Purchasing A First Fishing Rod

Not too many things can match the peacefulness that a person can enjoy while sitting out on the water in a boat, fishing rod in hand, waiting for the first catch to take your bait. It's an almost curative experience, so it certainly shouldn't come as any surprise that fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States.

Some of the most hard core fishing enthusiasts will tell you that your performance at fishing can only be as good as your fishing equipment so it is important to buy a good fishing pole. Unfortunately when you are new to fishing you probably won't be able to discern the good from the not so good, so here are a few tips that will help you in selecting a fishing pole of your choice that will serve you for a lifetime.

When buying a fishing pole you'll probably be blown away by the massive range of choices staring you in the face. One method of selecting would be to go into the local angling shop and pick the first fishing pole that you lay your eyes on but this probably won't be a very successful strategy. Another method would be to carefully consider the aspects of each rod.

The Weight - Gone are those days when rods were almost exclusively made out of bamboo. Technological advancements have now reached the fishing rod industry and today most rods are made out of synthetic composite materials. Most fishing poles fall within 1 of 4 basic weight categories: light action, medium light action, medium heavy action and heavy action. Weight categories are usually printed right onto the rod itself. The differing weights are used for different types of fish, so before you buy a rod you'll need to decide what kind of fish you want to catch with it. As a general rule, if you're fishing for trout or pan fish, go for a light action fishing rod. The heavier duty fishing rods are more suitable for catching catfish and musky while the really heavy action fishing rods will be most suitable for large Pike and large Carp. I am sure by now you see a pattern emerging, i.e. the weight of the rod should be proportionate with the weight of the fish that you catch with it.

Rod Length - The length is the next variable that you need to look at with respect to your purchase. The length that you select will depend on the location where you intend to go fishing. A more lengthy rod will put more pressure on the fish when it's on the hook. So if you intend to fish in running waters you may want to go for a longer rod. Of course because the rod is longer you'll want to select an ultra light or a light action fishing rod for your comfort. A 5 feet rod is usually great for normal water conditions while a 6 feet rod is what you would need for high water conditions.

Lastly you'll also have to make a decision on the amount of money you wish to spend on the fishing rod. Most fishing enthusiasts will tell you to not exceed a seventy dollar budget. Normally fishing rods that fall in this price range are extremely sturdy and you'll find a number of wonderful rods under this price.