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 blank, guides, 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.

Freshwater fishing techniques

Bait casting is a style of fishing that relies on the weight of the lure to extend the line into the target area. Bait casting involves a revolving-spool fishing reel (or "free spool") mounted on the topside of the rod. Bait casting is definitely an acquired skill. Once you get the hang of the technique (check out the casting animation), you will be casting your lures right on target into the structures where fish are feeding and hanging out.

With bait casting, you can use larger lures (1/2 to 3/4) and cast them for longer distances. To get started, you’ll need a rod with good spring action, a good quality anti-backlash reel, 10 to 15 pound test line and a variety of specific bait casting lures.

Spin Casting

We won’t say it’s foolproof, but spin casting is an ideal fishing method for beginning anglers. Spin-casting equipment is easier to use than bait casting. You can use it to cast both light and heavy lures without tangling or breaking your fishing line. Basic equipment includes a 7-foot rod, a spinning reel and 6 to 10 pound test line for casting 1/16 to 3/4 ounce lures. You can use an open-face, closed-face or spin-cast reel for spin casting.


Trolling

Trolling is done using a small electric motor that moves the boat quietly through the water so fish aren’t spooked. But you can also troll by towing a lure while walking along the edge of a shoreline, bridge or pier. The speed of the boat determines the depth of your bait. And the depth of the bait is determined by the species of fish you’re trying to catch. Use a spinning reel or a bait caster for trolling. Some states don’t allow motorized trolling, so check out your local fishing regulations to avoid tangling with the fish enforcers.

HOW TO CAST The Spin Cast Reel

Learning how to cast takes some practice, but is really pretty simple.

Beginners will find it easiest to learn with a spin-cast outfit. (Note: you can first practice casting in your yard by tying a small non-sharp weighted object to the line.)

Get a feel for the equipment-Hold the rod out in front of you to get a feel for how the spin-cast reel works.

Reel up the line until the bobber is about four inches from the tip of the rod.

Now, press down firmly on the release button and hold it there.

Notice how the bobber stays in the same place.

Now let the release button go. The bobber should fall to the ground.

You have just learned how to release the line from the reel,
a very important step in casting.

To prevent loops that can become tangles from forming in the line, carefully add tension to the line with your thumb and forefinger while reeling in the line.
You should hear a click when you start to reel-that is the pick-up pin of the reel being activated.
Now you are all set to wind line back onto the spool of the reel.

Remember whenever you are fishing to always reel in enough line after you cast to hear that click.
This will prevent excess line from coming out of the reel, and loose line can mean missed fish.

Final Check

Your line is ready and your hook and bobber are tied on.

Place your bobber 6-12" from your rod tip and make sure your line is not wrapped around your rod.
Before you cast, look behind you to be sure no one else is there.
Also, check for trees and bushes that can get in your way.

Casting

Face the target area with body turned at a slight angle, about a quarter turn. Aim the rod tip toward the target, about level with your eyes.

Press and hold down the reel's release button.

Swiftly and smoothly, bend your arm at the elbow, raising your hand with the rod until it almost reaches eye level. When the rod is almost straight up and down, it will be bent back by the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your forearm forward with a slight wrist movement.

Next, gently sweep the rod forward, causing the rod to bend with the motion.

As the rod moves in front of you, reaching eye level, about the 10 o'clock position, release your thumb from the button.

The bend in the rod casts the bobber and bait out.

You have just made a cast!

If the plug landed close in front of you, you released the thumb button too late.
If the plug went more or less straight up, you released the thumb button too soon.

How to Hold a Spinning Rod

After spending years working in a field specializing in the study of how human beings interact with machines, I’ve made a couple observations on the way most fishermen interact with their spinning combos. In particular, how the average angler holds a spinning rod.

    

For most, the traditional reel-post-through-the-middle-finger-and-ring-finger grip is standard fare. While this may seem quite natural, it is the worst possible way to hold a spinning combo from a biomechanical standpoint because it precludes you from being able to grip the rod in a fist-like manner, which is the strongest and most natural grip. In addition, putting a bulky reel post between your fingers causes undue fatigue and pain. The pain is caused when casting as the reel’s hangs under the rod, working directly on your hand.
   
Try gripping your spinning rod with your fingers forward the next time out — with your entire rod hand in front of the reel post. This accomplishes two things: First, this provides a strong, steady grip when setting the hook and muscling fish from cover. Secondly, it allows you to fish for hours pain-free. You’ll be amazed at how much more comfortable you will feel when you remove that reel post from between your fingers.

I'm confident you'll see how much better this is over your tired old grip.