With so many options on the market today, choosing between a myriad of modern rods is daunting. Many of us discovered fishing on a borrowed rod, chosen by a buddy with more experience. Now it's time to outfit your own expedition, and choose your weapon accordingly. This choice depends on your target. What types of fish are you expecting to encounter? How large are they? Do they move fast in open water, or hang tight to the bottom? Let's take a look at a few common fishing scenarios that showcase the main differences between rods.
Saltwater or Freshwater
Saltwater Rods resist corrosion much better than their Freshwater cousins. This isn't the only added requirement, however. As you would expect, the ocean is where the truly gigantic species live. This is why heavy-duty Saltwater rods often use friction-reducing Roller Guides in place of standard circular guides. Saltwater also typically calls for a "Faster Action" and "Higher Power" rod. While a rod like this can withstand incredible pressure, that doesn't mean it's stiff. It can be very flexible and still remain strong, but the type of flex becomes important.
Action and Power
The flex can be described as the Action of a rod. For larger fish, a "Fast Action" rod has a heavy feel, with most of the bend occurring toward the tip. Although the Action may be described as heavy, that doesn't mean the rod itself necessarily weighs more. A Medium Action rod will bend closer to halfway down. This can provide more time between bite and setting the hook. A Freshwater rod may behave like a Saltwater rod, but classically stiffer and less-forgiving overall. The slowest rods are reserved for battling the smallest fry. They might bend nearly to the handle.
Faster Action rods often come with an increase in another related attribute: Power. As a measurement of the rod's ability to withstand great pressure and force, Power is often referred to as a Strong Backbone. This strength attribute is separate from its bend-ability. A Powerful rod can still be manufactured tough while maintaining a slower more-flexible Action.
Rod Material
Common materials include Fiberglass at the low-end, followed by more-expensive Carbon, topping out with Composite at the high-end. Better material equals a lower-weight rod. Or you could look at it this way: Better material means a rod that is able to lead heavier fish, while the rod itself remains as light as the angler needs it to be. With less energy going into holding the rod, you can focus more power into holding on to the fish. Better material also allows more-dramatic bending without a break.
Fishing Style
Fishing style greatly effects your rod choice. Fly-fishing is practically its own sport, with its own rods and reels to match. For Casting, you'll want a longer rod if you need farther casts. The Action and Power are going to depend on the weight and tenacity of the species you expect. Too slow, and the rod will bend rather than pulling the hook through. For Trolling and Jigging, let's look at two types of Saltwater rods, Tuna Rods and Halibut Rods.
Tuna Rods have a Fast Action, with a Powerful backbone and tons of flex at the tip. Particularly when trolling, a rod like this can leverage large fish that move quickly. A Halibut Rod is designed to jig. The heavy weight-handling characteristics may be similar, but the action of a Halibut Rod will be tuned to vertically bounce the lure off the ocean bottom. This rod will still provide a great deal of Power to wrestle up these particularly large fish.
Get on the Water
We may only be on the surface of a deep sea of fishing rod variations, but with this vocabulary we can decode a wealth of guidance from generations of experts out there. Folks who fish love to talk technique, and there are endless mentors speaking the craft in videos, message boards, and online articles. Most importantly, have fun, and tight lines.
