If it is going to be your first time to purchase a fishing rod, you may get overwhelmed with all the choices of fishing rods in the market today. Rods not only come in different lengths and materials, but different models are specifically designed for a specific way of fishing. No one fishing rod will be suitable for every type of fishing. So, to purchase the right rod, you must consider these following parameters.
Choose a length
The length of the fishing rods ranges from four feet to fourteen feet. Longer rods are useful for casting swimbaits to farther distances. Longer rods are also designed to be disassembled into several pieces to make it easier to carry and transport. When choosing a fishing rod length, you must consider where and what you will be fishing.
- Shorter rod lengths are ideal to be used with lightweight baits or lures. Since shorter rods can only cast shorter distances, they are also perfect to be used with boat fishing where you can move closer to an ideal fishing spot.
- Longer rods, on the other hand, can cast far and can be used for fishing along river or lake banks. Longer rods are often used for fly-fishing since their actions are sensitive enough to indicate that fish are biting your bait or lure.
Determine the weight
Rods are rated on how much weight they can carry. When you are choosing a rod, choose a rod that can hold the weight of your lure and the estimated weight of the fish that you are trying to catch. You would not want your rod to break when you have your ideal fish on the hook.
Understand the action
Fishing rods are designed to bend when fish is on the hook. The bending of the rod is known as the action which is rated from ultra-light to heavy. Ultra-light action means that a lot of bending is happening closer to the rod’s tip. Ultra-light action rods are ideal for fly-fishing where you need to immediately hook a fish once it begins nibbling on your bait. The rapid bending of the tip of your rod will indicate that a fish is about to be caught.
Choose the material
Standard fishing rods are made out of fibreglass or graphite, or a combination of both. Graphite rods are generally more expensive than fibreglass rods. Each type of material has its tensile strength, and your budget will often dictate your choice of rod material.
Choice of a reel
Most fishermen will advise you to choose your reel first before purchasing your rod; this is sound advice. Your option of the rod should be compatible with the reel that you already have. Spinning reels will require rods that are designed to hold these types of reels.
Determine how often you will fish
If you live and breathe fishing, then you should invest in a rod that will last you for a long time. However, if you are not an avid fisherman and want to have fishing gear as a “just in case” option, then you should consider purchasing a rod that you are comfortable spending.
Carrying Convenience
Your choice of the rod should also depend on where you will be fishing. If you live near a body of water and are planning to fish in that area, then you can choose a fishing rod that stays in one piece. However, if you live far from any fishing area, you need to purchase a fishing rod that breaks down or disassembles into several pieces for more convenience in travel.
When you spend enough time to consider the above factors, you can easily purchase the right fishing rod to use for your first fishing trip.
Author bio: Helen Harry is a freelance writer and a GOT fan. Apart from writing Technologies, she likes to read & write fiction. More than anything, she loves to spend her time with her family, explaining technologies to the elders.