Carbon Fiber vs Fiberglass fishing rods: which is better

Fiberglass Rod Blanks

Rod blanks made of fiberglass are relatively inexpensive and most often the least expensive of the blank types. They are super durable, but also 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 where the weight applied to the tip of the rod 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 the time it takes the rod, which has been flexed to return to its resting position slow vs fast.

Fiberglass Performance

Fiberglass rods are generally in the slow and/or medium-power rod class, 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 which 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 fiberglass gives allows you to bounce heavier tackle down deep without getting hung up 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 around structure without those hooks being driven into what is around you.

Carbon Fiber Rod Blanks

The fishing industry has been rolling carbon fiber rod blanks since the late 60s. Over this time, the process and the materials have improved. As you probably know, carbon fiber is very light, very 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, that 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 is essentially utilizing 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 an advantage. 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 that can get you a high modulus blank and create a custom fishing rod that does what you need.

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 type of places you like to fish. This can help you both decide on a rod blank/base to get you the best rod you’ve ever fished with!