Types Of Fishing Rods

Fishing Gearss have come a long way since the early days. With today’s innovative technology, fishing can be a fantastic experience. However, acquiring proper equipment is a must for the complete satisfaction of fishing.

There are different types of fishing rods available in today’s market, each designed with a specific purpose. We classify them depending on the species of fishes, fishing locations and various fishing methods. Some rods are long and flexible specifically for casting, while others are shorter and more robust for heavy fishing.

Regardless of whether you are a novice or an expert, a proper fishing rod is a necessity. In today’s day and age, rod manufacturers have developed rods which can cast baits further and more systematically. With such state-of-the-art design, fishing has become more convenient than ever.

However, if you’re still confused about what type of fishing rod to buy, continue reading down to understand the different types of fishing rods and their primary purpose.

Different Types Of Fishing Rods

1. Bass Rods

Bass Fishing is one of the most popular fishing methods. Due to its growing popularity, manufacturers have created technique specific fishing rods essential for bass fishing. Bass fishing rods can be either be casting or spinning style depending upon the style of the experienced anglers.

While choosing the rod, you should consider the rod’s weight and action depending upon the kinds of baits and lures you will be using. You should also examine the hook setting power while choosing the bass fishing rod. If you’re using soft plastics, a stiffer rod is a better option to get a good hook set. On the other hand, a fishing crankbaits or water baits need a more flexible rod.

Graphite is the primary component in most of the bass rods. Expensive bass rods include a mixture of materials, with graphite and fibreglass being the primary materials. A combination of graphite and fibreglass help to achieve the desired weight and technique.

An average bass rod is between 5 and a half to 7 and a half feet in length. The length of the rod depends on the action during fishing. Longer rods allow longer casts and better hooksets whereas shorter rods have better casting accuracy and are perfect for ‘trick’ casts.

Bass rods are available in different sizes and strengths depending upon the species you’re after. However, they are the ideal one for catching species like the walleye, redfish, catfish, lake trout and dozens of other saltwater species.

2. Fly Fishing Rods

Fly Fishing Rods are very small and lightweight compared to other rods. It’s lightweight and flexibility allows the fly to move back and forward.

The length and the curvature of the rod are distinctive than the other rod types. This fly rod also lacks the butt section below the reel which allows the angler to cast freely and with higher speed.

The flies do not weigh heavy, but the fly line is intentionally made heavy by the manufacturers. It allows the backcast to load the load and set up the power needed for the forward cast. The rod also consists of specialized eyes known as the snake eye. These are crucial to guide the heavy line and prevent any tangles during the cast.

The primary composition of most of the fly rods is carbon fibre, as they allow maximum flexibility and strength. However, high-end rods have a cork or a wooden-reel mount, mostly used by experienced fisherman as it is more sensitive to minor movements and provides greater mobility.

The fly fishing rods come in different shapes and size and are specifically designed to catch fish starting from trout in smaller streams to large saltwater fishes like tuna.

3. Saltwater Fly Rods

Any rod that works in freshwater will efficiently work in saltwater, but there are some disadvantages to it. Saltwater acts corrosively to many metals. Once it comes into contact with the freshwater rod and seams in between the metal parts, it destroys the parts. Fancy things like wood spacer reel seats and bamboo rods degrade quite quickly once exposed to saltwater.

The best saltwater rods contain anodized reel seat; epoxy coated guide wraps and an extension butt which all prevent corrosion and make fishing in the saltwater hassle-free.

Manufacturers develop saltwater rods with robust materials, which makes it easier to pick weighted things and more massive fishes out of the water. It also deals with power casts through the wind. Most of the saltwater rods used by anglers are lightweight. An eight weight is most popular amongst anglers to catch Bonefish and heavier fishes.

Saltwater rods also come in an array of shape and sizes and typically designed for catching Bonefish, Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and other saltwater fishes.

4. Surf Fishing Rods

Despite how the name sounds, surf rods aren’t the rods you use while you surf! Anglers use them for surfcasting. The surf rods are incredibly long, allowing a heavy sinker. We can also cast the bait a long way, and the long grip handle contributes for two-hand casting techniques.

Surf rods are usually 10-15 feet long and used by anglers in casting or spinning style. The long length helps to lure fishes that are even distant from the shore. The long and powerful butt section and a fast tip help to detect strikes and execute smooth sweeps.

The rod also has to be robust enough to cast heavy baits and lures with greater efficiency and performance. Some anglers even throw heavy lures up to 100 yards away! The extra length allows hurling the heavy bits into the surf.

The surf rods primarily consist of graphite that grants greater strength and mobility. Higher quality surf rods also use fibreglass covering, which allows even greater depth to the rods.

5. Ice Rods

The Ice Rods in one of the ancient fish rods available in the market. Even though the design has changed through the years, the method of using them has remained the same. The lack of advanced and modern-day features makes the rods limited only to small areas and carrying lightweight fishes.

As the name sounds, ice rod is widely used by anglers for fishing through holes in frozen ponds or lakes. The construction is similar to the spinning rods but comparatively shorter in size. The shorter size of the rods is to ensure the lack of space available during ice fishing.

Ice rods are just solid pieces of wood with a bent handle and accompanying reels. It has no reel and instead uses two opposing hooks attached on the rod which we spool using our hands. This feature makes it different from the traditional spinning rod. It also has fewer eyes than the spinning rods.

The rods are about 25 to 37 inches in length. Since the ice rods operate for smaller patches of frozen lakes and ponds, do not expect them to accommodate larger fishes. Instead, opt for smaller fishes such as smelt, perch or crappies.

