This is an broad overview on fishing rods and reels.

If you wish to jump to a deeper level on the subject you can scroll to the bottom of this page and read through the "quick Links".

However, I thought necessary to start from the beginning and I hope that you will find this part useful as well.

The question which comes in mind to a beginner fisherman is...

...and so here are some points to consider: ask yourself

How often do you go fishing?
If you are a beginner start with low budget fishing gears then you will have a feeling of what you need and want, which technique you prefer and how much time you plan to invest. Upgrade to mid-range price equipment. Later on, if you can afford it, buy top equipment as a life investment. Like in the Arts, you cannot fully understand a masterpiece if you haven't seen a bad painting...

Fresh water or salt water?
This is up to you. 80% of anglers fish in fresh water.

What kind (size) of fish?
Trout, Sea Trout, Salmon, Marlin?

Which rod type?
Casting/spinning or Flyfishing? By Casting you might keep the bait still, by spinning you keep moving and retrieving the bait with the reel, by flyfishing you continously move your arms and body.

Which material and price?
Fiberglass(cheap), graphite (expensive), boron (very expensive), composite (fiberglass and graphite, less expensive than graphite). Bamboo, too! Bamboo rods are witnessing a Renaissance in fly fishing.

Which rod action (flexing)?

It's totally a personal choice:
- Slow action (deflects at least in upper 2/3 of the rod, often for salt water fishing)
- Medium action (deflects in upper 1/2 of the rod, more frequently used)
- Fast action (deflects in upper 1/3 of the rod,e.g. by light line and bait)
- Extra fast action (deflects in upper 1/4 of the rod, light line and bait)

(see picture below, source unknown)

Ok, I know, as I said this is a very superficial way of describing a rod action and type. But you can click here to open up a whole new chapter about fly fishing rods and reels...

which rod guides?
Stainless steel (cheap, but more wearing of the line), nickel silver (more expensive), agata (expensive but smooth on line) , ceramic, alloys, Titanium-framed SiC (silicon carbide) guides, etc. The purpose of guides is twofold: less possible friction with the line and transmitting the vibrations to the rod (e.g. single foot guides tramsmit better than double-feet guides).

Which rod handle and reel seat?
Plastic (heavy but cheap),cork (more expensive but light), exotic woods, ergonomics, hand-engravings,....imagination has no end.

Which line?
It depends on fish size and fishing technique.

Which reel?
Spinning, Casting, Flyfishing; Saltwater and freswater; old (collecting possible, too) or new reel (might be expensive for top of the range items)

In any case, both fishing rods and fishing reels are a vast field for Research and Development as you might gather by any catalogue of a good many fishing gears companies.

Now, perhaps you are a little more more ready to start fishing. If you need to learn a few knots, click here!

Ok, would you like now any advise on the best fishing rods? Have a look in my store?

Tip!

Reel Gear Ratio

When you see on fishing reels numbers like 5:1, 5.5:1, 6:1 that means how many times the spool of the reel turns with 1 turn of the handle. This is called Reel Gear Ratio.

6:1 means that by turning the handle ONCE completely (360 degree, or say ONE whole clock revolution) you have the line turned 6 times around the spool.

To calculate how much line this equal in length you must use this formula:

Average spool diameter x 3.14 x ratio = lenghth of line per 1 turning of the reel handle

e.g.: 30mm x 3.14 x 5.5 = 518.1 mm

So you rewind about 52 cm of line each time your turn the handle of that 5.5:1 reel.

Tip!

Incidentally, I found an excellent way to help you decide which fishing rods and reels and line length you need for your fishing need at the German DAM website: DAM website help

QUICK LINKS

Wanna start understanding fishing rod terminology and especially fly-fishing rod types? You can jump to this more interesting part that I wrote with the help of a professional fly-fishing instructor.

Looking for a quick overview of types of fishing reels you can click here.

Considering looking into an old bamboo rod to understand some parts of a rod. Of course, a modern graphite rod does not have 6 pieces (strips of bamboo) glued together, but, still, wrapping, snakes and guides, tippets are the same...

....or want to know MUCH more about fishing rod blanks?

...and what about the best fishing rods?.

...have a look in my store?