Fishing Rods

In this section we look at the most important part of your fishing tackle, the fishing rod. There are endless models available from dozens of different manufacturers.

Here we cover rod length, weight, reel fittings, handles and also the different types of fishing rod available.

Rod length

The length of the fishing rod you choose will depend on what you feel comfortable using, beginners may prefer the shorter rod as they are easier to cast and handle, whereas the longer rods give more leverage on the fish and also enhance casting.

Another thing to consider when it comes to choosing the length of the fishing rod is where you intend to fish.

Shorter rods are more suitable for rivers where the casting area may be limited by trees or other features of the river bank.

The longer rods are excellent for commercial fisheries where bank obstructions are minimal.

Reel fittings

There are several types of reel fitting that feature on fishing rods, including the simple slide fitting and the more secure screw fitting, both of which are shown in fig 1.2.

Slide fittings offer quick release of the fishing reel, which can be useful in some circumstances.

When choosing which fishing rod to buy this may be something that is worth considering, a screw fitting for the reel is preferable in most cases.

Rod handles

Another feature to look for when buying a fishing rod is the type of handle, these generally come in two types, cork or foam.

A cork handle usually offers slightly better grip and tends to last longer than its foam counterparts, although you can buy rods with very high quality foam handles. When you buy a rod, unless you buy it online, always hold the rod to get an idea of the amount of grip the handle offers.

Rod weight

The other factor to consider before buying your rod is the weight. If you intend to float fish a lot with your fishing rod then weight may come into play, as you will be holding the rod for long periods of time. The weight of a rod is often advertised or stated in grammes.

Match rods

As with other fishing rods, match rods are split into pieces for easy storage and transport. They usually come in a two piece or three piece configuration, the latter being easy to store and transport.

The match rod can be used for several fishing methods, but as the name suggests they are designed to be used in match fishing, where a big bag of fish is the aim of the day!

Match rods vary from inexpensive models under 20 pounds, right through to high-performance competition match rods costing several hundred pounds.

Match rods are a great starter-rod for the beginner as they can be used in almost every environment. They come in a variety of lengths, usually ranging from 10 foot to 13 foot.

Some match rods will have a screw fitting on the top eye of the rod, allowing a swing-tip or quiver-tip to be added, this can further enhance the use of the rod depending on the venue and target species of fish.

If the match rod you buy does not have a screw fitting then one can be easily added, most fishing tackle shops will be happy to provide this service at a minimal cost.

Feeder rods

Feeder rods are specifically designed for use with the swimfeeder method of fishing, although their sensitive tips make them excellent for ledger fishing.