If you are a novice angler, choosing the best fishing rods makes all the difference. As a beginner you may not have all the knowledge about rods, and this alone can get you to buy the wrong rod. Wrong type of rod can lead to fatigue and fewer catches.
To make things easy for you, we have come up with this blog to serve as a guide in choosing a rod that meets your needs. Before we proceed with the intricacies of choosing a rod, let us first understand what a fishing rod is.
What is a Fishing Rod?
A simple definition of fishing rod is it is used to catch fish. It acts as an extended lever allowing it to manipulate the line ending while luring and pulling. Traditional rods are constructed from hardwood while modern rods are made with alloys or carbon fibers. Advanced rods may come in telescoping forms that are more storage-friendly.
Components of a Rod
- Tip Top – This is the first part of the rod which signals the line or the activity of the lure.
- Tip – This upper part of the rod can be soft or hard which is prone to curves.
- Butt – This part is close to the handle and is considered the thickest part of the rod.
- Blank – The body is made from fiberglass, graphite, or other composite material.
- Handle – This is the part of the rod where the weight is distributed.
- Guide – This is the hollow cylindrical loop that keeps the line close to the rod.
- Windings – This component helps keep the guides in place. The windings also reduce any friction on the line.
- Ferrules – This is the area where the two separate parts of the rod meet.
- Hook Keeper – This component allows you to hook your line to the rod.
- Reel Seat – This is the area where the casting and retrieving happens.
- Butt Cap – This component is the closest part to your body which gives you support when retrieving big fishes.
Fishing Rod Materials
Fiberglass Rods
The fiberglass material is strong and enduring. This material can beat even the daily wear and tear. The durability it offers comes with a low price, making it a good choice for new anglers. However, one thing to consider when using a fiberglass rod is the limited feedback. This is due to its pliable nature. They are also heavy, which is not great for long fishing.
Graphite Rods
Compared to fiberglass, the graphite material is relatively lightweight. These rods have identification markers used to identify different degrees of stiffness. An advantage of a graphite rod is its sensitivity. Along with the light weight, it can make casting easy.
However, since graphite is stiff, they tend to be more brittle.
Composite Rods
If you are looking for the best performing material then you can go with composite rods. Composite rods are structured with a mixture of graphite and fiberglass. This gives you flexibility without sacrificing on sensitivity.
Composite rods are versatile, making it a great choice if you want to fish in different types of waters. However, compared to the two materials, composite rods are more expensive.
Different Types of Rods
When choosing a fishing rod, it is important to first know the different types of rods. If you are a beginner, it may seem difficult to select the right kind of fishing rod that matches your needs. To get things easy for you, below are different types of rods:
Spinning Rods
The spinning rod is the mostly used type of rod. It features a spinning reel when attached and a large fixed spool that releases the line and guides. Casting with spinning rods is very straight-forward which is why it is great for novices. Although, you can’t expect much on its sensitivity, that’s why it is advisable to use lighter lures, lines, and smaller diameters.
Spin Caster
The spin-casters feature a reel with enclosure which avoids the risk of getting the line twisted or jammed. Thus, it is considered to be one of the best rods for beginners. Spin-casters are very easy to use, even children can use them under adult supervision.
Bait-Caster
The bait-caster is also called “revolving-spool reel” because of the reel operation. Compared to the traditional reel operation, the reel is perpendicular. Although this is a more advanced rod it’s good for catching different kinds of fishes.
Fly Fishing Rod
Fly caster works great in both saltwater and freshwater. This type of rod comes in various sizes, length, and weight, allowing you to catch almost any type of fish. These rods are lightweight and flexible. They are optimized specifically for fly fishing.
Telescopic Rods
Designed for portability, the telescopic rods collapse for easy transport and storage. This type of rod can be used with different fishing techniques but it is most famous among travelers.
Ice Fishing Rods
This type of rod is designed to use for ice fishing. This fishing technique is where anglers drill holes through ice to fish. These rods are short and robust, with slow action accommodating the different challenges of ice fishing.
Boat Rods
The boat rod is specifically designed for deep-sea fishing. These rods feature solid fiberglass construction that is perfect for deep sea fishing.
Trolling Rods
Trolling rods are used in troll fishing methods. This technique is where the lure is casted out of the moving boat and is pulled through by the boat’s movement. One of the best advantages of this type of rod is you can have multiple lines in, allowing you to catch more fish.
Surf Rods
Surf rods are designed to be heavy-duty. They have longer handles giving anglers control when reeling and casting. The design is durable with the ability to withstand corrosion. The only downside we can see with this type of rod is it’s bulky which may not work best for travelers.
Rod Action: Slow, Medium, or Fast
The action performed by the fishing rod is defined by its shape and material. The action controls the rod speed and also dictates the rod’s flexibility.
Fast Action
Fast action rods are highly sensitive, they can easily detect even the lightest nibbles. It is also ideal for powerful hook setting due to its ability to snap back quickly. These rods work best with single hooks, worms, and large jigs. Due to the strong backbones, fast action rods are great for pursuing large fishes.
Medium Action
Medium action provides a good hook-setting feedback allowing you to cast far. They also move slower compared to fast action rods, but works well with multiple hooks. These rods are versatile. Meaning, you can catch both small and big fishes, in different types of waters.
