There are various things you first need to sort before getting your fishing rod. Tweet. Â. You are essentially paying for “fun” not function oftentimes. If your rod is rated for 25-50 pound test, make sure the reel you buy has a maximum drag force that falls somewhere in that range. Rod length also affects the fighting experience. You can learn everything you need to know here. Select reels with more ball bearings when you have the realistic option in your budget range. Most rods come with a handle made from either cork, foam, or some combination of both. How should beginners choose a fishing rod? Pin. A big issue with gear failing during a fight happens in the case where your reel is not strong enough for your rod.  Of course, it works best with a casting rod (which yes, is different than a spinning rod). 1. This is ideal for heavy baits like deep crankbaits and large swimbaits. The reality is, we can’t have a rod for every species and every situation – but we can plan accordingly to get the most out of our budget.Â, “Making a list of your fishing goals, techniques, and the budget you plan on having before investing in a premium rod.”. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. Kaitlin Woodward’s Kayak Bowfishing Setup, The Lake is Calling and I Must Go - Advice From Avid Fishermen Jane Davis, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fishing Line, Finding Your Fish—Targeting The Adventure & Avoiding Angler Burn-Out, Multi-Species Fishing Wisconsin by Lauren Preston, Longer rods give you more distance trolling, Longer rods help distance you from the boat when vertical jigging, Shorter rods are just that – more compact, Shorter rods work better in tight spaces – whether it’s on the water or in the boat, Shorter rods tend to have more forgiving action, Shorter rods allow for more control (working a jig), Can you afford more than one type of rod? Complete Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Fishing Rod! Gear ratios are important because they dictate the performance of your reel. Â. Shorter rods are better for leverage and fish-fighting power. I suggest you start at the fish and work your way back.  They have different shapes, lengths, and are made of different material.  Materials include, cork, foam, carbon and so many more. The Strong and Durable: Redington Classic Trout. Check out where the drag setting on your reel is. In my opinion, this is fruitless. If you are going to be fishing sm… FreshwaterFishingAdvice is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. With ever-improving rod technology and innovation, those differences today are minuscule. If you’re on a boat casting along a shoreline, an uncalibrated cast could result in a $20 bass lure stuck up a tree. When choosing the best fishing rod for a beginner what you are really looking for is a good all round rod. Co-founder of Ladies of Angling. April 16, 2019. It is the force that slows down the line coming off your reel at the end of the cast. Anything much larger than that size of fish and you’re much better off going with a spinning reel. Go for a rod that is just heavy enough to show that it is high quality and will work fine, and choose a rod made of a material that is light, especially if it is a beginner’s fishing rod. They are similar, they work together, but they are two different characteristics. Greater lengths equal greater distances.Â, Knowing these factors, grab a few rods of different lengths and see which ones fit best in your hand.Â, Personally, for walleye fishing I run a short rod – 6 feet to be exact.  When casting, I will sport a shorter rod as well (in contrast to many anglers).  The only time I desire a long rod is when I’m trolling.Â, The key is to consider what technique you are relying on and then grab a couple rods and test them out. You could spend more than $1000 on a reel but a good casting reel can be bought for $50. The most affordable rods are made of fiberglass. Most freshwater rods will range from 0-8 power: When factoring the power of a rod, understand you will want a rod strong enough to handle the baits and weights you’ll be using. When taking this mindset to the tackle shop, you a more assured for walking out with quality. These are very important factors to consider on casting reel. Comfort is an important … 2. Meanwhile, a 20-pound catfish may overwhelm a small kid with an 8-foot rod. All that is left to say is good luck and have a great time out on the water! For most freshwater fishing, this won’t be a big factor.  Rods generally breakdown into these specs: When you start to understand these variables you’ll quickly start understanding which rod will work best for you.Â, One of the most important variables when choosing a rod setup is  the fish you want to target.Â, Most people can’t afford to buy a specific rod for every type of species and presentation.  Therefore, make a note of what you will be fishing for the most.  