The ABCs of Finding the Right Fishing Rod

A lot of companies make fishing rods, which gives anglers a broad selection from which to choose, which can sometimes be overwhelming. You have to consider a lot of factors when buying a fishing rod, but probably the highest priority with fishermen is price. How much does a good fishing rod cost, and is it going to blow the budget?

A Good Rod Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Fishing rod prices run the gamut from super cheap to ultra expensive. If you listen to propaganda, you may think only a very expensive rod will do. That's completely incorrect. Yes, your fishing rod should take up the majority of your budget, but that doesn't mean you have to blow hundreds of dollars. In fact, a quality rod should only cost you around or , but no more.

Before buying a rod you have to know what kind of fish you're going after and where you'll be fishing. Next, you need to find a well-known, quality manufacturer. Some well-known companies include Daiwa, Berkley and Quantum.

One Fish: Two or More Rods

It's a fact among anglers that you need different rods for different fish. Did you know that you may need different rods for the same fish? Yes, you'll need more than one rod, even if you fish in the same place all the time for the same type of fish.

Why do you need another rod? Water conditions change, and you need to adapt. For example, I use an ultra light rod for trout fishing and prefer to fish in the same river 90% of the time. I have two rods. Most of the time I use the shorter rod, but in the spring I use the longer rod, because run-off has raised the water level. With the longer rod, I can still feel my bait, the bottom and detect when I've gotten a bite.

Get a Feel for the Rod

Even if you fish for trout at the same time with the same rod that I do, that doesn't mean the rod I have is the one you should buy. You need to buy a rod that fits your personal style and needs. To do this, you must try out the rod. Does it fit your hand? Do you feel comfortable when you cast, or are you feeling some strain in your arm or back muscles?

Another factor is the "whip" in a rod. If the rod is so flexible that you think you're holding a whip rather than a handle, walk away—quickly. You can't set the hook with a rod with that much bend. Of course, you don't want a rod that's too stiff either. This is why you'll see people in the fishing department shaking their rods. They're testing the "whip".

Stick with Quality

Once you find a quality brand that you like, stick with that brand. For example, if you like the five foot rod from the Quantum Teton series, you'll like the six foot six inch one, too. It's that easy.

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As with most sports or activities, the right gear is always needed. An activity like fishing requires certain gear to get the job done successfully. The kind of fishing and how advanced the fisherman is determines the appropriate type of gear for the job. In a simple fishing situation such as freshwater fishing, there is a simple list of equipment that is required.

The basic fishing gear is a pole,rod,line, sinker, and a bobber, a hook and some bait. Almost any kind of poles can be used, for a specific kind of fishing it would be best to consult with a fishing gear retail store. For rods any type will work. The basic rod is 6 feet long and has medium weight, it is considered an all-purpose rod.

A rod is a long, straight, flexible pole that an angler uses to cast bait. They are usually made of bamboo, fiberglass or graphite. Fiberglass rods are the most popular with beginners. They are relatively inexpensive, not easily broken and don't require much maintenance.

Next is the fishing line. Which is usually made out of nylon. There are a wide range of fishing lines. A typical line will hold a fish up to four pounds without breaking. Choosing the appropriate fishing line will depend on your fishing situation. What type of fish are you looking to catch? What is the condition of the water?

The sinkers are weights that are used to cast lures and drop the bait to the bottom of the water where the fish swim the most. Sinkers are used together with bobbers to hold the line at a given point. Two things are important; the depth of the water and the speed of the current determine how much weight is needed to hold the bait in front of the hungry fish. Again a bobber and a sinker work like a team, a sinker takes the bait to the desired depth of water, while the bobber holds it there. The purpose is to allow the fisherman to adjust the depth of the water to anywhere he wants or needs it to be.

Finally, bobbers come in different sizes to accommodate the bait. The most important piece of fishing gear is the hook which is shaped like the letter J. They come in many sizes and almost any type of hook will work. The hook holds the bait, and is used to catch the fish. The bait attracts the fish to the hook making it possible for the angler to catch it.

The bait is the final piece of fishing gear needed to successfully catch fish. it needs to be something fish would love to eat. The best bait for fish are nightcrawlers or worms including earthworms.Earthworms are the most commonly used forms of bait.

Your basic fishing gear is important if you are to have a successful fishing experience. Without the above items, you may or may not catch the fish you want.

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