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Choosing a Fishing Rod
When choosing a fishing rod
there are some important factors to take into consideration first.
what fish you will be fishing for
- It would be no good fishing for a 50lb specimen carp with a
light trout rod. The rod needs to match the fish
will you be float fishing or ledgering
what type of water you will be fishing
- fishing a fast flowing river with a lightweight
through action float rod will bend it double - no good at all. The
rod needs to match the venue
choose a fishing rod that is the right length for
you - don't try and struggle using / casting
a 13ft rod when a 10ft would be easier and more comfortable.
Float Fishing Rods
The term float fishing rod usually applies to rods that are used for general
fishing and match fishing. They are usually made up from 3 equal
length sections and are either 'through action' or 'tip action' rod
and range from 10ft to 15ft long, although the Bolognese rods
measure up to around 20ft. The longer the rod the greater the
casting distance and the length can act as a shock absorber when
playing a fish.
As a guide a 12ft to 13ft rod should cover most types of float
fishing.
Ledger Fishing Rods
Leger fishing rods are between 9ft and 11 ft and generally made up
of 2 sections. They have a screw fitting in top ring for swing tip /
quiver tip. Used for fishing a bait on the bottom of the river bed
without a float the quiver or swing tip is the bite indicator.
Feeder Fishing Rods
Feeder fishing rods are around 9ft to 12ft and the top section is
the quiver tip. Some feeder fishing rods come with extra quiver
tips, softer and heavier. The water you will be fishing will
determine the quiver tip needed.
When buying a ledger fishing rod or feeder fishing rod, one with
changeable quiver tips can be used for all types of conditions.
Action
All fishing rods have an 'Action'. This refers to the bending curve
of the rod and depends on the type of rod and what it is made from.
Basically there are two rod actions, through action and tip action.
Through action rods bend more from the butt of the rod ('through'
the length of the rod.) This action acts as a shock absorber when
playing a fish and can be used for most types of float fishing.
Tip action rods bend most in the tip section (bends in the last
quarter of the rod). These are good for playing larger more powerful
fish on tight lines.
Action
can also be referred to as Fast to Slow. An extra fast action rod
bends just at the tip. A fast action bends in the last quarter of
the rod. A moderate-fast action rod bends over the last third. A
moderate action rod bends over the last half. A slow action rod
bends all the way into the handle
Test Curve
The test curve of a rod generally refers to sturdier rods such as
carp rods. This is the amount of weight that, when applied to the
end / top of a rod
will cause the rod to bend into a 90 degree curve.
As a guide the longer rods with heavier test curves are more suited
to long range fishing and the shorter rods with lighter test curves
are more suited for fishing close in.
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