Five Things to Consider When Buying Your First Saltwater Fishing Rod

If you want to buy your first saltwater fishing rod, you should do some research that will help you decide on the best choice for you. In t...

If you want to buy your first saltwater fishing rod, you should do some research that will help you decide on the best choice for you. In this article, we have gathered five things that you should consider before purchasing. Once you have read this article, check out this following one with a list of the best saltwater fishing rods.

Fishing Rod Power Rating – Why Does It Matter?

You might have already noticed that fishing rods are classified by their power rating. The power rating runs from light to heavy. Heavy power rods are better for catching species that are big and strong. If you usually catch smaller fish, you might want a light rod.

You should choose the power of a rod based on the species or type of fish you are interested in catching. Usually, saltwater fishing rods with higher power ratings are better.

While choosing a rod for saltwater fishing, you should also consider the action, length, material, and handle. These four things should be chosen mostly based on your fishing style and individual preferences.

Five Factors to Consider

Power

The power of a rod refers to the ability of it to handle different weights of fish. You need to make a decision about the power of your saltwater rod based on the species you want to get. In most cases for saltwater, fishing rods with higher power are better.

Action

The action of a rod defines how much a rod can bend under pressure. When a fish pulls the line, the rod needs to be able to bend in order to not break. You can choose a rod with fast action, slow action, or medium action. The first is a rod which bends only at the tip. The slow action bends much more, and the medium is something in between the other two.

Length

The length of your rod defines the casting distance, as well as accuracy and leverage when you have a fish on the hook.  However, if you are planning to fish in a tighter space, for example, right next to the shore or while ice fishing, a shorter rod is much better. They might be ideal for freshwater fishing. However, while choosing a saltwater fishing rod, you should opt for a long rod. Longer rods are usually good for casting further away. They also provide more leverage, which is crucial while saltwater fishing.

Material

There is a variety of materials that are used to produce fishing rods. Some of the most popular are fiberglass, graphite, and a mixture of both. You need to choose the material based on your own preferences. Check the advantages and disadvantages of each of the mentioned materials to know what suits your fishing style best.

Handle

A rod’s handle needs to be comfortable for you to hold. It is also crucial that a handle has a good grip so it won’t slide when you use it. It’s worth checking how a handle works when it’s wet, as water can reduce the traction properties. Some of the most common materials used to produce rod handles are neoprene, foam, and cork.