Learning the fundamentals of fishing is non-negotiable, that is if you want to be good at fishing! By reading this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of a fishing rod’s components.
Parts Of A Fishing Rod
This section of the article will cover everything from the very tip of the rod down to the very bottom:
Butt Cap
This is the bottom part of the handle. This is the end you press into your stomach when you are fighting a good fish. It is made of rubber, or sometimes cork.
Handle
It is also referred to as grip. This is the part where you hold the fishing rod. It can be made of foam or cork.
Reel Seat
This is where your reel gets attached to the rod. Some fishing rods will have rings that go over the reel foot. In addition, they entail a hood mechanism that screws either up or down on the foot of the reel to keep it in place.
Hook Keeper
Also called a keeper ring, this small ring gives you a place to hold your hook. It acts as a safety measure so that you don’t hurt yourself.
Blank
Made from different materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, bamboo, or a combination, the blank or rod is a long piece of material that determines the rod’s sensitivity, strength, and responsiveness.
Butt
Butt is the thickest part of your fishing rod closest to the handle. It is made from materials like EVA, cork, rubber and aluminum.
Ferrule
For rods that breaks down into 2 pieces or more, the ferrule is the joint where sections of the fishing rod fit together. They are referred to as male and female ferrule.
- Male: Pieces with a special durable extension that attach to the female part.
- Female: Pieces with a recessed cavity that accommodate the extended male piece.
Butt Guide
This is the guide closest to the handle end of your fishing pole. It is called butt guide because of its location; it is located on the butt of the guide.
Guides
These are rings present on the fishing rod. The number, spacing, and size of the guides depend on the kind of fishing rod you are using.
A higher quality rod will have at least one guide for every foot of its length. i,e, a 6 foot rod should have at least 6 guides. The more guides, the better.
Wrapping
Also known as windings, wrapping is a string that covers the foot of the guide. Due to wrapping, the guides are kept attached to the rod. It is painted with glossy enamel to ensure protection.
Tip
This is the uppermost part of the rod, the thinnest and most flexible, nearest to the rod tip.
Types Of Fishing Rods
There are several varieties of fishing rods, each with their unique advantages. Read on and learn about them:
Spinning Rod
A spinning rod has a straight handle with no finger hook. Its eyelet guides run along the rod’s bottom and its reel hangs below the handle grip.
Fly Fishing Rods
These rods are long, thin, and ultra-light. Fly rods have large diameters guides spaced along the rod to aid in movement. They can be used for casting from fixed positions and trolling.
Casting Rods
The guides and reels sit on the top of the rod. It has a tipped-down handle with a finger hook at the bottom. These rods add to your comfort, especially when you tackle and retrieve a big fish.
The end of the rod has a guide called tip top that creates awareness for the angler. In other words, it initiates the fishing tackle game.
Surf Rods
Surf rods are one of the longest parts in the fishing gear. These fishing rods, typically measure 9 to 13 ft in length. This equipment is heavy and durable; it is built to withstand larger fish in saltwater fishing.
A variety of baits can be used with surf rods, such as finger mullet, shrimp, and squid. These rods are preferred by anglers for their power and tip top accuracy.
Other Types
Besides the above-mentioned rods, you can also opt for fly rods, metal rods (ferrules), telescopic rods, and ultralight rods, each with its special parts and attributes.
Understanding Rod Action & Rod Power
The power or action of a rod refers to its flexibility, how much tension it can bear while securing a large fish. There are three main types:
- Faster Action: Fishing rods are generally stiff, with most of the bend happening at the tip.
- Medium/Moderate Action: Rods bend a little deeper, so it has flexibility at the tip and in the middle.
- Slow Action: This kind of rod bends well from butt end, ensuring a bigger catch at long distances.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A complete explanation of different parts of a fishing rod! Hopefully you found this article helpful and informative. Next time, you hold a fishing rod in your hands, you’ll know exactly how to use it.
