Fishing is one of those things that can be either really good or really bad depending on how you approach it. As with all sports, one of the factors is using the right fishing equipment, and one of your most important equipment is your fishing rod. The wrong rod can really put a dent in your results and overall experience with fishing. If you’re a first timer, the amount of fishing rods available out there can be overwhelming. The tips below can help provide you with a guide on picking the right fishing rod for you so you can fish with ease.
Consider the Length
Fishing rods range from short to very long, even up to 14 feet! Generally, the longer the rod, the further you can cast. However, the shorter the rod, the more control and power you’ll have. So if you’re after large fish, you’ll need a shorter rod. If you need to cast a lure to cover a large body of water to retrieve it and attract fish, you’ll need a longer rod such as an 8 footer. Most anglers generally agree that the ideal length is between 5-7 feet.
Quality fishing rods, like those from Seahawk Fishing, are available in multiple lengths to suit a wide variety of fishing style and needs. Seahawk fishing rods have large, small, or medium sizing so you can choose the one that is best for you. Understanding which brands will work for you can be helpful in your rod picking journey.
Types of Materials
The material of a fishing rod can greatly impact its performance. Generally, there are three main types of rod materials; fiberglass, graphite, and composite. All with their own pros and cons.
Fiberglass fishing rods have been around for a long time. It is a favourite of newbies as they’re cheaper and much less likely to break. However, they are heavier and less sensitive, so bites and nibbles are harder to detect on fiberglass rods.
Graphite rods, on the other hand, are lighter than fiberglass but more expensive. They can usually be seen labelled with IM6, IM7 etc. tags, which indicate their degree of stiffness (modulus). The higher the number, the lighter the rod, making it easier to handle for longer periods of time. However, this stiffness can make graphite rods more brittle compared to fiberglass.
Composite rods are a mix of fiberglass and graphite. With this material, you get the best of both worlds; the sensitivity without much added weight. The down side to this material is that it’s usually more expensive compared to fiberglass and graphite fishing rods. Anglers who’re serious about performance may want to consider a composite rod.
Rod Action
Rod action defines the flexibility of the rod and where it bends. Three main rod actions are fast, medium and slow action.
A rod with a fast action bends at the uppermost part of the rod. Due to its speed, these type of rods are very sensitive and the quickest in setting hooks. They work well even with single hooks. They are also very powerful rods and are ideal for large fish.
Medium action rods bend up to the middle section. They provide decent hook-setting capabilities and sensitivity. Because of its slower speed, medium action rods are slower in hook-setting so work better with multiple-hook setups. They are more versatile than fast action rods as they are also ideal for smaller fish.
The last is slow action rods. These rods snap back into position slower than the other two. Due to its slow hook-setting speed, they’re ideal with treble hooks. Their deep bend which goes down all the way to the butt, make them excellent for casting and increases the fun even when fishing small fish.
Rod power
Power indicates the rod’s ability to handle pressure. Rod power usually range from Ultra-Light, Light, Medium, Medium Heavy, to Heavy and Ultra Heavy. Generally, the heavier the rod, the larger the fish it can handle. You should always stick within the markings on the rod blank as a guideline on the line weight to be used with you rod.
Finally
Getting to a point where you finally have your rod picked out is a great moment. It means you have much less to worry about. Now, you can focus on getting out there and giving the sport of fishing your all. So, don’t give up if you have been having issues. Keep going until you find a Fishing Rod in Malaysia that works with your preferences. You’ll be very glad you did.