Selecting an effective fishing rod and reel combination is vital to your success on the water. There are various factors to take into account when selecting the ideal rod and reel combination, including target species considerations as well as whether artificial lures will be utilized for lure fishing or bait fishing.

Fishing rods come in all lengths, weights and actions made of fiberglass, graphite or bamboo material – at your local SCHEELS you can speak to one of our experts today and find one perfect for you! Come by one of our stores now to speak with one of them!

Types

There are various fishing rod materials, including fiberglass and graphite. Of the two options available, graphite fishing rods tend to be most commonly used when targeting freshwater species like bass and panfish because it is stiffer and lighter than fiberglass and has higher sensitivity that allows you to detect subtle strikes more quickly.

Fiberglass rods remain popular choices among anglers fishing in rugged terrain where there is the risk of hitting hard objects, as they are stronger and cheaper than their graphite counterparts. Furthermore, fiberglass rods come in different lengths, weights, and actions for anglers to choose from.

Spinning rods are comprised of fiberglass or graphite material and feature line guides at the bottom to align with spinning reels. There is an assortment of lengths, weights (or powers) and actions available on these fishing poles.

Materials

Fishing rods come in all sorts of materials. While some specialize for certain species or conditions, others may be designed more user-friendly for novice anglers or children. While graphite is the most commonly used material today, fiberglass and composite options also exist.

Fishing rods come in both one-piece and two-piece designs, with one-piece designs usually being more durable than their two-piece counterparts. Constructed out of fiberglass or graphite material, fishing rods range in weights (or powers) from extra light to heavy for maximum versatility.

Reels’ line capacities refer to how much fishing line they can store depending on a specified diameter or size. Line capacities are often listed on charts or tables for easier comparison, and reels come both rotary-spool and fixed-spool designs; rotating-spool reels use a spinning mechanism which rotates their spool, while fixed-spool designs do not.

Length

Length is one of the first considerations when purchasing a fishing rod, from close-quarter models all the way to sea rods that reach 14 feet long. Longer rods often cast farther but may prove challenging for newcomers.

The length of a rod is measured from its tip to its butt, or sometimes where its guides start (these circular pieces thread a line through for control). Some rods feature one piece from handle to tip, which offers more natural feel but may be difficult to transport safely; other two-piece models joined with ferrules can provide greater portability. Rods are also designed for specific lure weights and line sizes; using too heavy or light of line can damage it.

Power

Power rating is one of the key elements to consider when selecting a rod, as it dictates what lure weights and line sizes it can cast as well as which types and sizes of fish it can battle.

Rods are also classified according to their action, which determines how the rod bends when loaded. Slow and moderate actions tend to load further down on the blank where most of their power comes from; fast and extra-fast actions usually load closer to the tip.

Medium power rods with moderately fast action tend to be the best bet for anglers, since they are suitable for most lures and rigs sized for panfish to walleye and provide good hook-setting ability and sensitivity. Heavy power rods may offer greater versatility but may be harder to cast.

Action

Action measures how much a rod bends when pressure is applied to its tip. It can be divided into fast, medium and slow actions with fast action rods having very steep, nearly vertical bending curves.

Medium action rods bend in the top half, while slow action ones begin bending from their lower third. Action is an important consideration when selecting a fishing rod; it determines your casting and hook setting abilities as well as its sensitivity towards different lures and bait sizes. Fast action rods tend to work best with bait such as worms, single hooks and large jigs as well as for use when fighting big fish in dense cover.