Do Fishing Rods Matter?

Successful fishing is often conditional because you need the right conditions, patience, skill, knowledge, and luck to get fish to bite. Having the proper fishing gear and equipment is one of the most vital things contributing to an angler’s success. It might be silly to ask an angler if fishing rods matter. Of course, they do! A fishing rod is crucial in determining the quality of your fishing experience, whether you’re a novice or a pro angler. 

Also called a fishing pole, a fishing rod lets anglers get their baits and lures into the water with power, distance, and precision. There are so many fishing rods, which means specific rods suit individual anglers better than others. It means the wrong fish rod can affect your ability to catch fish. We’ve discussed things you need to know when buying a new fishing rod. Here, we’ll talk about its importance.

Rod vs. Reel

The fishing rod is a crucial component in your fishing gear and should be carefully selected based on your budget and fishing technique. It’s responsible for casting, lure action, and fighting fish. Why is the rod more important than a fishing reel? Because it’s responsible for so much more when it comes to successfully catching and landing fish. It dictates the action your bait or lure will have in the water. Its size and strength also determine how you battle a fish and if you win against it. It’s also the most important because it’s what you hold in your hand. It must be comfortable and durable enough to use for a lifetime!

Choosing a Fishing Rod

When choosing the best fishing rods, you must ask yourself what fishing method you’ll be doing and where you’ll be on your fishing tours. Identify the bodies of water you’ll be heading to. Is it a river, or are you going out into the ocean? Then you can choose whether to bring a freshwater or saltwater rod. Are you planning to do trout fishing near Knoxville, TN, or on Texas bass fishing trips? Then fly fishing rods might be the best choice. Fly fishing for red drum is also prevalent. Therefore a fly rod would be the rod for you. Are you in a small pond or out in the open sea? Then you should consider comparing the casting distance influenced by a shorter or longer rod. Consider getting a surf fishing rod if you’re targeting various fish onshore. Or get custom fishing rods that will work well in cold temperatures, especially when you’re ice fishing. 

Rod length heavily influences your casting abilities and distance. In close combat situations, shorter rods work best because they bend less and give you more power and control. Compare the rod weight or strength of various models to identify if they can withstand fights against larger fish or smaller fish. It’s also important to see if your casting rod pairs effectively with your other fishing gear. If you have spinning rods, it makes sense that you should pair them with a spinning reel. If we’re talking about rod action, aka the rod’s speed, you can choose between slow, medium, moderate, fast, and extra fast. Slow-action rods are very flexible, while extra-fast-action rods are very stiff. This impacts your casting distance, lure presentation, and ability to hook a fish. 

The rod material shouldn’t be overlooked because each has its advantages and disadvantages. A graphite rod is impressive when detecting light nibbles because it’s lightweight and rigid. But this makes them prone to snapping. Other materials you can research are fiberglass, composite, bamboo, and wood. The rod’s grip or handle material is another thing you must consider because a fishing rod should be comfortable for you to use for a long time. Rod grips and handles are made out of cork, rubber, and foam. Some manufacturers offer a blend of materials. There are also fishing rods that have split grips that reduce their weight.

Best Fishing Rods

An in-depth look at the current fishing rod market has come up with the best of the best. These rods were tested in a wide range of environments and were noted on how they performed in metrics like features, versatility, and portability.

1. St. Croix Triumph Travel - This rod takes the top spot because of its versatility, features, and balance. It senses tiny bites, and it's easy to set a hook with it. Its only flaw is that it’s slightly challenging to disassemble and reassemble.
2. PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod - This is the best affordable fishing rod. It’s a great casting rod with ergonomic features that makes fishing a breeze all day. It is not as portable, but it provides great balance.
3. Ugly Stik Elite - This is the best fishing rod for small fish. Despite its short length, it has enough versatility and strength to haul in fish that might seem too big. The downside is that its shortness impacts the casting distance.

Gear Up with Fishing Guides

Learning about the importance of the fishing rod will give you a greater appreciation of why it’s important to have the proper gear and equipment when chasing and catching fish. Book a fishing charter to learn more about setting up the gear that’ll eventually lead you to a successful angling experience. Check out guide services like BRD Outdoors Guide Service that take you on fantastic fishing trips in Tennessee. Gootee's Marine offers excellent fishing trips in Maryland. Makin Big Bass Memories and Joey Flats Fishing are unique guides you should check out in Florida. All charter services welcome anglers at any skill level and will provide you with the gear necessary to have a fun trip!