Choosing the right fishing gear as a beginner with little knowledge about this sport can be tricky.
Some of the critical factors for choosing a fishing rod are where to practice, use, and the type of fish to be caught. For example, if you’re going to fish in freshwater or saltwater, and if you’re going to do it on the shore or from a boat away from the coast.
Fish in freshwater or salt water
The first thing to define is where we are going to use the cane. If you plan to go fishing in the sea, the rod must be resistant to corrosion caused by saltwater, we must take into account that this is a factor that considerably raises the price as they are designed specifically to be used in the sea.
Action on a fishing rod
When we talk about action, we mean the flexibility of a cane, that is, how much can be doubled depending on the size and weight of the fish.
There are different types of action:
- Quick: In the reeds, fast action only bends the top. They are perfect for fishing fish, where greater sensitivity and strength are needed.
- Moderate: they bend half the length of the cane and have good sensitivity. It is an intermediate rod between fast-acting and slow-acting.
- Slow: the entire length of the cane is doubled. Keep in mind that the flexibility of the rod may depend on the type of cane and the use.
Types of fishing rod:
- Drag rods: they are also called trolling or wrestling, and are usually quite thick, but not too long.
- Surfcasting rods: they are perfect for fishing on a shore, so they are longer and allow for greater reach.
- Fly-fishing rods: they are recommended for use on a bank and by the fly fishing method. The material is usually Cork, and the handle is smaller.
- Spinning and casting rods: these are fishing rods that often weigh little to prevent tiredness and improve the accuracy of the launch.
Once we have selected our Rod, we have to know how to choose the ideal reel for Our this one. In addition to understanding the technical specifications, it is also essential to know about their manufacture and construction materials, which is ultimately what will determine how good a fishing reel is.
To determine which reel to choose, we must take into account the following:
- The type of Reel: casting, spin-cast, spinning, surfcasting, or trolling. If we do not yet have much experience in this sport and the technique you use is casting or background the best thing is to buy a reel that does not have too high cost, but without sacrificing the quality that will allow us to acquire more practice and determine which reel will serve you in future in your fishing sessions.
On the other hand, if you already have more fishing experience and have prepared a budget for a good fishing team, then choose the best option according to your needs.
- The manufacturer: certain manufacturers enjoy a reputation gained over the years with higher prices, such as Daiwa, Shimano, and Penn, who have stood out over the years for using the right quality materials and for producing long-lasting fishing reels that are resistant to severe marine conditions. Some new brands coexist, which have good quality and unfortunately do not have a high position in the market, this is the case of Yellow Tail, an economical brand and excellent quality that, in addition to Reels, has braided lines, rods, lures of different types of swimming and weights, accessories and even Kayaks.
- The manufacturing Material: it is vital for the proper functioning of our fishing equipment, the body or “shell” of the best fishing reels are made of aluminum and graphite. The best freshwater reels are made of aluminum, which adds some weight. While for fishing at sea, the preferred option for professional fishermen is graphite, as it has very good Anticorrosive properties.
- Solid construction: a good fishing reel should not have loose or disassembled parts. A fishing reel with fewer internal parts is less likely to be mechanically damaged.
Note: spinning fishing reels have more parts than casting reels.
- Weight: it is a relevant factor when buying a good fishing reel. Fishing reels with less weight will cause less fatigue to the wrist and arm, especially in those long casting sessions; however, weight is a personal taste of each fisherman.
When purchased over the internet, it is important to review within the specifications the weight of the reel, which is usually given in ounces (1 ounce = 28.35 grams).
- Size: if you fish in freshwater, where most species are smaller, it is best to use light and ultra-light equipment, not so, for the sea where conditions are different.
Therefore, whether you choose your fishing equipment on the internet or direct in physical stores, keep in mind that you decide on some model or another is a very personal thing, and many times it is a matter of taste.
Remember that it depends on where you go to practice this sport, whether the sea, river, estuary or lakes, are important factors to consider when choosing the right type of your team. If, on the other hand, you are going to catch fish of small size, it is best to select a fast-acting rod with higher sensitivity. Choose the option that suits you best based on your needs.