A good fishing rod is a staple of your entire fishing equipment. Buying a quality rod is vital if you want to succeed on the water, but so is fishing with the right type of rod. If you’re a newbie angler, you’re probably wondering what fishing rod you should buy.
Choosing a good fishing rod isn’t easy. When buying a fishing rod, consider what species of fish you’re targeting and what fishing method you’ll use to catch a fish. Next, you’ll need to choose rod material, length, and weight and decide whether you’ll need a slow, medium, or fast action.
Keep reading to learn more about different types of fishing rods and how to choose the best fishing rod for your needs.
What Kind of Rod is Best for Fishing?
Before choosing the best fishing rod, you should know what body of water you’ll fish in and what fish species you’ll target. Fishing rods are typically designed for a particular fishing method and are defined by the type of rod reel and rig that works best with that setup.
Although spinning and casting rods are the most popular types of fishing rods, anglers can also use telescopic, surf, trolling, overhead, and fly-fishing rods.
Spinning Rod
Spinning rods are the most common type of fishing rod used by novice and experienced fishermen. A spinning rod comes with a spinning reel, which is fitted underneath the rod. A good spinning rod and reel combo are appropriate for bait fishing and lure casting.
Spinning rods are smaller and lighter than casting rods and are ideal for beginners or fishermen looking for a super-light fishing rod. There are also saltwater spinning rods called surf rods, which are longer, heavier, and designed to be used with heavier sinkers and larger bait.
Spinning rods are used to target a variety of small to medium-sized fish species from the shore but are also suitable for boat and kayak fishing.
Casting Rod
Casting rods are designed with a reel seat that positions a bait cast or spins-cast reel above the rod. The guides are positioned on top of the blank, allowing anglers to place their casts more accurately.
Long casting rods with straight handles are ideal for trolling or surfcasting for large and powerful fish like salmon, striped bass, or catfish. Short casting rods with pistol grip handles and smaller rod guides are suitable for catching trout, panfish, and other smaller fish species.
A baitcasting rod and reel combo is suitable for experienced anglers and offers more accuracy when casting and better control when handling fish. When not handled properly, baitcasting rods tend to tangle on the spool, which makes them unsuitable for novice anglers.
What Size Fishing Rod Do I Need?
Fishing rod length or size is one of the first things you must consider when buying a new fishing rod. Fishing rods can come in any size, from 4 to 15 feet, and it’s important to match the rod’s length with the type of fishing you plan to do.
A rod’s length determines how far you’re going to cast. Longer fishing rods are better for longer casts but are less accurate and harder to maneuver.
Shorter rods are ideal for short and accurate casts and give you more control. But fishing with a shorter fishing rod will also limit how far you can cast the line.
Beginner anglers without knowledge of specific conditions and fishing locations should start with a 7-foot-long fishing rod. This rod length strikes a balance between the control anglers have over the fish and the control they have over the rod.
Things to Consider When Buying a Fishing Rod
There are several things to consider when buying a fishing rod. Buying a fishing rod requires knowledge about the environment you plan to fish in and the type of fish you want to catch.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, consider these things when buying a fishing rod:
Type of Fishing
Finding the best fishing rod for you depends on determining the type of fishing you plan to do. The fish species and location where fishing will take place are also important factors to consider. Some rods and rod and reel combos are better suited for specific fishing methods, fish species, and locations.
Action
Action is the speed at which the fishing rod returns to the neutral position. The length and materials used to make the blank also affect the fishing rod’s action.
The three main rod actions you need to be aware of are fast (heavy) action, medium action, and slow (light) action.
Line Weight
Fishing rods can be classified by the weight of the fishing line the rod can handle. All fishing rods have recommended line tests or weight that goes with the rod’s action.
Material
Materials used to make fishing rods greatly influence a rod’s performance. Knowing which material to choose will have a massive effect on your fishing success.
Fishing rods are made from graphite, fiberglass, or composite, and each of these materials has its advantages and drawbacks.
What Is a Good All-Around Fishing Rod?
If you’re looking for a decent, all-around fishing rod, choose a 6’6” to a 7-foot-long, medium-action fishing rod. Although a medium-action rod can handle the majority of fish most anglers are looking to catch, you can also choose a medium-heavy action.
Conclusion
The type of fishing rod you should buy depends on the fish species you’re trying to catch and your fishing location. When choosing the best fishing rod for your needs, consider the materials the rod is made from, action, line weight, power, and lure weight.
If you are looking for a good all-around fishing reel or are just starting to fish, choose a 7-foot-long, medium-action fishing rod. These rods are built to handle most species of fish you’ll come across and are ideal for recreational anglers who fish once in a while.