English EnglishViews: 1 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-06-08 Origin: Site
Most of the rod parameters we talked about are part of the rod blank, i.e. the actual stick. Those aside, there are a few other rod components you should know about before choosing a fishing rod.
By now, you must be thinking “Do I really need to know about rod guides too?” We can’t blame you, but you’d be surprised by how much these little rings can affect the quality of your angling. There’s not a lot to them, but there are a couple of things you should know about.
Most guides are made out of metal with a ceramic coating on the inside. The coating reduces friction on the line, allowing it to move smoothly. Almost every modern fishing rod has guides with ceramic coating these days. If you happen to see one with crude metal guides, we’d advise that you avoid buying it.
The second thing you should pay attention to is the number of guides. For example, a 7’ rod can have anywhere from 6–9 guides. As a rule of thumb, the more guides a rod has, the better. More guides will distribute stress on the line and rod more evenly, and allow you to cast with more precision. Having more guides will cost more, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide how many you want to have.
The last item on our list is the one you’ll be in contact with the most, and that’s the rod handle.
The rod handle comes in two basic materials, cork or EVA foam. Most anglers agree that cork is a more comfortable material, offering more cushion and warmth on a cold day. More importantly, cork is a lot more sensitive than foam, transferring vibrations up to three times as much.
The drawback is that cork won’t last you nearly as long as foam, plus you’ll need to shell out more money for it. Cork is also harder to clean, and gets dents a lot more, especially if you’re used to keeping your rod in rod holders or leaving them on the rocks while wading.
For anglers who don’t want to stress about keeping their gear clean and tidy, foam is probably the better option.
Nowadays, you can even find carbon fiber handles which boast excellent sensitivity, but without any reliability issues. Similar to the rod blank debate, carbon fiber is a superior alternative, but it will stretch your budget a bit more.
Shape
Rod handles come in many shapes, but two stand out as the most common. These are the pistol grip and the trigger stick. The pistol grip is a short, contoured handle with a hook for your index finger. This type of handle is great for casting accuracy and precise jigging movements.
A Whole World of Options
Knowing how to choose a fishing rod doesn’t come easily. There’s a lot to consider, especially if you’re buying one for the first time. The good news is that you can avoid a lot of guesswork just by knowing what you need your rod for. As for the rest, we hope this article sorted that out.
