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How To Buy a Fishing Rod
As anglers, knowing our gear is important. Finding a good rod starts with three basic considerations: your experience, your preferred way of fishing and the type of fish you are after. There are several styles to choose from.
Fishing Rod Construction 
Types
There are two main types of fishing rod--baitcasting and spinning. The type of rod you buy depends as much on the reel you buy as the type of fishing that you plan to do.
- Baitcasting rod
Shop for Baitcasting Rods
- The reel and line are seated on top of the rod
- A trigger grip lets you hold the rod securely while releasing thethumb bar/line release
- Spincasting reels generally match up best with baitcasting and casting rods because they sit on top of the rod are are designed to fit this way
- Spinning rod
Shop for Spinning Rods
- Spinning rods use a spinning or spincasting reel. These rods have three main differences from casting rods.
- The reel hangs from the bottom of the reel seat, and the line guides are on the bottom as well
- The handle length is balanced against the rod's length
- Triggers are not used on spinning rods
Length and weight
- This depends of the type of fish that you want to catch
- Typically, the bigger the fish, the longer the cast so the longer the rod
Lure and line weight
- The heavier the lure and line, the longer and heavier the fishing rod that you should buy
Action
- Action describes the way a rod is designed to perform when casting or reeling in a fish
- It also relates to the lure or bait you need and the strength of the reel that should be used
- Most manufacturers use terms such as ultra-light, light, medium-heavy or heavy
- The smaller the fish, the lighter the action that you'll need; the heavier the fish, the heavier the action that you should buy
Materials/Construction
Most fishing rods today are made from either graphite or fiberglass, or a composition of these two materials.
- Graphite
- Graphite has been refined over the years to provide lighter, more flexible rods that give you "sensitivity," a big plus in feeling when a fish begins to nibble on your bait
- This material is also strong enough to land a larger fish
- Fiberglass
- Fiberglass provides more durability than graphite but sacrifices some sensitivity and is heavier than graphite
- Composites
- New composite rods give you the best of both graphite and fiberglass--the durability of fiberglass combined with the lightweight, power and sensitivity of graphite
Grips
- Pistol grip
- A pistol grip is the shortest type of grip
- It is contored to the shape of your hand with a hook for your index finger
- This hook helps in casting more accurately
- Triggerstick
- A longer triggerstick is used for two-handed, longer casts
- Materials
- Materials come in two general styles - cork or EVA foam
- Cork is a traditional material that has a good feel and solid grip
- EVA foam offers more durability because it is more resistant to temperature changes and water wear
- Guides
- Line guides can be made of plastic, metal or ceramic, listed from least to best quality. These circles are positioned to the rod's shaft to control fishing line.
- In casting rods, line guides are positioned on top of the rod. They are smaller to reduce the play in the line and allow for easier casting and quicker retrieve.
- Spinning rods place the line guides on the rod's bottom. These guides get larger toward the base of the rod.
- The number of line guides is determined by the rod's length
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