Expensive rods come in various types, lengths, purposes, and prices. Some are cheap, while others are relatively expensive. One of the most common questions we’ve had is if expensive fishing rods are worth buying?
More expensive rods are usually more sensitive. It means that it will be able to detect even smaller fish bites. Hence, it is more fun to use than their cheaper counterparts. From $50 to $300 fishing rod, there’s so much difference. Based on looks, built, and performance – most of the time, expensive fishing rods win.
As the saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for.’ The more you pay means more features you could get. However, it doesn’t mean that you would always settle with the most expensive ones. As a rule of thumb, get something that has excellent durability and features that you will need for fishing.
How Much Should You Invest In Fishing Rods?
You can enjoy excellent fishing using a $20 rod. It’s enough to perform much better and probably last longer. As technology improves, you can buy efficient fishing equipment at reasonable prices nowadays. However, take note that the amount still depends upon the fish species that you are attempting to catch.
A quality rod does make a huge difference. The extra money buys you more immersion, graphite structure, and more sticks that enable us to throw farther, control fish greater, and drop our lure with pinpoint accuracy. A fishing rod needs to meet specific needs, so when purchasing any rod, always attempt to match fishing lures, species, and style of baits.
As the cost increases, you’d be amazed to feel the gaps between $20 or $100 or $300 or $500 sticks when you hold it in your hands. There is a rod for every manner of fishing at every price point. Use the best you can justify, but what’s most important is to get fishing.
Fishing Rod Terms and Parts That You Should Know
Let us talk about some of the most common fishing rod terms and parts that you should know when it comes to buying one. You must understand each component that makes up your fishing rod. This way, you know the features that make a fishing rod relatively expensive.
Fishing Rod Terms
Action
It explains how much of the fishing rod bends if you place pressure on the suggestion. A quick action rod will bend in just the upper third or less of this blank. On the other hand, a medium or moderate action will bend at the top half. Sometimes slow-motion rods or what they call as ‘parabolic’ means that the bend of the pole is similar throughout the span. The kind of bait you use will generally determine the action of this pole you should utilize.
Fast action rods are fantastic for most applications where a short to long casting space is involved, and single hooks are the principle. Meanwhile, moderate and medium-fast rods will usually supply a bit more casting distance and provide adequate hook setting power. These activities are often suitable for applications that demand treble hooks, such as crankbaits and topwater lures or other response baits such as spinnerbaits.
Taper
Sometimes used synonymously with “action,” taper defines not only the thickness of the rod but also the thickness of the surface of the blank. Moreover, it tells which part on the fishing rod has less material to allow more bending capacity.
Power
It clarifies the strength of the rod, or it’s lifting power. Whenever someone says that this rod has a lot of backbone, they mean it has a great deal of power. Power ratings are often described as heavy, moderately heavy, moderate, and so on. It is relatively essential to maintain your line evaluation within limits published on the pole since a massive power pole will snap light lines too easily and heavy lines may snap a light pole.
The type of water you’re fishing will help ascertain the power of the pole you should select. The thick and heavy cover will demand a solid rod to find the fish out until it could tie you up. Clear and open water will often require thin, hard to see lines to get bit, which means that you’ll need a lighter power rod.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness is very similar to modulus that is an idea reflecting the capability of the entire pole to bend under load and then discharge the stored energy from the throw. A finished pole may be the result of distinct layers of different material, all of which contributes to the responsiveness of the rod. One thing is for sure, the milder the rod, especially the trick, the more responsive it’s going to be. In general, the higher the modulus, the more efficiently it will store and release energy, which provides you with the ability to flick a right cast on a lower trajectory.
Fishing Rod Parts
Guides
Silicon carbide, or SiC, is your very best material now. It offers an extra smooth surface with less friction on the line during the cast and the recovery. Less friction means longer incisions and less heat, and heat kills when it comes to fishing lines. Alconite is another smooth material that is not as costly as SiC. Hardloy and aluminum oxide are additional ceramic materials which are quite serviceable and are located on most rods available on the market today, which are incredibly inexpensive.
These guides will spring back into position even if they are bent horizontally. Standard stainless steel guides split instead of turning, necessitating expensive and annoying repairs. Some proprietary guides utilize a ring of stainless steel rather than ceramic. These rings aren’t anywhere near as easy as the ceramic inserts but are very lightweight, reducing the overall weight of the pole.
A fishing rod with more guides onto it will normally throw better and cost over the same pole with fewer guides. More guides on the rod mean that it will bend more often through its length. Hence, it enables you to utilize all the power for longer casts and battling fish.
Cork Handle
You need to have a smooth and flexible handle with enough grip, even when it’s wet, which transmits the delicate vibrations of a big bass that picks up your worm. A good, clean, fresh, bright, high-quality cork grip is a beautiful thing.
Nevertheless, the quality of the cork varies considerably with the size. Most fishing rod manufacturers base the grade of cork on the total cost of the rod; Generally, you’ll get the best cork with the most costly rods.
Reel Seats
The reel seat is responsible for holding the reel on the rod. Most anglers prefer graphite seats with a cutout which allows you to feel the blank. The cheapest rods will utilize reel seats that don’t have a plastic pillow within the metal hoods that the toes of this reel fit into it. They can bind up, also, making it challenging to remove your coil. Cheap rods, especially those made offshore, will have cardboard spacers between the reel seat and the rod blank that will dampen vibration and will tear easily.
If you consider all these factors, it’s easy to see why the top rods cost so much money. It is particularly true of contemporary bass sticks since anglers demand fast, crisp action, the lightest weight possible, and also the capacity to take a beating on the deck of your ship, in the pole, or at the rear of your pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nowadays, we have to be wise in spending our hard-earned money. If your budget would allow you to buy more expensive fishing rods that offer ‘more’ features that you’ll need, then go for it. However, if you are only fishing for fun, then you can always settle for cheaper ones. Regardless of the price, you must ensure its quality, safety, and extra features that you can use as you learn new fishing skills.
What size fishing rod should I use?
The size of the fishing rod that you should use depends on the fish species that you want to catch. Generally, the length ranges from 6 to 12 feet. In choosing, always consider the fish species behavior, and where you will find it. For starters, you can use fishing rods with 7 feet length.
Should I get a medium or medium-heavy rod?
When fishing with spinnerbaits, use at least a medium/heavy power rod because of the larger single hook. A medium or heavy rod with a fast action provides an excellent balance for most spinnerbaits up to half an ounce. When fishing baits higher than half an ounce, an extra fast action will provide better casting.
How much are fishing rods worth?
You can start investing in fishing rods that are between $20 to $5. As you expand your fishing arsenal, you can always look for more expensive fishing rods with many extra features. Regardless, make sure that you are getting a fishing rod that offers the highest durability and can withstand tears even for long-term use.