How To Select A Rod

Feb 4th, 2009 by Lucky BASStard

Best Bass Fishing Rods.

Select Species

The easiest step to begin with when choosing a rod is deciding if you want to fish freshwater or saltwater. I can’t help you much here…but I do think everyone should do both at some point.

Now, having decided the water source, you should break down what type of use you will get out of the rod; are you fishing specifically for bass? Are you fishing with a specific method? Or do you simply want a general use rod? Select your species, as this will govern the characteristics of the rod.

If you can’t decide on a fish and want to catch them all, look into my article BASIC BASS FISHING GEAR.

Select Power

Power can be considered the “back-bone” of the rod. That is, how stiff the rod is and how it handles the fight of a fish as well as the cast of a line. Power ranges as follows: Ultra-Light, Light, Medium, Medium-Heavy, Heavy. Given the species, you can select your power as necessary, with more power for larger fish, and less power for lighter fish. I suggest Light or Ultra-Light outfits for panfish, with mid-range power for bass fishing. Because of the rigidity and decrease of sensitivity in a Heavy action rod I usually only require this amount of power when fishing for carp or catfish.

Select Reel Type

After selecting the power of the rod you should consider the reel type. The two most basic reel types include spinning and baitcasting.

Spinning rod/reel combos are perhaps most widely accepting of different presentations as they are easy to cast and allow for opening the bail for virtually undetectable resistance on the line.

Baitcasting rod/reel combos are more appropriate for larger species, including bass and allow for more precision and grip as it is complimented by a “trigger” on the rod.

Select Action

Now that you have chosen your reel type, species, and power, you should think about what type of presentations result from this selection. Action ranges as follows: slow, medium, moderate, fast, and extra-fast. A slow action rod bends along the entirety of the blank and is not ideal for detecting small hits. Medium and Moderate Action rods bend about the mid-section of the blank, and fast rods bend closest to the end. The faster the rod, the more sensitive the rod tip. So, if you want to go for bass in the 2-4 pound range maybe a moderate or fast action rod would be appropriate to get the delicacy of finesse fishing. If you are still-water fishing, a more sensitive tip will allow you to detect the slightest bite and set that hook solidly, so perhaps a fast or x-fast action would be desirable.

Select Blank

Most fishing rod blanks are made of graphite, fiberglass, or a composite of both. Graphite blanks are advantageous because of their ultimate sensitivity and flexibility without sacrificing strength or power. Fiberglass rods, on the other hand, are more durable than the carbon-fiber graphite rods but what fiberglass rods gain in strength they lose in sensitivity. Fiberglass blanks also tend to weigh more than Graphite blanks of the same specifications. Composite blanks therefore benefit from a blend of these qualities. Better quality rods come with a warranty. With the comfort of a lifetime warranty, the higher end St. Croix rods ensure their quality.

A final note on blank selection is in respect to how many segments a rod comes in. A single piece rod is strongest; yet 2-piece rods may be preferred for storage or travel. Just keep in mind that the more segments in a rod blank, the weaker the structural integrity. The joints of the segments also tend to loosen and wear out over time. I personally keep a less expensive 2-piece rod for this reason, in addition to a higher end single-piece rod.

Select Handle

Handles are most often covered in cork or EVA foam. While the foam is the more durable material of the two, my personal preference is cork for feel and appearance. Handles come in double-grip: a handhold both beyond and before the reel mount for extra leverage when fighting a fish; broken-grip: a removal of material at the lowest end of the handle to minimize weight preferred for single-handed retrieves; full handle: a continuous handle before the reel mount. Handle type is entirely a preference of appearance, comfort, and practicality. Some sophisticated handle designs even include a disc-weight system to balance out the rod. The modern designs are optimizing performance with as little material as possible to offer the lightest, most durable rods imaginable.

Select Length

Rod length can be thought of as leverage. I personally don’t recommend anything below 6 feet in length as a standard for any BASStard over the age of 10. The rod I use most is a 7 foot medium-power St. Croix Premier Series with fast action. Longer rods offer more energy to be generated both in a cast and a retrieve. A 7 foot rod suits me well with my height of 6’2”. Select a length that suits your height, need for leverage, and cast potential. Longer rods are capable of casting further and more accurately.

-Come chat with me, the Lucky BASStard, on the BASStard Forum .

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