Fishing, Hunting and Camping
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How to Choose a Spinning Rod
A spinning rod is a type of fishing rod that has a spinning spool and a release mechanism for casting. Spinning rods are what most people think of when they hear the word “fishing rod”—a flexible rod with a spool near the handle which you cast using an overhead motion.
Spinning rods are often the choice of beginner fishers as they are easy to get the hang of right off the bat, unlike the more advanced casting rod. Of course, not all spinning rods are made equal. Before buying a spinning rod, make sure you take into account the following features.
A quick note: you can easily rule out a spinning rod if it does not document the power, action, length, and recommended lure weight on the lower section near the reel.
Power
The “power” of a spinning rod is basically a measure of how strong the rod is. Power ratings range from heavy which is for heavier lures and catching heavier fish to ultra-light rods meant for small lures and thinner lines. Heavier rods tend to be better for fishing near bodies of weeds or lily pads while lighter rods are better for open water.
You need to check the power of the rod because that determines which kinds of lines and lures you can use. For example, if you use a heavy lure with an ultralight rod, there is a greater risk of snapping the tip of the rod. By the same token, using a light weight on a strong rod can cause the rod to snap because it is less flexible.
Action
The action of a rod is a measure of how much the rod tip bends when placed under a load. Fast action rods have a lot of flexibility near the tip while slow action rods are more flexible near the base. Fast action rods are more sensitive to activity because as the bending tip registers movements better so they are good for setting hooks. Slow action rods have a lot of flex and are good for ultralight fishing. Because slow and medium action rods bend more than fast action rods, they can cast further because they store energy more efficiently during the cast.
Length
The length of a rod determines how far it can cast. Longer rods can generally cast further while short rods have less of a casting distance. Long rods are good when you need a cast far away from your position while short rods are good when you need more accuracy and maneuverability.
Material
The material a spinning rod is made out of also determines its strength and performance. Spinning rods are made out of all kinds of materials, including fiberglass, composite materials, or graphite. Some newer rods are made out of extremely strong and flexible carbon fiber, but these tend to be more expensive.
Fiberglass rods tend to have the most raw strength but are the heaviest and least flexible. On the other hand, graphite spinning rods are very flexible but can easily break if bent too far. Spinning rods made out of composite materials attempt to find a sweet spot between fiberglass and graphite. For beginner fishers, the best bet is to start with a more sensitive rod such as graphite or composite materials.
Conclusions
Not all spinning rods are made equal. So before you buy, make sure you take a good and hard look at the various options and pick the one that best suits your fishing style and needs. Novice fishers may prefer a lighter graphite rod with fast action while more experienced fishers may want something heavier with slower action. As always, the choice depends on your personal preferences. For more information about spinning rods visit https://fishinggearforbass.com/best-spinning-rod-for-bass/.
Fishing Weekend Using the Single Hookbait Approach
With the weekend starting to close in, it was time to put my work boots away. It was time to think about heading out to the local lake for a round of fishing. While I was deciding whether or not to do it, I received a call from my buddy across the pond, in France. He mentioned the beautiful fish that were caught over the past week and how it was time to join in on the fun. Without hesitation, I was ready to go and knew it was best to head out as soon as possible.
My Mini Getaway
I rushed home after a gruelling Friday at work and made sure to prep as best as I could. This meant taking out my wonderful Nash Dwarf kit while also making sure the equipment was ready to go (i.e. my Nash Scope Bivvy). The planning stage went by without worry and quite quickly, I was ready to head out on a 2-hour trip on the Eurostar for a mini carp fishing holiday in France with accommodation, which had me all giddy inside!
Setting Up
As soon as I arrived there, I knew it was a great decision as I spoke to the local anglers and their opinions on the fish. They were making the same claims as my friend stating there were plenty of fish. However, I noticed not a lot of them were heading to the bottom of the lake and only seemed to be focussed on the top end. This is when I started moving around as other anglers set up their overnight positions. I wanted to make sure my point of view was unobstructed and I was able to prepare for a good round of fishing. This is when I positioned myself closer to the centre of the lake as it provided a great view. I learned a lot from the local anglers. While talking to them, I also made sure to focus on what was in front of me even though the lake was quiet. I knew it was a risk to set up where I did but it also came with a big reward if it paid off. It was sometime around this point in the day when I noticed a fish jump out. It was closer to the other end of the lake. This is when I made sure to prep because it was time to dig in.
The Wait
As soon as I got to the place where I had seen the fish jump out, there was a massive amount of water in the area. I knew this was all mine because no one was anywhere near me. They were all focussed on other areas. I was trying to stay as calm as possible while making sure my approach was a success. This is when I knew it was time to use bait as a way to draw the fish in. I ended up using the Nash Ctiruz pop-up because it was going to work better than the other options. I also went with the Cray pop-up at the same time for my right-hand rod. As I set these up, I was ready to settle in and wait until something locked in. It wasn’t smooth sailing as most of the night went without action. The few bites that were made didn’t work out at all and petered out quickly. I still felt confident about what was happening and felt it was only a matter of time. This is when I put up the new bivvy and sat back.
The Result!
It wasn’t until the next morning when I started to see a change in how things were going. There were a few questions about whether or not the fish were there but I had to keep going. I didn’t have to think long because the left-hand rod locked in. It was time to take action because there was a considerable amount of pressure on the other end. I had to negotiate through the weed beds while making sure there was enough pressure to keep the fish in place. While it wasn’t the biggest fish in the world, it was still a great catch because I was looking at a zip linear. It was one of those situations where the weekend trip did end up working out as intended. I had a lot of fun and the catch was good!