| See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly moving | | | | Fresh Water Or Salt Water? |
| stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, your fishing | | | | Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, rivers and |
| rod bent beneath the weight of an unusually large | | | | streams, while saltwater fishing is done in oceans and |
| catch. | | | | along the coast. Choose a rod appropriate to the |
| Whether or not you land that fish depends on the | | | | environment. |
| decisions you made at the shop -- primarily the type of | | | | Plan For Species Of Fish |
| rod. | | | | Short, strong rods are best for landing game fish. |
| The ABCs Of Fishing Rods | | | | Stronger and thicker rods should be used for large, |
| Your rod is the most important tool you will use while | | | | aggressive fish. Such fish could break a lighter pole. |
| fishing, and you can chose from a wide range of | | | | Select Rod By Material |
| types, styles and lengths. | | | | Common types of fishing rods include bamboo, |
| A fishing rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, | | | | fiberglass and graphite. |
| wood or bamboo used to catch fish (duh). Fishing | | | | Bamboo rods can be a basic, inexpensive pole with a |
| filament (line), is threaded through the ferrules (eyes) | | | | line attached, to very expensive handcrafted rods that |
| along the rod. The ferrule at the tip directs the cast. 1 | | | | are used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up |
| end of the line winds around a reel at the base of the | | | | to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing rods. |
| pole. The other end of the line has a baited hook | | | | If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, fiberglass or |
| attached to it. | | | | graphite rods are best. |
| Fishing rods vary from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet, | | | | Fiberglass rods are good for beginners and kids and |
| with the average being 6 feet long. Rod length is | | | | they're reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, |
| chosen based on: the species of fish you target and | | | | flexibility characteristics, and require very little |
| the environment you will fish at. | | | | maintenance. |
| Landscape | | | | Many experienced anglers prefer graphite rods, |
| If your fishing hole is beside trees with overhead | | | | because they are very lightweight and extremely |
| branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. Flexibility -- | | | | strong. |
| the amount the rod can bend before breaking -- is | | | | A Fitting Rod |
| determined by the diameter of the pole. Light rods are | | | | Your goal should be to find a rod that fits your arm |
| thin and flexible, while stronger rods are thicker and | | | | and is comfortable. If you have trouble choosing, ask |
| more rigid. | | | | someone with experience to go along or just ask the |
| For open terrain, flexible, thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet | | | | staff at a fishing store. A few pointers will quickly get |
| long are good, unless it is too windy. | | | | you on your way -- to a world of fun. |