When choosing a fishing rod some important factors to take into consideration are,
Choosing a Fishing Rod
There are literally hundreds of fishing rods on the market and for a newcomer to fishing this can be very daunting. This page cannot give complete account for all rods but will give you a general idea of each. Before you fork out your hard earned cash on a brand new fishing rod, decide what type of fishing you will be doing and what fish you will be hoping to catch ask local anglers. A great place for information is your local tackle shops, call in and see what they have to offer
Each year many anglers decide they have had their fishing rods, reels etc for a long time change from general fishing to carp fishing. This is good for beginners to angling because these anglers sell their old tackle in local shops, therefore, good, cheap, second hand tackle bargains can be found in your local fishing tackle shop.
Also check the classified adverts in your local paper and the tackle stalls at boot sales.
Beware at boot sales though, 1. a lot of stolen fishing tackle has been found for sale at boot sales. 2. always check the tackle is in decent condition and actually working. Guarantees are not given.
Beware at boot sales though, 1. a lot of stolen fishing tackle has been found for sale at boot sales. 2. always check the tackle is in decent condition and actually working. Guarantees are not given.
Buying a Fishing Rod
Prices of fishing rods and reels vary tremendously. For a guide to fishing tackle prices so that you can compare the price of rods advertised, have a look around your local fishing tackle shop or online tackle shops.
If you intend going fishing with a friend then they will give you information on what rod you will need. If you can, take them with you when you go to buy your rod. You will also find your local tackle shop owner will be pleased to help you. Tell him or her what you will be fishing for, where and how, ie float fishing or legering, Also say what your budget is. You don't want to waste his time by letting him show you £200 rods when you only have £40.
Remember, as with most things in the world, the most expensive is not always the most suitable.
With such a vast choice of fishing rods for sale how do beginners to fishing decide what rod to buy?
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
It would be no good fishing for a 50lb specimen carp with a light trout rod. The rod needs to match the fish
Choose a 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.
don't try and struggle using / casting a 13ft rod when a 10ft would be easier and more comfortable.
The term float fishing rod usually applies to rods that are used for general pleasure fishing and match fishing, made up from 3 equal length sections and are either 'through action' or 'tip action
Ranging 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.
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
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
As with all fishing rods, the longer the rod the further it will cast and will give you more control when playing a fish.
Also when choosing a fishing rod, take into account the, 'Action'and 'Test Curve', explained below.
Float Fishing Rods
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A General Guide to Fishing Rods
Fishing information for beginners to Angling
History of the Fishing Rod
Fishing rods were originally made from yew and green hart and later from split cane, Tonkin cane. Rod handles were usually made of cork and the guides, rod rings, were just plain wire loops. In the late 1960's I saw many fishing rods used by sea anglers made from tank aerials. These were very heavy but ideal for casting heavy weights. With the emergence of fibreglass, although still heavy compared to fishing rods of today, fibreglass fishing rods were a lot more durable and stronger. Nowadays fishing rods are made of various compositions which include graphite, carbon fibre or a composite. These rods are far lighter and stronger.
As a guide a 12ft to 13ft rod should cover most types of float fishing.
Leger fishing rods are between 9ft and 11 ft and generally made up of 2 sections and are used for fishing a bait on the bottom of the river or lake without a float. Bite indication is through the quiver tip or swing tip.
A quiver tip is like a small, tapered extension to the rod that is pushed into the end. When a fish bites, the end of the rod 'quivers' before it is pulled round.
Some leger rods have a screw fitting in the top ring and the swing tip is screwed into this.
The swing tip is a 6 to 8 inch thin stick with a rubber tube fitted to one end and a rod ring to the other. In the other end of the rubber tube is the screw.
The swing tip is a 6 to 8 inch thin stick with a rubber tube fitted to one end and a rod ring to the other. In the other end of the rubber tube is the screw.
Line is threaded through the rod rings as normal and also through the swing tip ring. The swing tip hangs down and a bite is detected when it swings and lifts up as the fish swims away.
Feeder Fishing Rods
Feeder fishing rods range from around 9ft generally called a 'picker' rod to 13ft+ and as with the leger rod, the feeder rod is used for fishing a bait on the bottom without using a float
Feeder rods can be a heavy, medium or light rod or can have a hole in the top section that a quiver tip is pushed into. The quiver is a flexible extension used as a bite indicator and comes in different sizes.
The quiver to use is determined by the fish you target, the smaller the fish the lighter the tip. Bigger fish, barbel or carp calls for a heavy heavy tip.
When buying a ledger rod or feeder fishing rod, bear in mind that one with changeable quiver tips can be used for all types of conditions.
Light Feeder 9ft to 10ft
This is a good choice for short range fishing for smaller fish such as roach, silver fish, bream
This is a good choice for short range fishing for smaller fish such as roach, silver fish, bream
Medium feeder 10ft to 12 ft
Medium feeder rods can be used to catch heavier fish including carp.
Medium feeder rods can be used to catch heavier fish including carp.
Heavy feeder 12ft to 13ft+
This rod is longer and can cast long distances which is ideal for bream venues. Being stronger it is good for targeting Carp and Barbel in rivers like the Trent and Severn.
This rod is longer and can cast long distances which is ideal for bream venues. Being stronger it is good for targeting Carp and Barbel in rivers like the Trent and Severn.
Specialist Rods, Carp Barbel
Unlike general fishing rods, carp rods are sorted by test curve. How the test curve is measured is explained below.
Specialist rods range in size from 10ft to over 13ft. Used for fishing for big carp and other fish they are obviously a lot sturdier than the normal feeder or float rods.
A spod rod is a powerful specialist rod used by carp and specimen anglers
Spod Rods
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 in the tip section, the last quarter of the rod and are good for playing large powerful fish
Action can also be referred to as Fast to Slow. A fast action bends in the last quarter of the rod and an extra fast action rod bends just at the tip.
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
When held horizontal, the test curve of a rod is the amount of weight that, when applied to the end of a rod will cause the rod to bend into a 90 degree curve.
Leger / Quiver Tip Fishing Rods
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A carp rod of 2.5lb or 2.75lb test curve will cover most waters but ask advice from the tackle dealer as he will know most of the waters in the area. Carp rods over 2.75lb test curve are more for the experienced big fish specialists.
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.
When buying a rod for carp or barbel fishing choose one that feels comfortable. Ask in the tackle shop if you can put one or two together to see what they feel like, do they feel heavy, do they seem too long?
Used for casting spods, bait dispensers filled with bait, which can weigh 8 ounces or more both accurately and at great distances
Action
Action, 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.