Fishing is a relaxing hobby that can improve both your mood and your mental health. But without the proper equipment, it can be a frustrating experience. In addition, you may be unsure of what type of rod to use or whether you should go for carbon fiber or graphite. This article will help you decide which will benefit you more and why each type has its unique qualities—and avoid being tricked by marketing talk.
What Is Fishing When It Comes Down To It?
Fishing is the practice of catching fish, a family of fin-swimming vertebrates that live in water. In fishing, the goal is to catch fish. Fishing can also be regarded as a recreational pastime or sport and is often done for fun or livelihood. Fish can be freshwater (caught in lakes) or saltwater (caught in oceans and seas) fish. It is not fishing if you are not trying to catch any heavy fish, for example, fly fishing with a fly or some other kind of lure. Fishing without the intention of catching fish is called angling (e.g., fly fishing for fun).
What Is A Fishing Rod?
A rod (pole or staff) is a long slender staff or stick held with one hand and used to strike, propel, or propel a projectile using leverage. Fishing rods are designed to cast, press, or pull a lure (called a “bait” in the UK) either on an attached fishing line or with no hook or lure at all. Fishing rods are used for sport, catching food such as fish or crustaceans, and sometimes for artistic purposes. They are also used in conjunction with bait to catch fish. Graphite fishing rods can be assembled rigidly or, more usually, made of sections connected using flexible joints.
How Do Carbon Fiber Fishing Rods Compare With Graphite Fishing Rods
Carbon fiber fishing rods are typically lighter than graphite rods. The carbon fiber itself is highly durable. It is often used in spacecraft and airplanes because it’s light, strong, flexible, and resistant to heat. You don’t have to take much care either. You can even use the same rod without caring for it over some time, not taking care of the bag or wrapping your line around it, and the rod will remain in perfect condition. Carbon fiber rods are also less susceptible to damage if they get bent or damaged. And bouncing is harder on carbon fiber rods than graphite, making them more durable and long-lasting.
Types Of Fishing Rod
Rod manufacturer creates different types of rods to suit a range of fishing applications. The rod type you choose depends on your fishing situation, preferences, objectives, and budget. Anglers have various rod materials to choose from, and choosing the right rod for your fishing techniques is essential to success. Here’s a look at some of the different types of fishing rods you may find available in your area.
Aluminum Fishing Rod
Aluminum can be used to make a powerful fishing rod. These types of fishing rods are very light and bend easily compared to graphite or carbon fiber rods. Various shapes are available for the preference of the professional angler.
Carbon Fiber Fishing Rod
Carbon fiber rods are great because they are incredibly light, strong, and resistant to damage. These fishing rods can be used for a long time without bending or breaking, or getting damaged. They can be found in many lengths, shapes, and sizes for the preference of the angler.
Graphite Fishing Rod
Graphite fishing rods have been around since the 1970s. Graphite fibers initially made them, but now they’re more commonly made with composite materials that simulate a graphite rod. They are also extremely light and durable. These fishing rods are also available in various sizes, shapes, and lengths for the angler’s preference.
Fiberglass Rod
Fiberglass fishing rod is excellent for beginner anglers. They are incredibly light and much less expensive than other types of fishing rods. However, fiberglass materials don’t last as long and are not as strong or durable as graphite or carbon fiber fishing rods. That is why you don’t see them used by professional fishermen.
Wood Fishing Rods/ Composite Fishing Rods
Wood fishing rods have been around for years and years. They were initially made with natural wood, but they’re often made with composite material that will simulate a wood rod. The anglers have a choice of various shapes, sizes, and lengths for preference of the angler. However, they are cumbersome and usually more expensive than other types of fishing rods.
Baitcasting Rod
Baitcasting rods are designed to cast heavier fishing lures or larger baits further and more accurately. As a result, their rods and reels are more prominent, with more gears than what you’ll find in a spinning rod. Baitcasters are also often equipped with a swivel to allow casting when a line isn’t tight enough.
Trolling Rods
Trolling fishing rods are a type of fishing pole that’s designed to be fished in calm waters. They usually have big fishing reels than a baitcasting or spinning rod, which will help you hold more lines when trolling. You can also use a trolling rod for areas with steady currents like rivers or lakes.
Spinning Rods
Spinning fishing rods are the most common type of fishing rod. They are designed to cast lighter lures and buzz baits. As a result, they’re usually smaller in size and have a lighter weight than other types of fishing rods. Spinning rods work best for areas with light currents like lakes or ponds and rivers without many currents. They’re also commonly used in saltwater fish such as redfish, bass, flounder, and tuna.
Bamboo Fly Rods
Fly fishing rods are the most extended fishing rods on the market. They’re designed for fishing with flies that have larger hook and weight combinations. These fishing rods can cast these flies and catch larger fish that are not accessible with other types of fishing.
Rod Lure Weights And Lengths
Rod lengths range from nine inches, used with a spinning reel, up to 16 feet for special deep-sea trolling applications. Shorter rods—six or seven feet in length—are used for ultralight spinning. Some rods are also designed to hold heavy baitcasting or spinning reels, and these are commonly used for steelhead and salmon fishing in the Northern Hemisphere and big-game fish in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rod Action And Power
Action refers to how fast a rod bends (the amount of curve) when you strike an aggressive fish or set the hook. Action is a function of flex, power, and length. Most of the action in a rod is determined by the length of the rod. But you can also adjust this by purchasing a rod with the fastest action, medium-action, or slower action reel seat. A fast-action is best for smaller lures and trout fishing, but you’ll sacrifice casting distance if you buy it. A medium-action will give you better casting distance on lures and provides faster action, but small lures will feel like they are getting stuck in your hands while casting.
The Difference Between Carbon Fiber VS Graphite Fishing Rod
- Carbon fiber is lighter than graphite. So carbon fiber rods will be easier to cast and less likely to tire you out as fast.
- Graphite is more readily available than carbon fiber. So it will be less expensive for you to get a graphite rod than a carbon fiber rod.
- Carbon fiber is more resistant to heat than graphite. They’re also easier to repair if they break, which is an advantage that carbon fiber has over graphite.
Fish Bait
The fish bait that you use is vital to the success of your fishing trip. It doesn’t matter what type of fish you’re trying to catch, so long as you have the correct type of bait with you.
- Nightcrawlers
- Hares Ears
- Jigs
- Jerkbaits
- Flyfishing jigs
- Minnow Baits
- Pumpkin Seed Bait
- Pinfish Baits
Summary
Carbon fiber rods do not flex at the end; therefore, you need to be careful when casting and reeling in your line because you can yank the rod out of your hand without catching it. Nevertheless, if you are looking for the best fishing rod that can handle the most challenging fish, or if you want a very high-quality rod that doesn’t break in half every time you catch a big fish, Carbon Fiber is the way to go. The only problem with carbon fiber is that it is costly.