In the past, fishing was done following some simple methods as no one used any types of fishing rods. People used to catch fish with hands or sometimes using a bow and arrow.
But as the year progressed and humans evolved, we started to invent new and efficient catching fish methods. Hence fishing rods were created.
No matter how or why you catch fish, the fishing methods today require various tools. One of the most common tools used for fishing nowadays is fishing rods.
New types of fishing rods are made based on what kind of fish you want to catch and what kind of water body you wish to catch fish on. These fishing rods have different lengths, weights, and how much water it can cover.
We know all this information can be a bit hard to process all at once. But do not get discouraged because, in this article, we;ll describe the fishing rods and what purpose they serve.
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what are the different types of fishing rods
Fishing rods can be different based on two factors. One is building material, and another is the use scenario. Here they are:
Types Of Fishing Rods based on building materials
At the beginning of time, when fishing rods were first invented, all types of fishing rods were mostly made out of bamboo. Bamboo is an excellent material to use as a fishing rod.
But as time passed, people started using fiberglass and graphite for making fishing rods. We might think that building material is not that important when selecting a fishing rod, but it is. Continue reading to find out why.
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Bamboo
This material is quite commonly used to make fishing rods as you can make a bamboo fishing rod yourself if you know how to do it.
While most people use bamboo fishing rods because they can make it themselves, bamboo fishing rods have their unique experience while fishing.
It is the heaviest material among the three and not as versatile compared to the other two. The bamboo fishing rods are suitable for small or slightly big streams.
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Fiberglass
When it comes to durability, flexibility, and pricing, fiberglass fishing rods are more durable and flexible while being less costly compared to bamboo fishing rods.
People started to use fiberglass for making fishing rods around the 1940s, and till then, it has become the favorite fishing rod for newcomers who do not know much about fishing.
The extra durability and flexibility make sure the line does not break for some simple mistakes.
While suitable for beginners, do not think it is just that. You can catch almost any type of fish using a fiberglass fishing rod because of its versatility.
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Graphite rods for fishing
Most expert anglers prefer the graphite fishing rod. These rods are lighter than both bamboo and fiberglass rods and, at the same time, it is more robust. It was first used in making fishing rods in the 1960s.
Because of its lightweight, manufacturers can make longer fishing rods with graphite, which was impossible before.
No matter the condition or size of the water-body you are fishing in, the graphite fishing rods can handle it all and is suitable in every scenario.
Professional fishers use graphite rods as they have to angle all day. It does not matter if the weather condition is good or bad; the graphite rods are what you need.
Now that we know about the building materials of fishing rods, let us see the difference in fishing rods based on their use scenarios.
Types Of Fishing Rods based on use scenarios
Fishing rods can be different based on how you want to use it. There are quite a lot of them, so get ready to enrich your knowledge about best fishing rods.
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Spinning-Rods
Spinning fishing rods are suitable for newcomers as it is relatively easy to use.
The setup of the rod is not that complicated, and using the method is also very simple. This rod is used for spin fishing, a style that lures predator fishes by spinning that bait in a specific manner.
A spinning rod can be of many sizes. The size of the rod is essential while selecting a fishing rod. You need to choose a rod size that is easy to handle and is compatible with your body height.
If you are a tall guy and opt for a smaller sized rod, it can hamper the range you can cover with the perfect sized rod.
On the other hand, if you are a comparatively short person and select a longer rod, it will reduce the rod’s handling and hamper your fishing experience.
As the spinning rods do not require any complicated fishing methods, the rod’s line does not get tangled, and the spinning reel increases the retrieval speed.
But do not expect to catch any big fish with this rod as the line and bait you want to use for this is relatively limited to smaller ones.
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Casting-Rods
Casting rods are slightly different, and the using technique is a bit complex compared to a spinning rod.
The casting technique may seem weird hence new anglers tend to stay away from using a casting rod. While it does use a different casting method, the casting rod is also used for spin fishing.
Casting rods are capable of handling heavier baits and lines. These qualities enable it to catch bigger fishes compared to a spinning rod.
Though this fishing rod is the cheapest among the fishing rods, most people may consider using it as a learning tool.
But as we mentioned before, the casting rod requires a specific casting method, which can leave you with a tangled line every time you cast your line if not appropriately mastered.
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Fly-Rods
Fly-Rods are different from casting-rods and spinning-rods and is only used for what is known as fly fishing. The reel for this type of rod is unique as well, and it is called fly-reel, which is the only compatible reel for fly-rods.
Fly-rods are very light weighted and require specific skills to use it. Fly-Rods can be overwhelming for newcomers, but with enough experience, one can surely master its techniques.
It is light-weighted and uses light reels and baits and not suitable for fishing in deep waters. These Rods usually bend a lot compared to other rods. This quality allows it to cast the reel to a long distance.
The price of this rod is higher compared to the previous two reels. So, if you are a newcomer but you especially want to learn fly fishing, consider buying a fly-rod only then.
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Ultralight-Rods
As the name suggests, the ultralight-rods are very light. They are also traditionally smaller and more comfortable to carry around than other fishing rods.
Though experienced anglers like to use a small-sized ultralight-rod nowadays, you can find ultralight-rods that are relatively large as well.
Because of its light-weight, the ultra-light rods use a lighter reel and bait and usually lure many small fishes. So, do not expect to catch big fishes with this type of fishing rod.
If you have seen a telescope before or have any idea of it, you should understand why this fishing rod has such a name. Just like a telescope, the telescopic-fishing-rod can collapse and expand in times of use.
In terms of mobility, this can be considered one of the best types of fishing rods. So, if you are a traveling person who also likes fishing, the telescopic-fishing-rod can be a suitable option for you.
The telescopic rods are relatively versatile and compatible with both heavy and light lines and lures. Though built for carrying around in a collapsed state, this collapsing mechanism can be considered a shortcoming for a telescopic-fishing-rod.
Constantly collapsing and extending the rod without being careful can cause it to get stuck during the process.
Surf-Rods are used for fishing from a sea-shore and are quite massive in terms of length. This Types Of Fishing Rods are trendy among expert anglers due to their long length and use scenario.
They have a large grip along with the long length of the rod for better handling. As they are meant to use in the sea, they have to be durable enough to resist the strong sea waves.
These rods are compatible with more massive reels and baits too. You have to learn how to cast a surf-rod before thinking about using one.
Because of their enormous length, the surf rods can be quite hard to handle without enough experience. The longer length allows anglers to move closer or further from the shore if they want to.
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Trolling-Rods
The Trolling-Rods are very durable and a suitable option for fishing in a moving boat in deeper waters.
This rod can handle heavy reel and baits and have superior fighting power compared to the previous ones.
As they are used in challenging situations where they have to fight the fish and the unsafe water while moving, they have to be very resistant.
Trolling-Rods are more suited for experienced anglers who like to fish in the sea or larger bodies of water.
Newcomers can also pick up a surf rod, but they need proper supervision and learn the essential techniques of using a Trolling-Rod.
Conclusion
So, these are the most common types of fishing rods. As you can see, there are different types of fishing rods suitable for serving specific purposes and requiring a certain level of skill before using.
There are fishing rods that are more welcoming towards newcomers, and there are also rods that require more experience but can be more productive if you have enough skills!
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