How To Choose The Right Fishing Rod

Nothing is more important to a fisherman than his rod. However, for the beginner fisherman it can be difficult to determine what rod will work best for them. So I've taken the time to create this blog post to hopefully shine some light on fishing rods, and more importantly, how to choose the right one for you.

Fishing rods are almost always made from some type of carbon. These can be carbon-based plastics, carbon composites combined with Kevlar, or just high density carbon. Because carbon is relatively light and yet very strong it's a great material to use with fishing rods. This is because fishing rods need to be light. The lighter fishing rod, the easier it is to handle, controlling it is less tiring on the arm muscles, and they're also easier to cast.

Fishing rods also have rings made from chrome, silicon carbide, or ceramic. These rings let the fishing line pass through them, and they're made from these materials to give a friction free surface for the line. As to what type of rod you should get with what type of ring, the silicon-based rings are always going to be the best, but they're the most expensive. Ceramic rings are the second best, and chrome rings are a good alternative to pick if you can't find the other two.

When you're trying to figure out the length of the rod you want to use, you need to take into account the type of fishing that you are going to be engaging in. If you're going to be fishing far away from the boat or where you're standing, you should get a longer rod because this will give you better control when reeling in the fish. If you're going to be fishing in a small area you should get a smaller rod. A general rule of thumb for the best rod size for all types of fishing is about 13 feet.

Rod handles are to made either from foam or they are going to be made from cork. However, it doesn't really matter what type of handle you choose. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. You should go to your local fishing shopping try handling both types of materials so you can see which one you like before actually purchasing a rod.

Action is the term used in fishing to describe how the rod will bend when it is placed under effort and strain from a fighting fish. Some fishermen like their rod to have a lot of action, while others prefer a stiffer rod. You won't really know which type you prefer until you get out there and actually begin to fish. So before purchasing a rod on your own, it is recommended that you tag along with the fishing buddy and try out various types of rods for yourself.

There Are Some Hidden Benefits Of Fishing

Fishing is a great hobby that anyone can enjoy and that is appealing in many ways. Anyone can enjoy the peaceful distraction of fishing, and if you're a fan then you don't need to tell me how addictive it can be and how satisfying it is too reel in a big catch.

But then there are some other hidden benefits of fishing too that you might be less aware of. Fishing is good for you and your lifestyle in many ways, so let's look at some of the hidden advantages you're probably enjoying without even realizing it.

  
Health

Fishing is good for your health in more ways than one. Of course the fact that you're outside means that you're getting fresh air and lots of sun and this is obviously going to be good for you in a number of ways. Then there's the psychological advantage of getting some alone time with your thoughts and with no pressures or stresses - turning off your phone and just enjoying your surroundings is incredibly good for your psychological well-being and your blood pressure and it's something that many of us don't do enough.

Then though there's also the benefit of the fish - if you eat any of what you catch that is. Fish are filled with proteins, are low in fat and are high in essential fatty acids which makes them good for your joints, skin and even your brain.

Time

Fishing is brilliant because it doesn't require your full attention. Once you've set up the line you can then just sit by it and wait for the bite which of course means you have your hands and your attention free. That makes it the perfect opportunity to catch up on some reading if you need to, to call friends and manage your correspondence or to read the morning paper. If you struggle to get a moment to yourself, then fishing is the perfect excuse to be left alone with your thoughts.

Though that said, if you want to go with a partner or a friend then this is also a great way to get some quality time with them and to have a catch-up.

Scenery

If you're fishing then that means you'll be going to lots of scenic locations and enjoying a great view. Make sure that you don't squander this and just focus on the fish - drink in your surroundings and enjoy the fact that you're somewhere beautiful.

In fact you can also take this opportunity to engage in an artistic pursuit which could mean sketching or painting your surroundings, or maybe doing some photography. At the same time though, if you're someone who travels a lot, then fishing will give you a great way to experience the new destination and a great activity that you can enjoy in any country to get more from your holiday.

Conversation

When you meet a fellow fisher, you'll find that it's almost like being a member of an exclusive club and instantly you'll have loads to talk about and you'll find that you make fast friends. A great way to break the ice and get chatting to strangers.

How To Buy The Best Fishing Rods

I hate when someone comes up to me and asks me what type of fishing rod should they buy? So many times I feel like screaming at them "how the hell should I know!" its kind of like a complete stranger asking you what food should they eat? Without knowledge of what they like, any allergies and how much they want to spend its very hard to answer this question. Buying a fishing rod is no different but it is very exact depending on your use for it. There are so many choices but this choice may not be all that difficult if you know what you are looking for. Remember that different types of fishing require different types of tackle and you would not use a fishing rod designed for Tuna when you are fishing for Trout.

