Salt Water Fishing Rod

The amount of experience you have, your preferred methods of fishing, and the type of fish you're looking to catch are all important considerations when searching for a salt water fishing rod to purchase. There are several other factors, listed below, to consider about the rods themselves when purchasing.

• Types
• Length and Weight
• Action
• Lure and Line weight
• Materials and Construction
• Grips
• Line Guides

Types
There are two main types of salt water fishing rod: Baitcasting rods and spinning rods. The type of reel you plan to use is an important consideration in choosing the type of rod to purchase.

Baitcasting Salt Water Fishing Rods
With baitcasting rods, the reel and line are on top of the rod. A trigger grip, so called because it looks like a trigger on a gun, is a good choice with this setup, because it lets you hold the rod securely while releasing the thumb bar/line release.

Spinning Saltwater Fishing Rods
Spinning rods use a spinning reel. On this type of setup, the reel and line hangs from the bottom of the rod. On spinning rods, the handle length is balanced against the rod's length.

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Length and Weight
The length and weight of your salt water fishing rod depends on the type of fish that you want to catch and your fishing style. For bigger fish, a longer cast is needed and so, a longer rod. Bottom-fishing rods are usually about 10 feet long and take 6 to 30 pound test line. A baitcasting reel is the usual choice for this type of rod. Boat rods are a bit smaller than the bottom-fishing rods, about 5.5 to 6 feet. They are designed to handle a much stouter line, however, 50-130-pound test! Baitcasting reels are the usual choice for this type of rod as well. Surfcasting vary from 6 to 15 feet in length, and the right length depends on how far you need to cast and the weight of lure you are using. A 10-foot surfcasting rod will allow you to throw a 2 to 4 oz. lure about 200 feet. In contrast with bottom-fishing and boat rods, surfcasting rods generally are used with spinning reels.

Action
The action of a fishing rod refers to the sensitivity of the rod and how it reacts when a fish is on the line. It is also related to the bait you are using and the strength of the reel that should be used . In general, smaller fish require lighter action, while bigger fish require a heavier action rod. The terms you will most encounter while shopping for a rod are ultra-light, light, medium-heavy or heavy.

Lure and Line weight
In general terms, the bigger or heavier the lure/bait, the heavier and longer your rod will need to be.

Materials/Construction
The vast majority of salt water fishing rods today are made from either graphite, fiberglass, or a composite of the two materials. Graphite rods are lighter, more flexible rods that have a higher "sensitivity," allowing you to feel when a fish begins to nibble on your bait. Fiberglass rods provide more durability than graphite, but sacrifices some sensitivity and is heavier than graphite. Composites combine the best features of graphite and fiberglass: the durability of fiberglass and the light weight, power, and sensitivity of graphite.

Grips
A pistol grip is the shortest type of grip and is contoured to the shape of your hand with a hook for your index finger. This hook helps in casting more accurately. Another type of grip is called the triggerstick and is used for longer, two-handed casts. Grips come in two different types of materials, cork or EVA foam. Cork is the more traditional material of the two and has a good feel and a solid grip. EVA foam is more durable than cork, as it is designed to be more resistant to temperature changes and water wear.

Line Guides
Line guides can be made of plastic, metal, or ceramic, with plastic being the lowest quality and ceramic being the highest. These circles are attached to the rod's shaft and are positioned to control the 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 retrieving. With spinning rods, the line guides are positioned on the bottom of the rod. These guides get larger toward the base of the rod. The number of line guides is determined by the rod's length as well as by the quality of the rod.

Buying combos
Fishing Rod and Reel Combos are a great way to start if you are new to fishing. With rod and reel combos, the manufacturer matches the right reel with the right rod. In this case, all you need to do is determine the type of fishing that you want to do and then find the combo that best suits your needs. Like everything else, additional features and higher quality parts will result in a higher overall price for the combo. A good rod and reel combo, though, can last you a lifetime if cared for properly.