How to pick the best fishing rod for you!

A fishing expedition always sounds like fun but may not be a successful one every time. It takes a whole lot of skill, patience, a fair bit of knowledge, and oh yes loads of luck! With the proper gear, fishing rod, and tackle you can surely take home a big one. One of the most essential pieces of any angler’s fishing equipment list is their fishing rod. If you haven’t got one and are looking at buying your first fishing rod, the number of available fishing rods for sale can be pretty confusing. With a little bit of research and guidance, you will be able to make up your mind as to which rod should be your best fit. Reading this article should be a great place to start. 

Let’s begin by understanding the various components of a fishing rod.

Handle: The bottom of the rod is naturally the place where you hold it and is called the handle. It is usually made of cork or foam and offers a very comfortable grip. The size of the handle varies depending on the size of the rod. Longer handles help anglers use both hands for longer casting and shorter handles will help them with shorter casts using just one hand. 

Blank and Guides: The main shaft portion of a fishing rod is known as the blank. Alongside a blank, you will have a guide which are circular pieces through which the fishing line is pulled. Guides are most commonly made from either plastic, metal, or ceramic materials.

Ferrules: Collapsable rods are made up of two ferrules: a male and a female. This is the location where your rod joins together for its final use. 

Here is a set of common questions that you can ask yourself before shopping for your fishing rod:

• Are you a land-based angler?
• Will you be fishing from a boat or a kayak?
• Will you be fishing off the rocks or on the beach?
• Do you have to wade through rivers to get to your spot?
• Will you be fishing off jetties and piers?
• What type of water body will you be fishing in?

Buying a fishing rod necessitates a fair understanding of what you’re fishing for and the environments in which you will be fishing at. 

What should the right length of a fishing rod be?

Fishing rods can range anywhere between 4–14 feet in length. The length of a rod makes a big impact on how far you want to cast your fishing line. For most uses, a 6 to 8-foot length rod should do the trick for you. If you plan on fishing around dock areas, rivers, lakes, and small streams, a shorter rod will suit your need as it will help improve casting accuracy. If you choose to fish in open waters or the deep seas then a longer rod will help you cast further for a better catch. Shorter rods are sturdy and are used when fishing for bigger fish since they have less bend. 

Power and action of the fishing rod

While this may sound like a blockbuster movie, in fishing too, the power and action of a fishing rod are essential to get a good catch. Power refers to the amount of force that is utilized to bend a fishing rod. Classification of power of rods starts from ultra-light and goes to ultra-heavy. Ultra-light rods are great for smaller species of fish such as trout or pan fish while ultra-heavy rods make great options for the bigger catch during deep-sea fishing.

Action refers to the place along the rod where the bend takes place. Slow-action rods bend closer to the handle, these rods are more flexible in nature. Fast action rods bend only on the top part of the rod, these are more rigid in nature. Fast action rods work best with heavier baits for bigger fish while slow action rods are good for the smaller ones. You also get medium-action rods that have an ideal combination of activities to suit your fishing needs. 

Types of fishing rods

Fishing rods are usually designed to suit a particular method of fishing. Hence they are usually defined by the type of reel or rig that works most effectively with a particular setup.

• Spinning rods: Spinning rods are the most common rods that are used by anglers, especially beginners. A spinning reel is fixed under a fishing rod offering a perfect rod and reel combo suitable for lure casting and bait fishing. These rods can be used while fishing from the shore, and are also suited for boat and kayak fishing. 

• Casting rods: Casting rods have guides on top of the blank which allow fishermen to better place their casts with more accuracy and precision. A casting rod comes equipped with a reel seat that has a spin cast or baitcasting reel above the rod and all the rod guides face upward. This mechanism is best suited to catch big fish like catfish, salmon, striped bass, and other powerful saltwater fish.

• Surf rods: These rods are long in length up to 4-5 meters and are used to catch surf fish. One is easily able to surf from the shore by casting the line right to where the waves break and even beyond. 

• Overhead rods: These are designed to work with an overhead reel and are usually shorter in length. They are best suited for deep-sea fishing from a boat where long casts are not needed. 

With the proper understanding of target species and fishing destinations, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right fishing rod to suit the conditions of your fishing expedition. If you are feeling overwhelmed with this whole lot of information worry not! Although there is a lot to consider while buying your first fishing rod we at Casa Ibrahim are always there to help you out. Our staff is well trained and experienced to help you make a choice that will suit your exact needs. We have a wide array of fishing rods to choose from brands of the highest quality like Daiwa, Strike Pro, Cassan, Maruto, Mustad, Shimano, Yo-Zuri, and a number of reputed Japanese brands at our fishing rod shops in Goa.

Visit us to get your hands on the best fishing gear for all your fishing needs.