier to do, they are more practical to use in boats, under the trees, in small waters like brooks and ponds, while longer rods cast a bit further, allow you to get some angles in lure presentation that can get you more fish in some situations, so they are a good solution for fishing from shores, on big rivers and lakes.
The shorter rods are best for a baitcaster rod. Things you have to pay attention to are the proportion of the handle and the working section of the rod. The longer the handle, the better balance you have, but less working section. The balance of the rod affects your comfort zone while fishing. Please notice that you have to adjust the weight of the rod and reel to get a perfect balance.
Well, a balanced yet heavier set can be more comfortable than a lighter but unbalanced set. Note that heavier rods, that have “more meat” in blanks, usually are more reliable, while light rods with thin walls of blank, while giving extra pleasure during fishing, asks for some extra care in handling.
Short Overlook on Materials
Graphite/carbon baitcaster rods are made of carbon fiber composite, and their characteristics depend on the shape of the rod, type of fiber winding, percentage of resin in composite, and additional materials. Glass fibers, kevlar, and boron are often used to improve carbon strength. Don’t get confused about the material specification, all the manufacturers are naming them differently and it becomes common that one company’s IM 6 can be the same as another one’s IM12.
So if you are willing to explore the fantastic world of carbon composites, start comparing models under one brand to get a clear picture. But I think that this is not that important of a topic when you are choosing your first rod!
Target Fish
Don’t get too easily hooked at the beginning on the species name written on the fishing rod you are checking out. Some special rods can be well adapted to the special specimen of fish, but what comes in the first place is that you have to think about how you will search for a certain specimen. Let say that the same kind of fish can be successfully landed using a wide variety of techniques. So adapt your settings to your fishing situation, not to fish you see in the magazine.
Favorite Lures
If you already know which lures you put most of the expectations in, you should think about how will your fishing rod work with them. Light power and fast action rods are perfect for finesse fishing and all the situations where lure vibration is not too strong and you need some extra sensitivity. For fishing with big pickers and cranks, you need some extra strength and moderate action so you can cast such a large weight on long-distance and amortize the heavy rumble of the lure.
Fishing Spot
It is important to know the spots you will be fishing before you pick your rod. Deeper or faster the river, the stronger rod you will need for the same lure. It’s the same about water vegetation or structures on the bottom. If you are fishing jigs on a rocky spot, it’s also good to have a fast rod so you can react properly to avoid sticking the jigheads to the bottom. If you are fishing under the trees, you will need a short rod to cast precisely. On the other side, a long rod can give you some casts above the cane and let you explore some more places!
Fishing Tactic
You are close! You got the target, the lure, and the place, but you might think – how will I fish. It is up to you. But be aware that if you will fish all day, a lightweight, well-balanced set will be grateful for your health. On the other side, for hardcore fishing in wild places, or for casual “by the way” fishing opportunities, where you can’t look after your rod not to get stained, maybe it is a good investment to get the heavier, more reliable rod.
If you are a panfish fan, you might consider getting two rods right away, one tubular for spinning, and one with a solid tip for drop-shotting so you can have your rigs ready to cast in every moment.
Choosing the Brand
When you are buying something new, usually you are getting as much quality as you invest. My experience is that for the same value, smaller brands are ready to give more.
If you are a fishing rookie on budget, try some of the top models from the small companies. If you are willing to invest more, check the most popular, best-selling models in magazines and forums. There is a lot of experience to read in reviews and you can learn a lot before you feel the rod in your hands. When you are comparing rods between two brands, you should have in your mind that all the specifications like casting weight, action, material description, varies between the brands. So when you are comparing specs between two rods, it can be relevant if they are made by the same company.
How NOT to Get Lost Selecting a Fishing Rod
Learn what you really want. A universal rod is a rod that is equally bad for every special situation. As close you get to the tasks of your fishing situation, it will be easier to define which fishing rod you need. Don’t get too upset about your choice, because every angler always needs at least one more fishing rod.
