Tackle Trade World - March 2024

SPOTLIGHT ON...
RODS
Something for everyone
Depending on the method or style of
fishing, there are rods from around 2ft
for ice fishing up to 12ft or 13ft for carp
fishing, 14ft for European match fishing
and even telescopic Bolognese rods up to
23ft (7m) and that’s before we talk about
fishing poles – which can go to more than
16m in some cases.
In general, though, you will likely
come across a few main types – notably
spinning rods of many lengths for bait
and lure fishing, baitcasting rods for
heavier lures, fly fishing rods, which are
typically more flexible with their action
helping impart power to the cast and ice
fishing rods which, as mentioned, are
generally much shorter.
Longer rods will typically allow longer
accurate casts and are designed for larger
bodies of water while shorter rods offer
better control in tight spaces or where you
need to impart some movement to your
lure.
Action stations
Another key part of any rod’s make-up is
its action. This determines the power or
sensitivity of a rod and sometimes aids in
casting and playing fish.
There are typically three main actions to
look out for – fast, medium and slow.
A fast action rod will bend mostly at
the tip, offering sensitivity and quick
hook-setting ability. These rods are a good
starting point for beginners as they can
deal with a reasonable range of tasks and
requirements.
Medium action rods are a decent allrounder,
with a good bend in the middle
section, offering a balance between
power and flexibility. But these are often
favoured by anglers targeting larger fish or
to cast further.
A rod with a slower action tends to bend
through the entire rod length. This makes it
more flexible and these are more suited to
small fish and smaller lures with light lines.
You’ll also come across power ratings
on many rods and these are fairly selfexplanatory.
Lighter power rods are perfect for light
tackle, small lures and small fish, medium
power will handle most situations for your
general fishing while heavy power rods are
designed for use on big carp, bass, pike
or catfish. Rods for beachcasting and surf
fishing go one step further than this to cope
with the extremes demanded of them.
Material decisions
From cane and reed – beloved of purists –
through to fibreglass and carbon fibre, rods
have been made in many materials over the
years, with other, sustainable, renewable
and recyclable materials also now in
evidence.
Fibreglass has been around for a long
time and many anglers still favour these
rods for their strength and durability. Not
to mention their keen price.
Since the 1970s, though, graphite or
carbon fibre rods have been a lighter and
more popular alternative, blending various
degrees of stiffness or modulus to light
weight and sensitivity, for better casting,
handling, bite detection and fish playing.
When it comes to fixtures and fittings
such as guides, their quality, quantity,
weight and positioning can be almost as
important as the blank. Rod manufacturers
often use guides from the top brand names
as key selling points. While the top rods
will have the best guides, models lower
down the range will still be furnished with
those that are more than up to the job.
Handle materials vary widely, from high
grade cork on fly rods to part-EVA grips
on coarse fishing rods, abbreviated Japanese
shrink handles on carp rods and golf-club
style wraps on spin and baitcasting rods.
Of course, budget comes into play in
many instances just as much as the actual
fishing requirements.
It’s certainly worth stocking one or
two expensive flagship models for the
discerning angler and for those whose
aspirations are high, but, in reality, most
sales will come from the middle ground
products that offer a balance of quality and
price, while you should never overlook the
lower end of the market for beginners.
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