Is it walleye? The 50-pound test monofilament will never be truly tested without your reel locking out after 20 pounds of tension. It will likely break. Gear. Look for an aluminum spinning reel with 3-5 ball bearings. Lighter compared to equivalent strength spinning reel, Improves longevity on the water without fatigue, You can’t switch reel from left-to-right handed, More complicated fishing with casting reels than with spinning reels, You can switch left or right-handed very easily, Great “starter” reel for kids and new anglers, Enough strength for small bass, panfish, and trout. It’s not all great for spinning reels though. Also, make sure your reel has an automatic anti-reversal system. Be cautious when selecting a carbon-fiber rod. Choose the right fishing rod for specific types of fishing, and plan on building an entire arsenal. It will also last many years since aluminum is so durable. Stick with rods under 12 feet long. Action. A casting reel with a 30-pound drag would be a great fit. You can spend as little or as much on a rod as you’d like. Will you be fly fishing a river, lake, or a stream? For a beginner, you would be able to cast a long rod easier than you can cast a short rod. Try a fast action with a  heavy power to help you fight the fish. Ask yourself the following questions. They may not be able to do everything casting reels can, but they cost less, are easier to use, and have more versatility. These are better in general than standard fiberglass rods. Like I mentioned with my ridiculous 2×4 reference, any decent rod will catch fish. A simple thumb tension will drop that bait perfectly in front of the bank. Thin-diameter fiberglass rods are much stronger and more flexible than thicker fiberglass. These models are much more common than rear-frame drag dials. More ball bearings = smoother, better casts, and better performance. Material. You can get a quality spinning reel for a fraction of the cost and it will come much more user-friendly without the steep learning curve. And after rods, will move on to reels , fly lines, leaders, tippet, and beyond! There are a large variety of handles to choose from. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. Spinning reels are much less expensive than casting reels. Therefore unless you are getting a custom rod made, simply go to the store and test run different handles from different brands.Â, Remember, handles are there to help you cast, fight the fish, and balance the rod.  Thus, much of the rod control is determined by the handle you have.Â. The longer the rod, the more power you’re affording the fish. Power is the amount of effort needed to bend the rod; in comparison to action (which is where the rod bends). How to Choose a Fishing Reel. Action refers to where a rod flexes and how much. You can break down the rod and put it in your car trunk or similar tight storage unit for transportation or safe-keeping. Rod length has everything to do with casting distance and fighting experience. Casting reels are an interesting option for fishermen. Premium brands such as G.Loomis pride themselves in their high quality graphite rods.Â, Graphite creates a very sensitive and lightweight rod, perfect for finesse techniques when feeling the smallest tap of a bite is important. Â, Fiberglass is generally a less sensitive, more affordable rod.  It works well as an all-purpose solution – and can come in handy in certain situations.  When sensitivity isn’t a big factor, such as trolling, I will often find myself choosing a more affordable fiberglass rod instead of spending money on something more premium. Â. This can important for fishing large baits or in situations where hundreds of yards of line is required. Aluminum reels are a bit pricier but not too much. Some are standard, some are custom. 2. Whenever the question arises as to how to choose a Fishing Rod for beginners, we examine the material. What I’m referring to are jerk baits and baits you actively twitch and move while you retrieve. You get what you pay for in this department so don’t skimp on a reel with a poor drag system. You can fight big fish on a small casting reel you’d need a very large spinning reel to handle. After you have decided where you are going to invest your hard earned resources, it’s a good idea to determine what reel you prefer.  This is not a reel guide – however, you should first determine if you want to invest in a baitcaster or a spinning reel. Don’t buy a reel if its handle reverses. It is what prevents backlash or “bird’s nests”. The longer the rod, the more power you’re affording the fish. Your fishing line will break a lot, your reel can break on occasion, but it is incredibly rare for your fishing rod to give out. You will pay for it. They cast more distance and are useful for surf casting. One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is they try to match the rod to the type of fish they are after. Yes, you can. This makes this moody-type of fishing line more manageable. This reel is the most versatile and is best for beginning fishermen. The reality is that many rods come in a combination of graphite and fiberglass. Select thin-diameter fiberglass if you can. Another very important thing to match up is the line weight specifications. Make sure it has a hard-metal frame and solid handle that won’t bend at all. So why do I not recommend a casting reel for beginners? So, you have to be very frank and determined about how to choose a fishing rod. © Nicole Stone LLC 2018 | Ladies of Angling is a collaborative project between Nebraska Muskie Girl and Nicole Stone Outdoors, The type of fish you plan on targeting the most, The main presentation you plan on using for these fish, Once you have an answer for those questions, you can start deciding what specifications are the best fit for your angling goals. A great money-saving reel would be an aluminum or composite reel with 5-6 ball bearings. 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