I have been told for a long time that I need to use this brand of rod, reel, lure, color, boat and anything else that can be used for fishing. For most people they may not be able to tell the difference between a good rod and a bad rod. To me there is non such thing as a bad piece of fishing equipment if it gets people on the water. However, there is a difference in quality and technique preference. I am going to explain how to pick the right rod for your situation based on several factors.

First, you need to know who is using the rod. Are you someone or are you buying for someone that fishes a lot, occasionally, or 1 to 2 times per year? Is the rod for a beginner or a novice? If the fisherman is a child or not would play a major role in what kind of rod I purchased. Like I previously stated, I believe the most important thing is to be able to go fishing and if that means going and buying a $30 rod/reel combo then that is what should be done. My recommendations for children is to look at the line of Shakespeare kids fishing combos. They are great for beginners and are easy on the budget. Your budget should always drive the quality of rod should purchase or how many you purchase.

Next, I examine the target species we are looking to catch. You don’t need to have a ocean surf fishing rod to catch panfish. Length, weight, reel type, type of eyes and action are just a few options that you have to considered. There are many options out there that can determine how you will view the quality of your rod. Often times people buy a rod with expectations, but never use the rod for the intended use or target a species that it will not be able to handle.

Once you determine who you are buying the rod and what species that will be targeted, you will need to figure out the type of lures that are going to be used. There are many rods that are good for more than one application. However, I have rods that I will only use for one technique. Which sounds crazy to someone outside the competitive fishing world, but most competitive anglers only use 1 rod for 1 technique for a few reasons. First, the rod is typically built with a certain technique in mind. Second, the settings in the reel don’t need to be changed. Third a comfort level with technique and rod can be developed.

Now for my suggestions about which rods to buy. I already gave my suggestion for children. My suggestion to everyone is to look at the line of Abu Garcia fishing rods. The Vengeance model is only $50 and the line spans to the Villian model which is $180. There are several levels in between. My favorite model of Abu Garcia fishing rods is the Veracity. Fenwick fishing rods are probably my favorite brand that I have ever used. They combine the feel, durability, and cost efficiency that I look for. If I were to only have one spinning rod in my boat it would be a 6′-9″ Fenwick Smallmouth Series. It is good for every bass technique I have tried to use it for and doesn’t cost as much as more expensive rod with the same sensitivity.

Hopefully, this article will help you make a better informed decision on which rod to buy. If there are any questions make a comment and I will try to answer whatever question you have.