Buying Fishing Rods on a Budget
One of the big misconceptions about fishing is that you need a ton of money to buy a quality fishing rod. This untruth is usually spouted by outfitters who are simply trying to make money. The expensive rods, such as the St. Croix, have a really good feel to them, but it isn’t necessary to blow your kids’ college money just to buy a fishing rod.
Fishing rod prices can go as low as $10 and as high as $100 and more. Ignore the $10 rods. They’re cheap, because they’re cheaply made. Try to fish with one of those rods, and you’ll catch more migraines than fish. If you can afford to plunk down $100 for a rod, fine, but $50 should be enough to buy you a reliable, quality rod.
One Rod Doesn’t Fit All
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you only need one rod. This is another untruth. There are many, many different types of fish out there, in different sizes and different temperaments. Some fish fight like crazy to avoid being landed. Others don’t seem to mind being caught.
For example, a bass is going to make you work to land it, twisting and bending your rod almost to its breaking point. You need a strong rod that can handle the abuse. Conversely, crappie are small and rarely fight at all. If you use a heavy rod here, your arm will tire quickly and you could injure your wrist or hand. Fishing for crappie requires the angler to constantly snap the rod up and down to jiggle the lure. An ultralight rod is the better choice.
Length is Important
If you’re fishing for trout, an ultralight rod is a good choice. You may want to consider buying two rods, though, to handle different water conditions. In low water, a five foot rod will suffice, but if the water level is high, a six and a half foot rod will give you better control.
Most anglers own more than one rod. Water conditions change, and so does the availability of certain types of fish. You may start out fishing for crappie in the morning and decide to go after smallmouth bass in the afternoon. If you don’t have a bigger rod, you’re out of luck. So, be prepared. With fishing rods so moderately priced, most budgets can handle more than one rod.
Quality Manufacturers
Always buy your fishing rod from a quality manufacturer. Quantum is a quality company and produces ultralight rods (Quantum Xtralite) for around $25.00. Berkley is another quality fishing rod manufacturer. Their “lightning” series is a very good choice for trout. Berkley also produces affordable larger rods, suitable for bigger fish like catfish and pike.
Bottom Line
Know your fish, research the available brands, buy a quality fishing rod and you should be set. Fishing is meant to be fun. So, take your time, consult the experts, and buy the rod that’s right for you. You’ll catch more fish, which, of course, is the entire point.
