In determining a fishing rod and reel one must consider the species you are fishing for along with the type of fishing lure or live bait to be used. For instance your rod and reel set-up should match the fishing presentation. If you’re pursuing panfish using light lures or small minnows your outfit should be lightweight for casting and detecting bites, not a heavy baitcaster for pike or bass.
There are five main basic categories of fishing rod and reel combinations, and within each there are multiple sub-categories of specialty types of outfits used for specific fishing applications, for example Walleye fisherman use rod and reel set-ups for slip bobber, slip sinker, jigging and trolling. Bass fisherman carry pitchin’, flippin’, crank baiting, and soft plastics combo’s.
Muskie anglers have bucktail, jerk bait and top water outfits. In short, fishing rods and reels have come a long way over time, with new space age materials having been developed for rod construction making them longer and much lighter as well as reels with multiple ball bearings and one piece alloy and graphite frames.
Keep in mind rod materials when making your selection. The construction of your rod impacts its action and should be designed for your skill level:
Fiberglass Rods: This brand of rod is geared towards beginners. These rods need little maintenance, have an average weight and solid rod strength. Keep in mind, if you are fishing larger game, you’ll need a heavy, durable rod.
Graphite Rods: These are typically preferred by advanced anglers due to their superior strength and lightness. Graphite provides a blend of optimal sensitivity and fighting power.
Bamboo Rods: This material produces a smooth, fluid backcast and offers excellent flex and feel.
Shop top fishing poles & fishing rods from St. Croix, PENN, Shakespeare and more.
You should consider your level of fishing experience, game fish and environment when choosing your new fishing rod. Learn more about the different models at DICK’S Sporting Goods:
Casting/Conventional Rods: Designed to have the reel and guides on the top, casting rods are most effective for anglers looking to cast several hundred times during a fishing trip.
Generally match up best with baitcasting reels.
Most casting rods can handle heavy line and fish in dense cover and water vegetation.
Spinning Rods: Ranging in length from 5 to 8 feet, this model positions the reel and guides on the bottom of the pole to provide smooth, accurate casts.
Longer spinning rods with elongated grip handles for two-handed casting are frequently used for saltwater or steelhead and salmon fishing.
Spinning rods are also widely used for trolling and still fishing with live bait.
The handle length is balanced against the rod’s length.
Saltwater Casting/Conventional Rods: The reel and line are located on top of the rod, and the trigger grip lets you securely clutch the rod while releasing the thumb bar.
Designed with a quick taper at the rod tip for accuracy and a large backbone at the lower portion of the rod for stability.
Saltwater bait-casting rods can be made from fiberglass or graphite.
Fiberglass is more durable and has greater lifting power than graphite, which makes it a preference for larger fish such as tuna and yellowtail.
Graphite rods are more bait sensitive and work well for surf fishing and open water, where bait may be cast over a greater distance.
Power and action are two essential functions of your new fishing rod:
Power: A rod’s resistance to flexing is known as its power. This ranges from ultra-light to ultra-heavy or other similar classifications. If you’re after larger game fish, you may need a rod with more power.
Action: This impacts your casting distance and accuracy. The smaller the fish, the lighter the action that you’ll need, while the heavier the fish, the heavier the action.
Fishing Rods Construction And Features
Fishing poles have only become more specialized over time. There are many different fishing rods to choose from, made from different kinds of materials, such as fiberglass, graphite, carbon and various composites. In order to select the best possible fishing rod and reel system for the type of angling you plan to do, you’ll need to do a bit of research. For instance, pay attention to how much flex and action you’ll require. Most anglers opt for moderate fishing rods, which will bend starting at the halfway point, but you should choose a fast rod if it’s important for you to be able to feel any light bite or nibble on the line. A fishing pole’s backbone depends on its construction and thickness, as the rod’s strength makes a difference in the fish you attempt to catch and the lines you’ll need to purchase. Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered at Academy.com.
Different Fishing Poles For Different Types Of Angling
Our assortment includes standard casting rods and others specially made for baitcasting. A spinning rod is perfect for those fishing with lighter weights, looking to snag perch, crappies and walleyes. Fly fishing can be an intensive endeavor, so finding the proper fly rod is important. Make sure you have a fishing pole that will allow you to false cast, haul cast, curve cast, tuck cast and roll cast with precision every time. With fishing poles made by top brands like Abu Garcia, Shakespeare, All Star Rods and H2O Express, we’re sure to have one that meets your needs, whether that means angling the afternoon away on a pier with a boat and surf rod or relaxing on a boat fishing for bluegill with a panfish rod. Explore Academy.com for all of the essential fishing gear to meet your demands.
