When I first started fishing, I had a vision of myself catching fish with nothing but a stick with a rope and hook tied to it – the old quintessential notion of a classic angler.
However, if you want to catch actual fish, you need to invest in a rod that is more suited to your specific goals.
You need to think about factors like what kind of fish you are angling for, as well as the environment in which you will be fishing.
Contrary to popular (and my former) belief, you can’t get by with just any old rod.
You need to know all the types of fishing rods there are, as well as their potential uses so that you can make an educated decision.
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Types of Fishing Rod Materials
Fishing rods may be made of differrent kinds of materials such as bamboo, fiberglass, graphite, or composite. Some material are more suited for certain fishing activities than others.
You need to choose a rod that is suited to the type of fishing you’re planing.
Here are three main types.
Fiberglass rods
Because fiberglass rods are able to withstand a lot of punishment, they can be useful for novices and rough and tumble anglers.
Graphite Rods
The high quality and lightness of graphite rods make them popular with advanced anglers. When it comes to bass fishing, graphite rods are often considered some of the best bass fishing poles due to their excellent sensitivity, allowing you to feel even the slightest nibble from bass
The lightweight graphite material performs well in most fishing situations and offers significant battling power.
Bamboo Rods
Anglers who prefer bamboo rods enjoy its slow, flexible action, and the fact that the rod is perfect for subtle and delicate presentations.
7 Kinds of Fishing Rods
What kind of fishing rod should you get? There are many different kinds of rods, and they all have their pros and cons. We’ll go over the most common types below.
1. Casting Rod
Characteristics
A casting rod, also known as a spincast rod, is one of the easiest kinds of fishing rods to use. It is also one of the most inexpensive.
This rod has a relatively straightforward line discharge that you can release easily, allowing you to angle in a targeted location.
When to Use
Because these rods can handle heavier line and maneuver easily in dense areas like in weeds and rocks, they are ideal for a beginner.
Casting rods are best for using in a rod holder, which will allow a steady, controlled release of line to release your lure.
You can also use these to target a specific location you want your lure to land.
Ideal For Fishing
You can use a casting rod to target smaller species, like yellow perch or panfish, but anglers using casting rods will usually go after larger fish species like bass, salmon, lake trout, walleye, and northern pike.
Advantages and Disadvantages
This type of rod allows you to cast far distances with precision. You can make incredible casts into the weeds or rocks without having to worry about your line ending up somewhere you did not intend it to.
The eyelets are sturdier. With a casting rod, you don’t have to worry about the eyelets breaking from the force of the line – the rod supports them. This is not the case with all kinds of rods.
While they are easy to use, the technique does need to be mastered. This is really the only disadvantage of using a casting rod.
Until you learn the exact technique behind casting one of these rods, you might have a lot of backlash inside of your reeland you will have to change your line more often as a result.
2. Spinning Rod
Characteristics
Spinning rods come in countless types and sizes. You can invest in a light action spinning rod, a heavy action spinning rod, or one that is right in between.
When you fish with a spinning rod, it will bend when you have a bite. All of the eyelets on this rod point down and your line also feeds and then directs itself downward.
The reel sits on the underside of the rod and you use your non-dominant hand to work it.
When to Use
The spinning rod is best for beginners, allowing you to fish easily from any location.
Many people, myself included, find the spinning rod to be a more comfortable alternative to the casting rod.
It’s easier to access the reel, since it sits below the rod, and doesn’t take a lot of practice to master.
Ideal For Fishing
In general, you can use a spinning rod in any scenario in which you would use a casting rod.
Consider using them for larger species like bass, pike, trout, and walleye, but keep in mind that they can be used for smaller species of fish as well.
Advantages and Disadvantages
This is a great rod for beginners to use. You can reel in fish more quickly and avoid line mishaps that could occur because of an amateur technique.
It doesn’t’ allow for precision casting. If you want to aim your lure into a direct area and are more experienced in casting, this probably isn’t the rod for you.
The spinning rod is really designed for someone who is just starting out, so once you’ve mastered the art, you’ll want to move on to a rod that allows you to cast more precisely.
Also Read: Difference Between a Spinning Rod Vs Casting Rod
3. Pen Fishing Rod
Characteristics
Pen rods are the most compact kind of rods, designed to be folded up into a case that looks much like a large pen.
The world’s smallest fishing rod, these can fit into your pocket and then extend out to a few feet.
They are super light and while they can’t be used for all applications, they are great to have with you in case an unexpected opportunity for fishing happens to pop up.
When to Use
This kind of rod can be used just about anywhere, but keep in mind that you’ll likely be using lighter-weight line, reels, and tackle on this kind of rod.
The pen rod is ideal for keeping stashed in your backpack or glove compartment for the rare occasions that you don’t have a full-sized rod with you.
Ideal For Fishing
The pen rod is best used on smaller species, like perch or panfish, although you can purchase pen rods that are designed for heavier fish as well.
Advantages and Disadvantages
These rods are highly portable. I love my pen rod because I can take it with me wherever I go, and I hardly even notice it’s there.
You don’t have to lug around a massive, cumbersome rod just to get in a quick bout of fishing when you finally get the opportunity.
