Fishing Rod Guide – Selecting A Beginner’s Fishing Rod and Reel

If you are selecting your first fishing rod, here are some starting point guidelines to help you make a better choice for your needs.

Since there are so many different fishing rods available on the market, a beginner can easily become overwhelmed, especially when considering all the possible rod and reel combinations.  When just starting out, a beginner will do best to select a combo package.

Fishing rod and reel combo packages are assembled by the manufacturer.  This can take a lot of stress off the initial decision, as you do not have to worry about matching the rod with the reel and the subtitles involved with each component.  The first rod and reel pair you select may not carry you through your entire career as an angler, but again, this is just about getting started and getting your hook in the water so you can grow your skills.

There are two major types of fishing rods:  spinning and bait casting.  Each are paired with the applicable spinning and bait casting reel.

A bait casting combo is the stronger and more durable of the two.  The primary downside is the risk of nesting during the cast.  This can be a real hindrance for any beginner still learning how to cast properly.  Nesting can occur when there is insufficient resistance on the line.  When the line is cast, the reel may over-spin and the loosened line then becomes tangled.  This can turn a potentially enjoyable fishing lesson into a lot of tedious untangling.

This is why many beginners will benefit from a spinning combo.  Spinning combos are easier to cast and operate, however spinning combos do not offer the same level of durability you’ll receive with a bait casting combo.  All things considered, durability may not be the primary concern of someone learning the basics, so this may be a preferable tradeoff.

Another aspect to keep in mind is: action.  Action refers to the degree of spring back at the end of the pole, or how much it “whips”.  Fast action means the pole is easily flexed and bent, while slow action means a firmer, sturdier pole.  For a beginner, it’s best to start in the middle with a medium action.  This provides plenty of room for growth and transition into either end of the spectrum.

Once you have selected a good rod and reel combo with an even level starting action, you will be able to experiment with a number of different equipment combinations and determine the optimal arrangement for you.