Slow Action
Slow action rods are ideal to use when fishing trout or panfish. Matching with the perfect lure size, this rod can create impressive casts. One tip is to use the smallest lure, this will provide you with a better cast.
One of the disadvantages of slow action rods is the challenge in setting up the hook.
Choosing the Right Rod
Type of Fishing
Knowing what kind of fishing you’ll be doing will be the first thing to consider before purchasing a fishing rod. So if you will be fishing in fresh waters a spinning rod or baitcast rod may be your best choice. However, if you’ll be fishing in saltwater, an overhead rod is more appropriate.
Length and Power of The Rod
The length and power of the rod plays a crucial role in fishing. The length affects the distance in casting and reeling leverage. Thus, longer rods are better for long distance casting and shorter rods work best in targeting small fishes. The power of the rod should be considered as it refers to the ability of the rod to handle different types of fish.
Rod Construction
Beginner rods are generally made of fiberglass or graphite. The graphite rod is lightweight and the fiberglass is the most durable. Other than the material and construction, it is also best to consider the guides and reel seats. The handle of the rod is also important as it makes a big difference on your grip.
Set a Budget
Rods range from under $150 to over $500, so it’s important to set a budget. To save more money, you can wait for sales or discounts from your local stores or online retailers. Read reviews or blogs on best recommendations. By taking the time to research you can find the best option for your budget.
Top Picks for Novice Anglers
Not all rods are the same. Each brand and model stand out for ease, durability, and affordability. These are the factors most beginners tend to look for. To help you make an informed decision, we researched some of the best beginner-friendly rods. Here’s our top picks
Shimano Solara Spinning Rod
This model of Shimano is known for its medium power strength and versatility. The combination of durability, sensitivity, and affordability makes it favorable for novice anglers.
Okuma Celilo Ultralight Trout Rods
These rods are lightweight and have great sensitivity. This feature allows you to detect bites easier.
PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
PLUSINNO is a combo set which includes both the rod and reel. This is ideal for beginners looking for a portable way of storage.
Penn Battle II Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
Penn is another great combination option for rod and reel which offers impressive features. Although this combo leans on the expensive side, it offers great value for the price. You can find that the rod is durable and responsive, with a high-quality reel that is spooled with the line.
Falcon BuCoo SR Spinning 7-foot Medium
The Falcon BuCoo SR spinning rod features cross directional carbon fiber and cobra cloth. This combination introduces incredible power and light weight. This model is the most versatile so far. It can be used for wacky worms, drop shotting, and small crankbaits. It features Fuji guides that are spaced along the rod length giving an impressive casting performance. The 7-foot length is ideal for short and tall angles.
Dobyns Colt 7-Foot Medium Heavy
An all-around rod that can be used with jigs, worms and lipless crankbait. This model has an excellent mid-sized square bill making it versatile and perfect for someone who is just starting. The rod is straightforward providing balance and sensitivity in one.
Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Combo
This combination of rod and reel may look intimidating for some but it’s not. It offers a tournament-ready build that anglers of any skill level would find success on. With this combo, you can work with worms, jigs, and Carolina Rigs.
Lew’s Mach Crush Spinning Combo
If you are just starting this combination is another perfect option. It is an inexpensive combo that works well on trout, panfish, pike, and other saltwater species. The reel has 11 bearings and a lubing system that ensures 100% performance even with heavy use.
Daiwa DX Swimbait Casting Rod
If you are using bigger baits this rod is a good option to start with. This rod is proven to handle swimbaits, wake baits, and monster glide baits with accurate casting. Although it’s not the lightest or even the most sensitive, it offers a remarkable quality considering its price. In addition, this rod has a Fuji guide and Fuji reel seat.
Fenwick HMG 7 Foot 6 Inch Heavy
If you are serious about bass fishing and you are just starting out, you may consider getting a Fenwick. It maintains sensitivity and great balance while having 13% strength and 8% light weight. It features high-quality cork handles, stainless steel guides, and an ergonomic reel seat.
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
The Elite rod offers great casting performance and excellent durability. It offers a good combination of power and sensitivity. While this rod is not completely precise, they still perform better compared to other expensive rods. That being said, this rod is an excellent choice for starters.
Conclusion
For novice fishers, knowing how to choose a fishing rod may be difficult. There are a lot of brands and models in the market so it’s important to understand some considerations. You can avoid all the confusion and guesswork simply by knowing your needs.
We hope this article gives you an idea about how to choose the best fishing rods. If there’s anything you want us to discuss more, you can share your thoughts down in the comment section.
Additional Resources:
- How to choose a fishing rod: https://howtofish.com.au/how-to-choose-a-fishing-rod/
- Guide in selecting fly fishing rod: https://bluequillangler.com/blogs/home-page/a-guide-for-selecting-your-first-fly-rod-and-reel
- Reviews on surf fishing rods: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-best-surf-fishing-rod-reel-combos-reviewed-gear-up-waves-kazantsev-fixpe
- Beginner’s guide in choosing a fishing gear: https://medium.com/@sportshare/fishing-101-a-beginners-guide-to-fishing-gear-selection-and-rental-with-sport-share-6002e7d4f8a4
- Fishing rod and reel buyer’s guide: https://www.rapala.ca/ca_en/blog/13-fishing-rod-and-reel-buyers-guide
