When choosing a fishing rod, a person must follow a selection process that consider three main factor: the environment in which they will be fishing, the type of fish that they will be targeting, and the types of lures that they plan on fishing with. If any of these factors are not consider in the selection of the fishing rod, the person fishing with that rod will experience difficulty in utilizing the fishing rod effectivly. By following the selection process that considers each of these factors, a person can avoid frustration in the fishing process.
The first factor to consider in the selection process of a fishing rod is the type of water in which the person intends to fish. If the angler will use the fishing rod in environment that are tight and include many branches in the area, such as creeks, a shorter fishing rod is preferred. Five and six-foot rods are typically short rods that will allow the angler to flick the line to the targeted location in the water without the risk of the rod becoming snagged on the branches.
How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod
However, if the angler will be fishing in more open water, such as ponds or the beach, the angler should use a longer fishing rod, such as an nine-foot rod. The longer rods will allow the angler to cast their fishing line further into the wind or over the waves. Thus, a decision must be made regarding the type of water that will be fished, as this will determine the length of the fishing rod that is used.
The second factor to consider in the selection process is the type of fish that will be targeted with the fishing rod. If the targeted species are species like trout, which are typically found in the same creeks as the short fishing rods, the angler should use an ultralight fishing rod so that the angler can feel the movement of the fish. However, if the angler will be fishing for species like bass, that live in areas with many weed and docks, the angler should select a heavier fishing rod for the backbone to help pull the bass out of these areas.
Pike and salmon are species that require medium-heavy rods, while tuna species require heavy fishing rods. The backbone of the fishing rod must match the strength of the targeted fish, or the fishing rod may break under the weight of the fish, or the angler may feel the rod as if it is numb to the movements of the fish. The third factor to consider in the selection process is the selection of the reel.
The reel and the fishing rod must balance to allow the angler to more easily utilize the fishing rod. The size of the reel should match the size of the fishing rod. For instance, an angler may use a 1000-size spinning reel with an ultralight fishing rod used in creeks, but a 2500-size medium fishing rod may be used for bass fishing.
Additionally, an angler can use a 150-class baitcasting reel for fishing areas filled with weeds. An oversized reel may reduce the sensitivity of a light fishing rod, while an undersized fishing rod may cause fatigue of the angler when fishing for long periods. Thus, the angler should select the correct type of reel to balance the fishing rod.
The fourth factor to consider is the difference between rod action and rod power. Many anglers may become frustrated when trying to learn the difference between these two term. Rod action is the point of the fishing rod that bends when fishing, while rod power is the strength of force that is required to bend the fishing rod.
Fast action fishing rods bend closer to the tip of the rod compared to moderate action fishing rods that bend in the middle of the fishing rod. Similarly, anglers use light power fishing rods for small fish, while heavy power fishing rods are used for large fish species or heavy lure. Thus, the angler must make a decision regarding each of these specifications to ensure that the fishing rod will be effective.
The fifth factor to consider is the type of lures that will be used in fishing with the fishing rod. The weight of the lures will impact the fishing rod specifications. For instance, if the angler will use jigs and worms as the fishing lures, a medium-light fishing rod should be used.
Additionally, if the angler chooses to use fishing lures such as crankbaits or spoons, an angler will use a fishing rod with a moderate action. However, if the angler plans to fish with frogs or swimbaits, a fishing rod with heavy power will allow the angler to effectively pull the lures through thick mats of weed. Thus, by determining the weight of the lures that will be used, the angler can select the proper fishing rod.
Finally, one last check of the fishing equipment should be performed prior to beginning to fish with the rod. A test cast should be made to ensure that the fishing rod casts proper. Additionally, the angler should ensure the type of fishing line to match the fishing rod specifications and the rating of the fishing rod.
Finally, the angler should rinse the fishing rod and reel with fresh water after fishing in salt water, as the salt water can cause the fishing rod guides to rust. By following the example of the water, the fish, and the lures that will be used, the angler will select the best type of fishing rod available to them.