Have you ever gone into a tackle shop, and someone called out, “Hey, stupid!”? If you are shopping for a fishing rod, perhaps you think they are talking to you.

Modern rods are of varying materials and the technical descriptions in the literature are often very confusing. There are terms such as modulus graphite, action, and sensitivity. There are rods made for bass fishing, for salmon, catfish, panfish and about every species imaginable.

Most of us look for a rod to catch whatever jerks our line. So how do we pick the right rod for the job at the price we can afford? Maybe the following will help.

It is possible for the average angler to find a very serviceable rod at a reasonable price. He just needs to stop and think about the purchase in advance.

Consider the rod from tip to grip. Popular are the ones that have a blank extending through the handle. That is, the rod continues from the tip down through the handle providing strength and hook setting power without sacrificing sensitivity to light bites.

The guides through which the line is passes should be of ceramic construction. Heavy duty guides spread the load force evenly and ceramic inserts eliminate most line friction.

We need to decide what species of fish we are most likely to encounter and the technique we plan to use. Will we be using a rod to haul in large catfish, or finesse a walleye with a delicate presentation?

It probably does not make sense for someone who fishes only a few times per year to spend a lot of money for a high-end rod. We should buy the best rod we can afford. The rod will give many years of service if treated carefully.

It is important to not exceed the recommended line or lure weight when using a rod. Often that voids a warranty. Altering rod does the same. Slamming a rod in a car door or letting Fido chew on it does nothing for its performance.

Today’s rods are of fiberglass or graphite. The term modulus is probably the most misunderstood feature of rod blank materials. It refers to the stiffness of the fibers and resins in the rod, and how quickly the graphite or fiberglass recovers after flexing.

Modulus alone is not a good way to choose a rod. It does not control rod action and power. The quality of the resin, the wall thickness of the blank, and the taper design affect a rod’s action. This combination of design features provides a unique action and feel that makes rods different.

The action of a rod is determined by where it flexes along the length of the blank. Faster action rods flex mostly near the tip. Moderate rods flex more near the middle and slower action rods flex down into the butt section. Printing on the rod marks the action in terms such as extra fast, fast, moderate fast, moderate, and slow.

Power in a rod refers to the amount of pressure required to flex the rod. It is in terms such as ultra-light, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, heavy, and extra heavy. The importance of power is in determining the range of lure weight and line size to use. Simply limit your choice to a rod designed for casting the weight lure or line size that you use fishing.

Handles of rods come in a multitude of sizes, materials, and configurations. Perhaps the most popular are of cork. But, a black foam-like material, called EVA, is available on rods in all price ranges. The material choice in configuration and materials for handles is a personal preference. It is a matter of what feels good.

Rod choice is not easy. But if you do a little advance study and take time in consideration of the matter, a very serviceable rod is available at a price you can afford.

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