6. Ultra-Lightweight Rods

As the name explains, ultra-light rods are extremely ultra-light and weigh less than most. It is one of the most lightweight types of Fishing rods in the market. They are also shorter around 4-5 feet. Also, their light rod weight and fast reflexes allow fisherman to cast and present smaller baits and lures in ultralight fishing.

Ultralight fishing rods are generally spinning rods. We pair them with ultralight spinning reels; these reels can handle the lightest of fishing lines. You can find many versions of the best ultralight spinning rod and reel combo in the market.

The ultralight rod is quite versatile helping you to use smaller lures and lighter lines. They are primarily designed for smaller species, although some models can handle more prominent species too. With the growing popularity, ultra-light rods are one of the best-selling fishing rods in the market.

Anglers use the ultra-light rods to target especially panfish such as crappie and bluegill because they can detect the faint strikes of the species. The ultralight rod can also cast lures using skinny lines that are almost invisible to the naked eye. This feature has made it quite popular among trout fishers.

Because the ultralight rods are lighter built and have lighter lines, it is less inclined to scare off little fishes. It makes the rods capable of carrying small fishes in bulk amounts. The ideal bait choices for the rod are wet flies, tubes, worms or little spinners.

7. Trolling Rods

Trolling is a method where you cast the bait or lure to your moving boat and let the boat pull the bait through the water. It is an excellent method for catching larger species. Although a spinning rod will work fine for inland lakes and stream fishing, trolling rods are beneficial for ocean anglers and great lakes salmon fishers.

The trolling concept was first discovered in the 1940s by True Temper Corporation. In the past, people used casting, spinning and ultralight rods for trolling. Now for the past thirty years, different manufacturers have been making the trolling rods, especially for the trolling technique of fishing.

Trolling needed a separate rod because the regular spinning and casting rods were slow to action rods. It required a faster action type that was easier to use. Since then, developers started making personal lines dedicated to trolling. They made rods of tampered steel, which was around 4.5 to 5 feet in length.

Trolling rod is hugely beneficial for targeting large fish. They are also one of the most popular types of Fishing rods available in the market. It also makes things a lot more convenient because you do not have to face the hassle of the spinning and casting rods. The most commonly caught fishes using this technique is Tuna and Martin.

8. Telescopic Rods

The Telescopic rod is mostly popular amongst surf anglers. One significant feature of this rod to observe is its easiness to collapse. You can disperse it down to the size of an umbrella. It goes up to a length of 20ft to 30ft long when extended. Due to this feature, it is effortless to transport while travelling in a bus, car, or subway.

The primary materials used by the manufacturers for developing the telescopic rod are carbon, graphite, and fibreglass. Some high-quality rods are the combination of these three materials providing greater mobility and strength. The presence of eyes in the rod also help make each section sturdier. Some are even eyeless, usually made with a mixture of graphite and carbon.

The maintenance of these telescopic rods isn’t complicated either, making it one of the favourites amongst anglers. Opening these rods are also different than the traditional closed fishing pole. When closing the rod, make a twist back and forth while gently pushing all the sections together. Also, before closing the telescopic rod makes sure here are no sand or debris as it could eventually damage the rod.

You can find a lot of quality of telescopic rods in the market along with variants of the best telescopic fishing rod and reel combo.

9. Casting Rods

The casting rod is one of the most widely used and easiest types of fishing rods. Since it is budget-friendly, its popularity is growing amongst novice anglers.

The casting rod has a simpler line discharge that you can release with ease, allowing you to angle at your targeted location. The casting rods are most beneficial for small lakes and waterways. Since they can handle heavier line and more substantial cover, they are more effective than spinning rods.

There are typically two types of casting rods, bait casting and spin casting.

• Baitcasting: Although they look similar to spin casting, they a bit complicated to operate. Baitcasting usually is suitable for anglers with some experience in fishing. You also can find many professionals using Baitcasting rods because of its high accuracy. The build of the baitcasting rod is very robust and sturdy, which allows the use of heavier line and cover. You can find the many variants of the best Baitcaster combo under $100 in the market
• Spincasting: Anglers usually operate the spin casting rod for spin casting reel. They have small eyes on the rod and a forefinger grip trigger. Since the build of spin casting rod is similar to the bait casting rods, you can use any reel with it. There is not any stark contrast between the two rods, and you can use either one of them for either fishing style.

10. Spinning Rods

Spinning rods are the go-to rods for novice anglers. The rods are quite like the casting rods, but they are lighter and smaller. They have a height of approximately 5 to 8 feet and contain 5-8 eyes. Like spin casting rods, the spinning rods also provide one larger eye closest to the reel to reduce friction in the line while casting.

In the casting rods, the reel sits on top of the rod whereas, in the spinning rod, the reel hangs underneath. It increases simplicity, making it a perfect option for amateur fishermen.

The spinning rods come in many sizes and types. The sizes depend upon the type of species you are targeting. You can invest in the appropriate one that meets your need.

The weight of the reel hanging underneath the rod contributes to a more comfortable fishing experience for a longer time. It gives the spinning rods an edge over the casting rods. The spinning rod is the best type of fishing rod for beginner anglers.

Conclusion

Fishing can be a great experience if done correctly. You get to experience the pure aquatic wildlife and the beauty of the waters. But, the right fishing equipment such as rods and reels are crucial to have an enjoyable experience.

Now that you’ve understood the different types of fishing rods and their purposes, you can choose the rod that suits your needs for your next fishing adventure!