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Improve Your Chances of Pulling Up a Monster by Choosing the Right Fishing Rod
Every year, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 35,000 Americans pack their rods and tackle and head to their favorite body of water to fish. For some, this means getting luxury lodge rentals in Alaska, and taking advantage of the pristine waters of the Kenai River to pull up some of the most beautiful salmon in the world. Others are a bit more casual, taking their friends and family to the local creek to pull up a few sunnies.
Whether you’re the type who spends hours researching river fishing techniques or fishing is more about tossing a bobber into the water and leaving it there for the day, the key to your success is your fishing rod. Your rod is the most essential entry on your fishing trip checklist, and if you make the wrong choice, choosing river fishing rods when you’re going deep sea fishing, for example, the likelihood that you’re going to catch anything plummets. Don’t let this happen to you. Help ensure a memorable, successful fishing trip, whether you’re gunning for the many types of fish in Alaska or those you can find right here at home, by following this simple guide.
Three Tips for Choosing the Right Fishing Rod
- Take the Action into Consideration
- Stay Away from Rods with “Won’t Break” Guarantees
- Choose Something That Feels Good
For About.com, one of the first things you should consider is the action of each rod. Rods with softer action are the way to go if you’re fishing with live bait, as the kick back is minimal enough to avoid tossing your bait off your hook. Rods with fast action give you a bit more oomph in your cast, but they come with a lot of kick. Consider the bait you’re going to use and your fishing location to choose something with the appropriate level of action.
The last few years have seen the release of many new rods that come with a “never breaks” guarantee. That sounds great at first — who doesn’t want to save money on replacing rods every year? — but, as the online fishing gear retailer Tackle Warehouse points out, rods that are built not to break are typically too stiff and too heavy. They might never break, but they’re also not going to catch you many fish.
Whether they’re looking at river fishing rods or something meant to fight a bull shark, too many anglers make the mistake of underestimating how important comfort is to a great rod. The last thing you need is to be sitting on a skiff in the hot sun for hours at a time with a rod that makes your hands hurt. Choose something comfortable to make the experience more enjoyable.
Are you an experienced angler? Do you have any tips for choosing the right ocean or river fishing rods? Let us know in the comments below. More.