For more of my fishing gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Tackle Boxes, Fishing Sunglasses, Fishing Hats. Whether you’re a first-time fishing newbie or an experienced angler, choosing a new fishing rod can be a time-consuming but enjoyable task. Zebco Zcast Medium-Light Action Casting Rod, Tailwater Outfitters Toccoa Fly Fishing Rod, Zebco Zcast 2 Piece Medium-Light Action Rod. Whether you want to land some huge saltwater fish or tease the trout out of a babbling brook, there’s a rod on our list that can help you get it done. Power instead is a reference to the entire rod’s stiffness. You’ll have to look around to find that right rod for you. Make sure you have a clear, open space to work in. 17. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. This rod is made specifically for spincasting. Best For: A single rod that is proven and available in any power and length you can want. Fast action rods can respond so quickly that you might jerk the bait right out of the fish’s mouth before it can swallow it. "@context": "https://schema.org/", Sign Up for Email. Rod power is slightly different from action. Personally I’m a fan of cork grips over EVA foam. The most common fishing rods include the following. This is a do-it-all, beater rod, and... Shimano Solara Fishing Rod. "@type": "CreativeWorkSeries", Required fields are marked *. You’ve also got to keep in mind that the length of your rod is critical to each application, but you can pick from 4.5’ to 9’ lengths with this rod. This applies no matter whether you were fishing in a lake, river, or ocean. Aluminum oxide is hard as glass and will allow the line to zip out as you cast. Cleaning the rod after use is key to keeping it free of corrosion.). Ferrules. Has a solid feel. Why? That’s why it’s critical to choose a rod that breaks down and most of them do. To see all my recommended fly fishing rods, see my reviews here and fly reels here. Compare. Computer controlled carbon wrapping helps to make sure the rod bends evenly throughout its length. Sporting goods stores that sell fishing gear may also sell licenses. Practice casting at home before your first fishing trip. Of course these factors all tie together, but you can’t ignore your bait choice when it affects your rod. Ugly Stik has been using their clear fiberglass Clear Tip on rods for years. The length, construction, and flexibility (action) of a rod all play a role in how much force a rod can effectively handle. We are here to help. Learn More About How We Research, Evaluate, And Why You Can Trust Us Here. But what we don’t always expect is a little extra! Some reels will not fit this rod because of guide placement. These rods are easier for new anglers to use. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. Fuji makes custom reel seats for high end rods. The slower the action the longer the fish has to get the hook in its mouth before your set engages the hook. Fishing Rod Features and Components. The best part is that almost all of the rods on our review list are quite affordable, despite their great performance! I have loved every piece of gear I’ve seen from them and most users do as well. The rod is a one or two-piece design made from carbon fiber and has a long handle and a trigger grip for baitcasting reels all for a great price. So, you set the hook on a fish and the rod practically doesn’t bend? However, you should be able to do a bit of research and then quickly figure out what combination of rod power and action you need! He spends much of his time in the wilderness where he tests outdoor gear supplied to him by companies such as Patagonia, Smith Optics, and Wolverine. Winston R.L Fly Fishing Saltwater Air Series Fly Rod; 6. Tailwater opted for the classic and standard cork handle grip on these rods. Best For: A refined, high end action and rod feel on any spincasting reel. Being a fisherman as long as I can remember I have used just about every type of fishing rod there is. That’s it! This length and power combination is a good “everything” rod. These span from short, slow action rods to long fast action rods. There are a total of 15 models in this rod series, so select before you order! While the shortest rods are usually categorized as ultra-lightweight or lightweight, don’t discount their utility. I chose this rod for spincasting because of the shorter grip length and pistol grip setup. The eyelets of a casting rod all face upward, and the reel is located atop the rod, too. Bamboo: A traditional material used in fishing rod construction, today bamboo is most often used for fly rods. One inventive change on these rods is the alignment dot. Ugly Stik has been one of the most popular rods for anglers for years. With a 5.5’ long rod it’s going to be limited but these shorter rods are good for beginners and kids. TFO™ NXT Rod. Instead, consider two things to help you narrow down your selection: There are two main types of fishing rod: spinning and casting. Light biters such as trout or walleye are great on light power rods with slow or medium action. Ferrule: This is the joint in the midsection where the two pieces of the fishing pole meet (for rods that come apart for storage). If you plan to fish in a state for just a few days, you might need to purchase a license for those days. This spinning rod is a classic and features a few variations from the other two on our list. $169.99. Too often good rods have weak reel seats in my opinion. Rod may break when hooking larger fish. $119.98. $179.99. Each rod section has a little dot that helps you line up with the one before it to make sure the line guides are all straight for quick rod assembly. Compare. One of the best qualities of this rod is the Zirconium line guides. Also printed on the rod may be specifications for the type of line to use and the recommended lure weight. You won’t overpower them and you can feel them grabbing the hook with ease. If you’re throwing super lightweight 1/32 ounce bait you’ll probably want a slow action low power rod. The eyelets, or guides, of a spinning rod all face downward, and the spinning reel mounts underneath the rod in line with the eyelets. Read our shopping guide for the most important information you’ll need to know when picking out a fishing rod to meet your needs. These cookies do not store any personal information. "name": "https://www.outsidepursuits.com/best-fishing-rod/", Not only is it an Abu Garcia classic, it’s designed around Mike Laconelli’s specifications. The Triumph brand of bass spinning rod are your standard, high-quality rod, made from graphite fiber. A new angler, however, shouldn’t worry too much about getting every detail perfect when choosing a rod. It does allow for a lot more leverage and control than shorter handles, though. A combination of the rod, Zebco Zcast Medium-Light action casting rod fishing as the length of the space you... Through the process best fishing rod finding high-quality models not by much your hands along. Trout or walleye are great for crappie, bream, and value much about getting every detail when! Seat is made from shore walleye and trout rods have weak reel seats in my opinion handle on... Makes a great spinning rod review – Highly recommended for its money reel and line part. Recommend a rod rated as “ light ” rod in a state for just Switch. 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