Purchasing a rod can be one of the most difficult parts of getting started in fishing. There are a dizzying array of options available, all claiming to be superior to the rods next to them. Before you jump into a decision you will regret, it always pays to educate yourself on just what it is you need to, and therefore should, acquire.
The first step in acquiring a fishing rod is to purchase a blank. This refers to the rod proper, which is a shaft of varying materials on which you mount a reel and some line. Shafts can be purchased in three different materials: graphite, fiberglass, and bamboo. Bamboo rods are generally used for fly fishing and can be quite expensive. Fiberglass rods are generally for beginner use, and are the type you find at your local Wal-Mart or other department type stores. Graphite is the material of choice for serious fisherman, and can be found many places online, or at your local sporting goods stores. For this article, we will concentrate on graphite rods.
Fishing rods come in varying strengths and will be measured in terms of modulus. Modulus refers to the density of the weave of the material from which the rod blank is fashioned. Graphite rods generally come with a modulus between 33 million and 60 million. The higher the modulus, the stiffer the rod will be. The higher modulus rods will also be lighter, faster, and more sensitive. As a trade-off however, high modulus rods are more brittle than lower modulus fishing rods.
Sensitivity is also an important factor when choosing a rod blank. As a general rule, the deeper the water that you are fishing in, the higher sensitivity you will want, so that you can feel the more subtle bites. The last thing you want is to have to go home and tell the story about the one that got away!
One factor that affects sensitivity of your rod, besides material of the shaft, is the handle construction. Usually the handles are made from cork or foam. You should ensure that the handle feels comfortable in your hand and that it is not too soft, otherwise you may not be able to feel those aforementioned subtle bites. Also, if you are fishing with any type of artificial bait, it is crucial to be able to feel the movement of the bait through the rod to ensure that you are enticing the fish in the proper manner.
To learn more about factors you should consider in choosing the proper rod, be sure to visit Angling Rods.com.
Allen Bohart is a fishing fan and enthusiastic writer for about any subject that interests him. He is also co-owner of Angling Rods.com, a site about fishing rods for fishing enthusiasts of all levels.
Wild Water Fly Fishing Complete 7/8 Starter PackageYou get our fantastic AX78-090-4 Series , 4 piece fly rod with a LIFETIME WARRANTY, a large arbor reel preloaded with ba... More >>
Shakespeare Cars Spincast Fishing Kit2'6" all-in-one rod and reel with line. Co-molded soft-touch handle.... More >>
Organized Fishing Fish Wall RackGreat looking fish design with consumer friendly features of durability, easy assembly, storage and access to your rods ... More >>
Crystal River Fly Fishing Combo KitOver 70 years of experience has produced tackle that's better than tactics. Pre-packaged combos make selecting the right... More >>
 |
 ROD BLANK GUIDE CLAMPS IN SETS OF 20 PIECES $15.99 Time Remaining: 17d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now |
 SALTWATER FISHING ROD 12 25 LB 2 PIECE SPINNING ROD $8.51 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 15m Bid now |
 VTG SAGE RP FLY ROD BLANK 9 5 6 WT $36.51 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 11m Bid now |
 21 inch graphite ice rod blanks with guides lite power stcroix SC II $3.99 Time Remaining: 12d 12h Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 NEW Scott A3 904 4 9 4wt $170.00 Time Remaining: 2h 36m Buy It Now for only: $190.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 NEW St Croix Legend Ultra 905 2 9 5wt $115.00 Time Remaining: 2h 37m Buy It Now for only: $155.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Lamiglas MB1083M2 Honey Saltwater Surf Rod Blank $109.00 Time Remaining: 24d 15h 5m Buy It Now for only: $109.00 Buy It Now |
 SALTWATER FISHING ROD POLE ALL ROLLER GUIDES 100 lb $44.02 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 15m Bid now |
 Oscar Travel Fly Fishing Rod 9ft 5 piece 7 9 24999 $31.58 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 19m Bid now |
 Sage One series 690 4 Fly Rod Blank 9 6wt blank $326.25 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 26m Buy It Now for only: $326.25 Buy It Now |
 SAGE Z AXIS 486 4 FLY ROD 86 4pc 4 WEIGHT $395.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 41m Bid now |
 North Fork Composites Gary Loomis SJ604 1 IM Rod Blank 6 12 lb 1 8 3 8oz NIP $119.95 Time Remaining: 10d 11h 27m Buy It Now for only: $119.95 Buy It Now |
 SAGE Z AXIS 1090 4 FLY ROD 9 4pc 10 WEIGHT $395.00 Time Remaining: 3h 41m Bid now |
 SAGE Z AXIS 6100 4 FLY ROD 10 4 piece 6 WEIGHT new w card $395.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 42m Bid now |
 Sage One series 586 4 Fly Rod Blank 86 5wt blank $324.00 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 21m Buy It Now for only: $324.00 Buy It Now |
 6 Ice Rods Nicely Re worked $10.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 51m Bid now |
 8 CORK SPINNING GRIPS WITH PAC BAY GRAPHITE RINGS $11.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 2m Bid now |
 3 Super Grade XLong Half Wells Rod Building Cork Grips $24.99 Time Remaining: 28d 8h 5m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now |
 Graphite Fly Rod Rainshadow Custom Built $155.00 Time Remaining: 5h 19m Bid now |
 HOT STIX lot of 3 pack ice fishing rod 28 medium new $8.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 20m Bid now |
 Batson Rainshadow closeout rod building blank 8 wt $45.95 Time Remaining: 19d 12h 32m Buy It Now for only: $45.95 Buy It Now |
 Bamboo Fly Rod 8 ft Custom Built $155.00 Time Remaining: 5h 54m Bid now |
 2PC 8WT9FT FLY ROD KITHigh Gloss Gray by Roger $35.00 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 12m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now |
 Bamboo Fly Rod Pack Custom Built $125.00 Time Remaining: 6h 3m Bid now |
 Custom Made Fly Rod 9 5 wt 4 piece + Extra Tip Section IM7 Graphite $145.00 Time Remaining: 6h 27m Bid now |
 3PC 4WT7FT FLY ROD KIT Translucent Green by Roger $45.00 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 12m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now |
 FALCON ORIGINAL CASTING ROD FC 4 166 CRANKER CRANK BAIT $48.23 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 44m Bid now |
 Custom Built IM6 9 5wt Fly Rod $75.00 Time Remaining: 6h 52m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Travel Fishing Rod Blank 51 M carbon fiber 7 x 3 piece 8 15 Lb NEW USA $129.95 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 34m Buy It Now for only: $129.95 Buy It Now |
 Flextec 2011 Speycaster Salmon Double Handed Fly Rod 14ft 9 10 RRP 35999 $78.98 Time Remaining: 7h 25m Bid now |
Tags: Choosing, Fiberglass, Fishing, Fishing Rod, Fishing Rods, Freshwater, freshwatwr fishing rod blanks, Graphite, Rods, www.fishingrodshakespeare.org
