Reel It In: How to Choose Your First Fishing Rod
Posted on: 20 June 2017
Like many hobbies, fishing can be expensive. There's a lot of different equipment available for purchase, and not all of it is suited to the first-time buyer. This can make navigating a store quite intimidating if you're not sure where to start - and if you're really new to the hobby, you may not even know how best to ask. However, that shouldn't stop you from exploring the hobby if you're interested! In light of that, here's a quick guide to purchasing your first rod. That way, even if you stop and ask an assistant for help, you'll at least know what you're looking for.
Length
If you can manage it, a long rod is likely to be a good place to start. Longer rods are sensitive to small movements in the line and will give you more leverage over your catch. They're more forgiving than short rods, which require excellent motor control that a person new to the hobby may not have developed yet. However, it's worth remembering that you will need to be able to pick up and carry the rod with ease, so don't go overboard; simply choose the longest rod you can comfortable handle for a long period of time.
Power
While it may seem counter-intuitive, more power isn't necessarily better. You may think choosing a high-power rod will help you to reel in your catch, but in fact, that's not the case. After all - what does power actually mean, in this context? Essentially, it refers to how flexible a rod is. The higher-power the wand, the more difficult it is to bend. This makes high-power rods suitable for fishing in rough conditions with strong catches - perhaps a task for a more experienced angler. However, a light-power rod is most useful for catching very small bait fish. To get the best balance, try a medium-power rod. Many companies will offer a spectrum of options between heavy, medium and light too - so check what there is out there, and how they feel in your hands.
Handle
You may not think the handle influences the fishing rod very much, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Different handles will make the difference between whether you can use the rod with one hand, or will need to use two; it can also vastly affect the weight of the overall rod. For new anglers, a split grip will give you a good handle to hold onto without adding too much additional weight.
Of course, there are many other factors that weigh in - but this will depend on where you're fishing, and how much you're looking to spend. Knowing these basics, you should speak to an expert to find out exactly what combination of additional fishing equipment will suit you. Enjoy!
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