The ABCs of Choosing a Fishing Rod
Either you’re a fishing enthusiast whose gear’s looking a little worn, or you’re a novice to the sport. Either way you need a new rod. You head to you local sporting goods or discount store and are instantly overwhelmed. The choices number in the hundreds. You want a quality rod, but you don’t want to blow your budget. So, what’s a good price for a good rod?
Price and brand can be a difficult decision, but a quality rod shouldn’t cost more than around $50.00 (for freshwater fishing rods). Sure, you can buy much more expensive rods, but in my experience the additional cost doesn’t necessarily mean additional qualities.
There are two rods in my gear that I’ve had for years, and are among my favorites. Each rod cost around $30.00. You can buy from a store or from a site in the Internet. A word of caution about buying on the web: first try the rod in a store and get a feel for it. When you find one you like, write down the model name and manufacturer and check it out online. You may find the rod online for less.
Begin With the Fish
Before you can even begin looking at fishing rods, you need to know what kind of fish you want to catch. Are you going after trout or smallmouth bass? Will you be fishing in rivers and streams, or in a lake? Do you intend to fish from the shore or from a boat? All of these factors are important, because each requires a different type of rod.
For example, when you fish for trout in a small river, a light or ultra light action rod is the best choice. If you’re going after steelhead in Idaho, though, you’re going to need a medium or medium-heavy action rod.
Rod Characteristics
Have you ever been to a fishing store and seen some “people” waving a fishing rod like Zorro brandishing a sword? No, they aren’t nuts. They’re checking the rod to see how “whippy” it is. “Whippy” refers to how much the rod moves. If you pick up a rod and it jiggles and moves like a whip at the end, put it back. It is impossible to set a hook in a fish with a whippy rod. Usually this type of action is found in the light and ultra light action rods, but not always. Avoid whippy rods, period.
On the other end of the spectrum, a rod can be too stiff. If you pick it up and it feels like a wooden dowel, you won’t be able to tell when you have a fish on the hook. Rods that are this stiff are good for trolling and trolling with downriggers. Otherwise, choose a rod with a little more flexibility.
Bottom Line
There are a lot of reasonably-priced, good quality rods available from quality manufacturers. Do your homework, then comparison shop and you’ll find the right rod for you—without breaking the bank. Good fishing!
