Fishing Rod Basics
Fishing is an ancient practice and rod designs go back centuries. But the modern sport fishing rod has evolved considerably away from its ancestors. Far from a simple bamboo stick with a piece of twine made from long plants, it is now a modern marvel.
Most contemporary fishing rods are made from fiberglass or graphite, though boron composites and even titanium are used in some. Bamboo is even still used in some really high-end rods. Both fiberglass and graphite are lightweight, highly flexible and yet can stand up to considerable strain. When a 15 lb bucketmouth bass is on the line it needs to take some punishment.
Graphite rods are the most popular today. They vary in length anywhere from a child’s rod of about 4 feet up to 12 feet or more for a heavy saltwater rod designed to catch a large marlin. The average for a novice comes in at about 6 feet. It’s not necessary to take a tape measure along while shopping, though. The length is printed right on the handle.
Also on the handle is sometimes an indication of what is known as the ‘action’. That term refers to the amount of flex or bend the rod is designed to show when that big one you want to land is struggling on the hook.
A fast action rod has minimal bend, with the curve reaching down to only about the upper 1/3 of the rod. A medium action rod will extend that curve down to about the halfway point. A slow action fishing rod may flex all the way to the top of the handle.
Those two characteristics help determine which rod is right for what type of fish and landscape. But a third element is also key: the type of reel and line used.
A spincasting rod, for example, contains a reel that holds line in an enclosed mechanism with a small hole in the face. That cone helps keep the line from tangling, which is useful to novices who need a little extra help.
They’re shorter and more flexible and are designed to be used with lighter duty line, such as 4-8 pound test. The number indicates the amount of strain the line will take before snapping. They’re a great choice for younger or less experienced anglers. Spincasting rods will do fine for those going after small trout.
A spinning rod, for comparison, is a little longer - around 6-7 feet. They’re designed for tougher fish and can accommodate reels designed to hold up to 20 pound test. When going after a serious salmon they’ll stand up to the contest.
Match your rod to the style of fishing you intend to do, but don’t get too wrapped up in the choice. You’ll buy more than one before long and a good rod and reel combination will handle a wide variety of species and environments.
