Before you start scouring the internet or heading off to your local fishing rod retailer, you might want to review some information about the vast array of fishing rods you are likely to encounter. Don’t find yourself standing and staring at rows and rows of rods and wondering which one is the right one for you. Before you buy, find out what qualities make a good rod and which ones you can stay away from.

Just recognizing that spending a lot of money on a rod won’t automatically buy you just what you need is a good starting point. Technology lets producers create first-rate graphite rods at very reasonable prices. Many quality rods produced by name brand companies can be bought for less than $80, and many have some sort of warranty.

The next step is to think about the purpose you intend the rod to fulfill. Is it simply a second rod that should match the first, or are you looking for a rod to add to your collection to devote solely to drop-shotting small finesse baits? Perhaps you require a rod for catching striped bass in heavy current, where 1 lb. of lead is necessary in order to get your bait down to the bottom. These are issues that should affect your choice for the right rod for the job.

Rod manufacturers have made it easy to determine what rods are suited to which tasks. If you look near the handle at the rod blank, you’ll see specifications about what line weight, lure weight and other information that will help you determine which rod is the rod you need to be working with. Fishing for bluefish will require a heavier line such as 20-lb test and fishing for medium sized bass will require something in the 10-lb test range. These labels will help you decide on the right rod for the fishing task ahead of you.

Another consideration that you will want to review before purchasing a rod is the type of line you’ll be using. As mentioned previously, rod manufacturers include line weight on the sides, but these labels are specific to monofilament line. If you intend to use a braided line don’t forget that a standard 12-15 pound monofilament is equivalent to a 50-pound braided line and purchase your rod accordingly. Don’t buy a rod rated for 50-lb line if you are planning on using a 50-lb braided line as a rod that will hold a 15-lb monofilament will serve the same purpose.

You also need to think about the weight of the lures you intend to cast with your new purchase, of course. The rod labeling will help enormously when you come to this part of the decision-making process. You will see, if the rod is rated for lure weights of 1/8 oz.–1/4 oz., then the rod will be lightweight and have a somewhat skinny diameter. If the rod is rated for lures of 3/4 oz.–1 3/4 oz., then the rod is probably heavier and much thicker in diameter. If you try to cast lures that weigh less than what is suggested, then your cast will probably not succeed. Lures heavier than what is suggested risk a broken line on your cast or, worse, a broken rod.

Another important consideration you will want to make is the length of the rod you purchase. If you’re fishing onshore you’ll need a shorter rod – this helps cast especially in streams, where it’s easy to get between trees. For river-shore fishing, you’ll need to cast longer distances and perhaps you’ll need a rod that is upwards of twelve feet. Boat fishing requires a shorter rod – the shorter rods are easier to control and if you try to use something greater than eight feet, you could find yourself with trouble on your hands.

A variety of factors must be weighed before you purchase a fishing rod. The application involved, the amount you wish to spend, rod length and overall use will be part of your decision making process. Whether you are shopping online or at your local bait and tackle shop, these quick and easy suggestions can help you make the right decision about which rod is the right rod for your needs.

After purchasing your fishing rod you will want to make sure you have the proper fishing reel to use with it. Some of the most popular reels on the market are Penn Reels, Shimano Spinning Reels, and Daiwa BG 90.

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