By Staff
waterhead.com
October 5, 2011

A fishing pole, also commonly referred to as a fishing rod, is basically equipment that is used to catch fishes, usually at sea.  Suffice it to say that a fishing rod is an incredibly important tool for fishing lovers, and its significance increases all the more in competitions. While fishing on a commercial basis entails the usage of nets, rods is by far, the most frequently and commonly used gear by individual and even group fishers all over the world.  Rods usually have a fishing line attached to a long pole wherein one end ends in a hook that is eventually used to catch fish.

As opposed to a fishing pole, which is made of carbon fiber and fiber glass, a fishing rod is generally more sophisticated. That is why it involves intricate casting equipment attached closely with line guides.  The length of a fishing rod differ in accordance to their materials. As a matter of fact, one can buy them at lengths varying between as little as a few inches or as long as 20 feet or even upwards. That said, it is an established fact that the length of a fishing rod goes a long way in rendering mechanical benefits while catching fish.

Common misconceptions

One of the most common misconceptions surrounding fishing rods is that most of them are the same.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Every fisherman worth his salt would assert that there are a number of different varieties of fishing rods that are used for a gamut of purposes. Hence, there is no one particular kind or brand of rod that would work well under all possible circumstances.  

Types of rods:

Although there are many different kinds and varieties available, here are some of the more common types of efficient rods and their suitability towards game fish: 

Fly rods

Fly fishing rods are flexible but very thin and are specifically meant to cast artificial fly. They comprise of a hook, feathers, furs foam and other materials that can be classified as ‘lightweight’. Synthetic materials are also increasingly being used with modern fly rods although they were originally built from green hart, yew and split bamboo, which is still regarded as the classiest of them all.  Later on, man-made materials such as carbon fiber and fiber glass were introduced to add a degree of sophistication to these rods.  The most prominent characteristic of a fly rod is its ability to use the fly line’s weight effectively for casting purposes.  

Bass fishing rods

The bass fishing rod is one of the more popular game fish rods. In fact, bass tournaments are held in rivers/lakes year, which allows adroit fishermen to showcase their fishing skills to a supportive crown and also win some prize money in the process. The main reason why bass is a rage amongst most fisherman is because bass offer great resistance to fishermen. Therefore, a good fishing rod for bass fishing needs to be robust, durable and rugged because landing bass is a process that can be quite cumbersome at times, requiring your fishing pole to get bended and twisted in a not-so-gentle manner. Besides strength, bass fishing rods also need flexibility and endurance and that’s why many bass rods are composed of fiberglass and even graphite, in some cases.  

Crappie fishing rods

Crappie rods come in varying lengths based on each fisherman’s preference. However, most crappie fishing rods must be lightweight because crappie fishing requires constant movement of the upper portion of the rod so as to attract fishes towards the bait. In case the weight gets heavy, it is sure to be taxing on your arms and make it detrimental to the very cause of fishing itself. Also, a light fishing tool in the form of crappie fishing rods would be more than sufficient to catch crappies, which are pretty smallish.  The most important thing you must ensure is about your comfort and ease.  

Sea rods

As the name suggests, sea rods are designed to be used for fishing mainly on sea. Sea rods are quite thick, long and are distinguished by large eyes and handles. Extremely large sea rods are commonly used for competitive sport purposes and most of them are capable of being used with heavy gear because of being made strongly.

In addition to the above, there are several other kinds of rods like ice rods, surf rods and trolling rods, among others.  

Important Considerations before purchasing fishing rods

Most people purchase just about any fishing rod they come across in the store, only to regret their decision later. Here are a few considerations you need to be wary of before buying a fishing rod physically or online:

Type of Fishing: Purchasing a fishing rod depends majorly on the kind of fishing you plan to do; for instance, if you wish to do inshore fishing, the parameters change completely as opposed to buying a rod for offshore fishing.  Because inshore fishing involves smaller fishes and shallow water, casting (which work with floats), spinning and bottom fishing rods are used for that purpose.  Fly fishing rods form part of inshore fishing and are extremely popular because they come in a diverse range of shapes and colors.

On the other hand, if you plan to go for offshore fishing, then you would do well to consider buying bottom fishing, trolling, surf fishing or pier fishing rods. Most of these trolling rods are meant for normal reels and can be used to tackle the likes of king miracle and dolphin. Bottom fishing rods have several angles that help people catch many fishes.  Finally, pier and surf fishing rods are a separate category of rods that are primarily distinguished by angular features.

Attributes of the Rod: This is yet another aspect that must not be neglected while purchasing fishing rods because every rod is unique with different guides and lengths.  While lengthier rods do equate to easier casting and are more suited for better fish catching, they do not necessarily mean better casts. By the same token, shorter rods are invariably better positioned for bottom fishing.

Discerning buyers would also be wary of the guides while purchasing fishing rods. Amongst the different kinds of guides used for various purposes, roller guides and ceramic guides are good options because they allow for smooth fishing with minimum fuss. Standard metal guides meanwhile are ideally suited for bottom fishing.

One feature that is generally undermined by most anglers is the Taper, which is the extent of bend imparted by the rod’s tip. Slower tapers are usually less expensive but it adds an element of difficulty while baiting. However, fast and extra-fast tapers bend easily at the top part and offer lots of strength at the lower part of the rod.  

Budget: While this should not be a dictating factor for you, the price of fishing rods does have a bearing on what you eventually purchase. Those who have a clear sense of purpose about the kind of fishing they would venture into should first decide how much they are willing to invest into a fishing rod and stick to a budget. They must also be careful about ensuring that the rods come with a verifiable warranty. 

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