Fishing Rod Buying Guide

Fishing Rod Buying Guide

Making sure you buy the right fishing rod is really important and there are many different types of rods that come in different materials and sizes and all have differing uses. An Angler's rod is the basic equipment required for fishing and does require some research. Rod type depends upon the type of fishing you are looking to do;

Inshore Fishing

  • This is generally inshore fishing in waters less than 30 meters deep to include Bottom Fishing and Saltwater Fly Fishing. As the water is shallow, a small to medium sized rod will usually be used most likely under 20 pounds. The key here is that the rod is able to handle a medium sized fish but is also light enough for the angler to move around easily.

If Bottom Fishing, a Spinning Rod or a Reel Rod is used, if you are Inshore Saltwater Fly Fishing a Casting Rod (used for light bottom fishing and used with a conventional reel) or a Spinning Rod (these are similar to casting rods however have a different reel which spins, these are light and great for beginners) is used.

Rods most commonly used for Inshore Fishing are Up-Tide rods which are between 9 and 10 feet in length or a Shorter Down-Tide Rod between 6 to 8 feet in length.

Off Shore Fishing

  • Fishing in deep water and generally done in boats on the edges of ocean currents, may also be referred to as Deep Sea or Open Water Fishing. Off Shore Fishing can bring in big game fish like Tuna and Billfish. There are three main categories of Off Shore Fishing:

Trolling

  • This is where a number of rods are drawn off the back of a boat and the trolling happens when the boat moves or when the reels are wound by hand. Trolling rods are built with a heavy spinning gear or a conventional reel, they are labelled by line class and can be expensive to buy.

Bottom Fishing

  • There is no line behind the boat, but a stiffer heavier rod is required these are often referred to as 'Meat Rods' they need to be strong enough to tackle large fish.

Off Shore Fly Fishing

  • Rods must be strong and have a large 'arbor reel' – which is a reel that houses multiple sets of lines. These rods must be very strong as they are built to handle large fish.

Rods most commonly used for Off Shore Fishing are Sea Rods / Tie Down Rods which have a line of up to 50 pounds and Multiplier Reels, as they have to handle big fish and bait like Whole Macarel, Squid and Artificial Lures.

Surf Fishing

  • This is fishing standing on the shore line and often involves wading into the surf, this may also include sandy and rocky beaches or jetties and piers. The basic idea is to cast the line out as far as possible over the break of the waves, so the rods are often very long, usually 8 to 18 feet in length. The longer and heavier the rod the more suitable for a larger fish.

    Travel Rods

    • These are rods that can be dismantled into sections and carried easily on aeroplanes for example.

    Rods - Final Thoughts Once you know the type of fishing you are going to do, it is vital to consider the following further rod attributes:

      1. Butt Length – the bit of the rod between the reel and the end of the rod

      2. Action (taper) – this is the bend or flex in the rod from the tip to the Butt;

    • - Slow Taper
    • - Medium Taper
    • - Fast Taper
    • - Extra Fast Taper

    The above attributes all depend upon the type of fishing being undertaken.

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