People have been fishing for centuries, for a living and for fun. Using the right gear is important, as with any sport, but choosing fishing gear nowadays can be a little overwhelming. Advances in technology have continued to provide new and improved materials for fishing equipment, particularly for fishing rods. As a result, there are a lot of different rods out there being manufactured by a lot of different companies. Where do you begin?

First you have to decide what type of fish you want to catch, because fish come in many shapes and sizes and require different rods. Even the most novice of novices understands that a big game saltwater fishing rod is impractical for catching pan-sized fish. Conversely, you wouldn’t use a lightweight trout rod to ice fish in February. So before you head out to buy a rod, make sure you know what type of rod “goes” with what type of fish.

Where to Look for Fishing Rods

The beauty of buying fishing equipment is that you have nearly unlimited sources. You don’t have to drive to the next town to the fishing specialty store, or spend time pouring over a catalog to buy a rod you haven’t had a chance to try out. No, it’s easy. Department stores sometimes carry fishing gear in their sporting goods departments, as do some of the big box discount stores. Plus, many outdoor shops offer fishing rods, and there’s always the Internet.

Don’t buy anything from the Internet, though, until you’ve checked it out in a store. When you’re shopping, only look at rods that are made by quality manufacturers. Mitchell, Abu Garcia and Shimano are examples of companies that make quality products. They offer the latest in technology regarding manufacturing and assembly. See what stores carry these brands. You may have to go to more than one store to test the rods that fit your type of fish.

Be Picky With Your Rod

The availability of so many types and models of fishing rods makes the choice difficult, but it also gives you the opportunity to buy exactly what you want and need. Test several rods in the store. Does a particular rod feel good in your hand? Is the casting action natural, or does it pull on your muscles? How strong is the rod? Does it bend a lot or a little?

These are important factors, because you’re going to be casting over and over and over again. You don’t want your arm to tire out. You also don’t want to lose your rod. Hooking a fish is just the first step; you still have to get it to shore or into the boat. Many fish fight this procedure.

They will play out your line, jump and twist until your rod looks more like a pretzel than a fishing rod. The battle is exciting for you, but can be disastrous for your rod. The last thing you want is to snag a big catch, and lose it because your rod snapped under the pressure.