A Guide to Fishing Rod Selection

For every fisherman, their equipment is a defining factor, and the rod and reel are without doubt the most important items in any angler’s collection. The rod must be built for the specific type of fishing you are doing, whether it be beach casting or bass spinning from a boat, it is vital that the rod tip has the right whip and the overall design of the rod must be able to handle the power of the fish you are looking to land.

Define your Type of Fishing

Fishing is a very broad term, and with literally thousands of freshwater and sea fish species, the type of rod that best suits is determined by the fish you are after, and whether you will be fishing freshwater by a source of water, or out on the sea on something like one of these Quepos fishing charters. Beach casting rods are generally longer than any other, as the whip is needed to project the bait and feeder for a good distance, while fishing from a boat for bass or cod requires a rod with a slightly different action. If casting poppers at Tuna is your game, check out the NS Black Hole available at Fish Head, who are a major fishing tackle online supplier in Australia, and have all the best brands at affordable prices.

Read the Reviews

Selecting the right fishing rod is akin to choosing a set of golf clubs, as each individual has unique requirements. Whether you plan to fish in shallow lakes or engage in deep drop fishing, there are specific rods designed for every purpose. To find the perfect rod for your needs, you can rely on online reviews written by expert anglers. If you are looking to spend a few hundred dollars on a rod, it is a good idea to see how it fares in the hands of an expert. One cannot really determine the properties of a rod until one hooks a fair sized fish, making it impossible to test before buying, which is why you should search out reviews on how the rod performs under serious pressure.

It Isn’t Only About Price

One might assume that the more a rod cost, the better it is, yet this is a myth, as some rods that are half the price of others actually outperform their more expensive counterparts. How a rod feels is very much a personal thing, and when you are out and about and you see a nice tackle shop, there’s no reason why you can’t handle a few, to get the feel of the weight, and indeed the action. If you would like some more information on how to select the right fishing rod, there is an informative article that might help with your selection.

Power and Action

The power and action of a rod basically defines its performance, and the length would be proportionate for the type of fishing you intend to do, with longer rods used for distance casting and shorter rods are for close quarter battling from a boat. The shortest rod would be around 5 foot and they can be as long as 14 foot for a beach casting rod, and the length is the first thing to look at, as this instantly eliminates unsuitable rods from your possible selection. Ten to twelve foot is a popular length and incorporates everything except certain styles of boat fishing, and of course, the action of the rod is something to be experienced. Some tackle shops actually have casting bays out the back, where a customer could cast with a lead weight to get the feel of the rod.

One good idea is to talk to your fishing friends and ask them what rod they like to use, and by reading the reviews on recommended models, you should be able to find the ideal rod that will one day land a monster.