If you are a beginning fisherman there are quite a few inexpensive choices you can make and most of them won't break the bank. Pretty much any tackle store or Walmart will have what you need, but if you are a tournament angler or somewhere in between your choices will need to include a few more factors. Do you travel to your fishing grounds? Do you fish from shore, a pier or do you own a boat? Basically, the more often you fish and the type of fishing you do should determine the quality of the rod you purchase. This fishing rod should also fit your fishing style, such as a rod that breaks down into 2 or more sections if you travel, a longer rod if you fish from piers or the surf or one with specialized guides if you troll from a boat.

Although there are some rods that can do double duty for several species of fish and are adequate for both fresh and saltwater it is quite often about the experience of the angler that determines how much wiggle room you have with your rod and reel. But this doesn't mean you can use a tuna stick for trout or visa versa.

Most fishing rods are designed to accommodate either a spinning reel, conventional reel or baitcasting reel and again the choice comes down to what you are planning on fishing for. If you are fishing for crappie on your local lake you may choose a spinning reel and matching rod for this type of fishing, taking into consideration that lighter line will give you a better feel for any bites and working a jig or lure. Match the rod to the reel to the line for the species and water conditions! For large offshore species you may need to sacrifice some sensitivity for a rod with backbone and a reel with a smooth drag and capable of holding a large quantity of quality fishing line. I will say it again and again, the key is to match all the equipment to the target species. Often the equipment used for a great many species will overlap and you can use the same tackle with only minor tweaking. For those on a budget this is an important consideration.

So now as you narrow down where you are most likely to fish and what types of fish you are most likely to target, you now need to consider what techniques you enjoy using to fish for them. My brother only uses live bait and I prefer to use artificial lures most of the time so we both have to tailor our tackle to these individual techniques. With live bait he needs a more sensitive rod to feel the bait or fish indicating an imminent strike, while I need a rod that allows me to cast repeatedly and work my lure with maximum action and efficiency.

Most rods will be made out of either fiberglass or graphite. Fiberglass has been the tried and true material but will be a bit thicker in diameter for similar strength and reliability. Graphite is the overwhelming winner when more sensitivity is needed. Fiberglass is probably a bit heavier that graphite but the difference is not so great as to make it a deciding factor. Balance and action are the important factors. Rods are considered to have a fast, moderate-fast, moderate or slow-action, much of the action is dependant more on the taper and construction of the Fishing rod that the material used. A rod that flexes mostly near the tip is said to have an Xtra-Fast taper, while a rod which seems to flex over the entire length of the rod employs a Slow taper.

So now that you have a lot of the information you need to purchase a fishing rod, and keeping in mind that the wonderful people at your local tackle shop or outdoors superstore will be able to guide you in your choice, its time to make a choice. If price and durability is a factor than look towards the less expensive fiberglass, if you need increased sensitivity and can afford it, look into graphite. But again, it really comes down to a balanced outfit and what you are most comfortable with. Many rods will serve your purpose but only a few will really feel like a great fit.

Ice Fishing Tips For The Beginners

The amount of money needed for ice fishing really depends upon two issues: how warm you want to be, and how much work you are willing to do. If you don't mind the cold, and you like manual labor, you won't have to spend much to get started. But if you want to stay warm and take it easy, it's going to cost more.

In addition to the gear that you need to stay safe, you may be able to get by with layers of warm clothing, warm socks and boots, and a five-gallon plastic bucket to sit on. But if you are sensitive to the cold, consider an ice shelter with a stove to add some heat and cook your lunch. You can pass the coldest days in relative comfort.

One of the working parts of the sport involves cutting holes in the ice. If the ice isn't too thick, you can use a hand auger. With really thick ice, the better alternative is a power ice auger. You are also going to need an ice skimmer, to keep the hole open and clear of ice. You may also want to invest in an electronic fish finder specifically designed for ice fishing. They make it much easier to determine if you are in a good spot, so you will spend less time and effort cutting holes.

Since no casting is involved, the tackle used for ice fishing is surprisingly simple. If you are chasing panfish, all you need is a very small jigging rod. Some have nothing more than a spool attached for storing line. You can also move up to a miniature spinning rod and reel. In either case use monofilament line specially designed for cold weather. For pan fish very light line, nothing more than two to four-pound test is best. Tear drop jigs baited with wax worms, minnows, or bits of night crawlers, are very popular. With natural bait, you will need a bobber. With a float, set the hook with any movement. A spring bobber is attached to the end of your rod. When it bends even slightly, set the hook. In winter fish are lethargic, so their bite will be extremely light.

If you are pursuing larger prey like walleyes or pike, a tip-up is best. It consists of a pedestal that fits over the hole in the ice attached to a mast that extends down into the water with a spool of line. Above the water, a spring with a flag is set in a release. You bait the tip-up with a decent sized minnow, shiner, or chub. When a fish takes the bait, the flag is released and you pull the fish up, hand over hand.