You should consider your level of fishing experience, game fish and environment when choosing your new fishing rod. Learn more about the different models at DICK'S Sporting Goods:
Casting/Conventional Rods: Designed to have the reel and guides on the top, casting rods are most effective for anglers looking to cast several hundred times during a fishing trip.
- Generally match up best with baitcasting reels.
- Most casting rods can handle heavy line and fish in dense cover and water vegetation.
Spinning Rods: Ranging in length from 5 to 8 feet, this model positions the reel and guides on the bottom of the pole to provide smooth, accurate casts.
- Longer spinning rods with elongated grip handles for two-handed casting are frequently used for saltwater or steelhead and salmon fishing.
- Spinning rods are also widely used for trolling and still fishing with live bait.
- The handle length is balanced against the rod's length.
Saltwater Casting/Conventional Rods: The reel and line are located on top of the rod, and the trigger grip lets you securely clutch the rod while releasing the thumb bar.
- Designed with a quick taper at the rod tip for accuracy and a large backbone at the lower portion of the rod for stability.
- Saltwater bait-casting rods can be made from fiberglass or graphite.
- Fiberglass is more durable and has greater lifting power than graphite, which makes it a preference for larger fish such as tuna and yellowtail.
- Graphite rods are more bait sensitive and work well for surf fishing and open water, where bait may be cast over a greater distance.
Power and action are two essential functions of your new fishing rod:
Power: A rod's resistance to flexing is known as its power. This ranges from ultra-light to ultra-heavy or other similar classifications. If you're after larger game fish, you may need a rod with more power.
Action: This impacts your casting distance and accuracy. The smaller the fish, the lighter the action that you'll need, while the heavier the fish, the heavier the action.
