Carbon Fiber vs Fiberglass fishing rods: which is better

For saltwater and freshwater anglers, there are three choices in rod materials: Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber, and Graphite. The art of combining these materials can make a rod blank perfect for the type of fishing you are looking to do next.

To better understand how these materials make a great rod, let’s isolate two materials, fiberglass and carbon fiber, and look at their unique properties.

Fiberglass Fishing Rod Blanks

Fishing Rods made of fiberglass are often the least expensive of the blank types. They are super durable, have the least sensitivity, and are least powerful when trying to turn big fish.

Fishing rods made from fiberglass flex deeply. They bend in a parabolic curve when the weight applied to the rod's tip causes the rod to bend to the butt of the rod. As we’ve discussed, this is often referred to as the rod’s action, codifying where on the rod the bend occurs; the top quarter, middle of the rod, or near the butt of the rod. Fast Action rods have their bend confined to the upper quarter of the rod.

Fiberglass Performance

Fiberglass rods are generally in the slow action and/or medium-power rod class (they mean the same thing), causing the rod to bend under stress, taking pressure away from your hook or the line. The bendability of a fiberglass rod can help you with soft-mouthed fish, keeping you from tearing a hook through.

Techniques for Fiberglass

The fishing techniques that utilize these properties of fiberglass rods include fishing off the bottom in deeper water where the structure beneath can be rugged. The forgiving tip and the bend or slower action fiberglass provides will enable you to bounce heavier tackle down deep without getting hung as often. Casting rods similarly leverage fiberglass when using deeper running crankbaits. The softer or slower action allows you to fish at various speeds in-depth, allowing your multi-hooked lure to bounce through rocks or over structure without those hooks being driven into what's below.

Carbon Fiber Rod Blanks

The fishing industry has been rolling carbon fiber blanks since the late 60s. Over this time, the process and the materials have improved. As you probably know, carbon fiber is very light, sensitive, and expensive. Carbon fiber rods produced for fishing sometimes carry the label “High Modulus”; this refers to the stiffness and rigidity of the fibers. Modulus is typically expressed in MSI (million pounds per square inch). The higher the modulus, the stiffer the material and the more resistant it is to deformation (bending).

• Standard Modulus 33 - 36 msi
• Intermediate Modulus 43 - 47 msi
• High Modulus 50+ msi

The downside of increased stiffness and sensitivity is reduced tensile strength. The stiffer the item, the more prone it is to breaking. So, when a rod manufacturer is touting a High Modulus carbon fiber rod, "ultra this" and "ultra that" keep in mind it's most likely ultra brittle.

Carbon Fiber Performance

Carbon fiber rods are generally in the fast and heavy-power rod class, causing the rod to keep its shape under stress, putting pressure on your hook or the line. This rigidity of a carbon fiber rod can help you feel and to set the hook quickly. It will also turn a large fish more easily. On the other side of these strong and fast-twitch capabilities, it delivers most of the energy of the battle to you, your line, and your tackle. The carbon fiber rod utilizes its design to stay rigid so that the energy from the fight is coming straight to your arm, shoulder, back, and legs.

Techniques for Carbon Fiber

There are many techniques where light, strong, and fast are advantageous. From dropping a 1/64 OZ panfish jig on a sloping creek channel, feeling for the slightest tap to set the hook lighting fast, to turning a saltwater fly over in a 15 mph “breeze” to drop it on the nose of a monster redfish. In these scenarios, the extra sensitivity and speed carbon fiber provides helps your chances of being successful. If you want the lightest and most rigid rod, look for a custom rod builder to get you a high-modulus blank and create a custom fishing rod that does what you need. If you are looking for a pre-built performance fishing rod, search here

Whether you choose fiberglass, carbon fiber, or some composite combination of the two materials, talk to your custom rod builder about the type of fishing you are doing and the places you like to fish. This can help you decide on a blank/base to get you the best rod you’ve ever fished with!