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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Choosing a “Good” Rod

The quality of a fishing rod depends on how each of the separate components come together to perform at the highest level. Here are three things to keep in mind as you go through the guide:
  1. The type of material each components is made of, including the blankguides, and handle
  2. The type of fishing reel that feels best and fits onto your preferred rod
  3. The ergonomics of the rod, including the comfort, how it feels in your hands, and balance.
 What is Your Purpose?
One of the biggest benefits of having the best fishing rod is having the right tools to target the fish you want. When many people begin fishing, they buy only low-priced rods assuming that there really isn’t a difference in quality. Little do they know, problems like snags and backlashes happen many times with bad rods. In addition, cheap rods can break more easily than the higher priced fishing rods, which is very frustrating when you are out on the water. Like the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
A good fishing rod is one that fits your purposes. When you’re looking for a rod, you should ask yourself these five important questions:
  1. Who is the fishing rod for? 
  2. What type of fish are you targeting?
  3. When are you fishing?
  4. Where are you fishing? (Ocean, river, lake, sea, streams, etc.)
  5. How are you fishing? (Boat or bank)

Not only will a quality rod save you a headache, it can help you catch fish. Yes, in fishing, the equipment plays a big part in your success. For example, the sensitivity of a rod is how easily you can sense a fishing biting your bait. With stiff rods, you cannot feel when a fish bites your bait. If you can’t feel the bite, then you cannot react accordingly.
Many times, beginners will cast their line, and after 30 minutes of waiting, they will pull their line backonly to discover that they were duped by a fish! Don’t get fooled once you find those fish in the water!!

The Four Factors of Fishing

There are four different things to consider before you pick the best fishing rod for your needs.

1. The type of fish you want to fish for.

People generally fish in the lakes, oceans, or rivers that are closest to their home. It would be helpful to research your surrounding area to find what fish live in your waters. I recommend specializing in one species of fish first, and then expand as you get better and better. Learn everything there is to know about your target fish, such as their feeding habits. This will help you find and catch more fish.
2.  The rod parts that best suit your needs.
Understanding the different kinds of tackle (fishing tools) will help you decide what works best for you. Much of this depends on what kind of fishing you will do. For example, if you are targeting larger fish, you will want a baitcaster reel, which is made to cast larger bait. Do you want a long rod or a short rod? A long rod will allow you to cast longer distances, while a short rod will help you pull the game fish that love to fight.
3. The type of fishing you will partake in.
Choosing a fishing rod depends on if you will fish from the beach (called surf fishing), from a boat, from a pier, on ice, etc.. In addition, fishing in a lake or river requires different tackle than fishing in the ocean. This is because the saltwater fishing tackle is made of specific materials designed to prevent corrosion. If you use a freshwater fishing rod to catch saltwater fish, your line, hooks, and even reel can be heavily damaged.
4. Your budget.
For a beginner, it is recommended that you consider how much time you will invest in the sport. If you know that you will be fishing often, you should start with a rod that is a medium range cost and work your way toward a more advanced rod. Beginners should start with a medium action rod that is flexible, but not too flexible. If you are not sure if you will fish a lot, I would recommend buying a less expensive beginner rod (less than $30) to get acclimated to the sport. The benefit is that it will help you learn what you prefer in a rod, including the length, weight, and action.

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