They are not huge. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Their small size allows for maximum portability, as I already mentioned, but it can be a detriment for fishing in certain environments, or when angling for certain kinds of fish.
4. Fly Rod
Characteristics
Fly rods are intended for fly fishing and include a lightweight draw that is attached to a weighted line. These rods are lightweight and flexible and allow you to cast with speed.
You can adjust the bar of your fly rod to suit the weight of the fish you’re angling for, making it easy to find a fly rod for any application.
When to Use
You can use a fly rod in any setting, from a small mountain stream to the currents of the ocean.
Ideal For Fishing
Fly rods are great for fishing all kinds of species, and you can use them in any setting, from rivers to even the ocean.
You might fish trout, carp, pike, salmon, or even marlin. Just make sure you get the right size bar to match your desired species.
Advantages and Disadvantages
You can use this rod to cast long distances. Using a fly rod allows you to land a fly delicately without spooking your fish.
You need a lot of room to cast. This can be a challenge when fishing in a narrow location, like a shallow brook.
There is a lot of precision required for casting. You will need to master the art of casting with a fly rod, as it’s not something that comes as naturally as casting with other types of rods.
Also Read: Best Baitcasting Rods
5. Telescopic Fishing Rod
Characteristics
A telescopic rod is designed to break down to a shorter length for travel. These rods can fall into any of the other categories I’ve listed in this post, meaning you can use them for fishing in any setting.
When to Use
These rods are best for using when you want to travel. You can use them in fresh- or saltwater environments, but portability is really the name of the game here.
Ideal For Fishing
You can use telescopic rods for any kind of fish, and you will adjust your bait and reel accordingly. Some popular fish to go for with telescopic rods include salmon, trout, bass, and bream.
Advantages and Disadvantages
They are ultra-portable rods. You can use these rods in any setting because you can fold them down and carry them with you as you travel.
You need to keep the joints in good condition. This means that any sand or saltwater that gets into the connection points of the rod will ultimately cause problems for you. This extra maintenance can be a hassle for some people.
Also Read: Are Telescopic Fishing Rods Any Good?
6. Ice Fishing Rod
Characteristics
Ice fishing rods are constructed in a way that is not unlike the construction of spinning rods, but they are considerably shorter.
This accommodates for the lack of space you will have when ice fishing. They are usually only about two to three feet in length and have fewer eyes than spinning rods.
Some ice fishing rods do not have accompanying reels and instead have hooks attached to the rod, through which you spool the line by hand.
When to Use
It should go without saying that you would only want to use an ice rod when fishing through the ice! These are generally designed to be used in small access holes drilled through the ice.
Ideal For Fishing
When you are using an ice fishing rod, don’t expect to land any giants. These rods aren’t built to accommodate larger fish species, like pike, and instead, are ideal for going after small fish through the ice. You might fish for smelt, perch, or crappies, for example.
Advantages and Disadvantages
These rods are not built for fishing larger species. If you try to land a northern pike or lake trout with an ice fishing rod, there’s a good chance you are going to end up with a broken pole.
They are highly portable and easy to use. It doesn’t take a lot of precision to figure out how to use an ice fishing rod.
Since you’re not casting, you don’t need to master a certain technique, and there’s little room for failure. Plus, they tend to be fairly inexpensive.
7. Deep Sea Fishing Rod
Characteristics
The sea fishing rod category encompasses quite a few different styles of rods, including the surf rod, for instance.
They can be either very short, designed for use on a boat, or very long, allowing you to fish on the rocks or the beach.
These rods tend to be thick and heavy-duty, with well-constructed tips and large eyelets. They also have long butts, which help you reel in large fish.
You will need to put an exceptionally heavy-duty line and reel on this rod.
When to Use
As the name implies, deep sea fishing rods are designed for fishing in the ocean. You can use these rods from a boat or from the shore, but what’s more important than location is the type of fish you will be going after, as this will determine your line test and reel type.
Ideal For Fishing
You can go after just about any kind of ocean fish with a deep sea fishing rod.
While lighter-duty rods are ideal for fishing smaller species, some of the heavier duty options allow you to go after tough shark and game fish, like tuna.
Advantages and Disadvantages
These rods can be expensive. Particularly if you are going after larger fish species and need a heavy-duty rod, you should expect to pay a steep price.
They can tackle just about anything. Because these rods are really built to last, you don’t have to worry about them snapping at the slightest nibble.
What Type of Fishing Rod Should I Buy?
There likely isn’t just one perfect type of rod for you, and many avid anglers will have one or more of these rods stashed away in their “fishing arsenals.”
The perfect rod will vary depending on the goals you have for fishing that day. There are several considerations you need to make.
For instance, what environment will you be fishing in? This is critical because you need to know that there is a difference between a rod designed to cast, one designed to troll, or one designed to go through the ice.
Think, too, about your level of experience. If you don’t have a lot of experience in casting, a fly rod might not be the best choice for you.
Some rods require a great deal of investment in learning how to use them effectively. Finally, think about the type of fish you will be going after.
If you are fishing for a species that can weigh in excess of 50 pounds, a lightweight pole probably isn’t going to cut it.
For best results, invest in a few types of rods so that you have access to a wide range of fishing opportunities.
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