Mick Brown
Angling Services
Angling Services
Posted on November 5th 2011
CHOOSING A LURE ROD
With lure fishing for pike, perch and zander being
really popular at the moment while the weather is
still mild and the fish are very active, I'm being asked
quite a lot for help with choosing a lure rod. Lets
face it, it can be very confusing when looking
through a catalogue or racks in a tackle shop when
confronted with dozens of different ones. I can't be
there to help everyone but I have compiled a simple
guide to help you through the maze of rods available.
really popular at the moment while the weather is
still mild and the fish are very active, I'm being asked
quite a lot for help with choosing a lure rod. Lets
face it, it can be very confusing when looking
through a catalogue or racks in a tackle shop when
confronted with dozens of different ones. I can't be
there to help everyone but I have compiled a simple
guide to help you through the maze of rods available.
To read entries from previous weeks - click on articles link above.
1 Fixed spool or multiplier?
Multipliers are useful for specialist lures like jerk
baits and those which offer high resistance on the
retrieve. Other than that, its a matter of personal
preference. If you are a beginner, consider using a
fixed spool until you are more confident of your
ability as multipliers can be a lot more difficult to use
at first. The rest of my guide considers rods for fixed
spool reels
Multipliers are useful for specialist lures like jerk
baits and those which offer high resistance on the
retrieve. Other than that, its a matter of personal
preference. If you are a beginner, consider using a
fixed spool until you are more confident of your
ability as multipliers can be a lot more difficult to use
at first. The rest of my guide considers rods for fixed
spool reels
Archive of old and
deleted web pages
of interest.None of
this is valid today
but might interest
anyone following
my work.
deleted web pages
of interest.None of
this is valid today
but might interest
anyone following
my work.
2 Casting weight.
Decide exactly what you want to use the rod for.
This will depend upon what species you are fishing
for and the weight of the lures you plan to use. They
broadly fall into three categories:
Lightweight - for smaller pike, perch, zander and
chub. Usually rated to cast lures up to 30 grams.
Standard - for most general purpose pike fishing.
Usually rated to cast lures from 20 to 60 grams.
Heavyweight - for casting heavier lures or more
demanding situations where there are snags. Usually
rated to cast lures from 40 to 80 grams.
As you will see, there is an overlap and there may be
variations in the rating. For example a standard rod
might be rated as 20-50, 20-60 or 15-50 as there is no
industry standard. Look for a rod in the category you
require. Remember that most lures, or their
packaging, are marked with their weight if you are
not sure.
Decide exactly what you want to use the rod for.
This will depend upon what species you are fishing
for and the weight of the lures you plan to use. They
broadly fall into three categories:
Lightweight - for smaller pike, perch, zander and
chub. Usually rated to cast lures up to 30 grams.
Standard - for most general purpose pike fishing.
Usually rated to cast lures from 20 to 60 grams.
Heavyweight - for casting heavier lures or more
demanding situations where there are snags. Usually
rated to cast lures from 40 to 80 grams.
As you will see, there is an overlap and there may be
variations in the rating. For example a standard rod
might be rated as 20-50, 20-60 or 15-50 as there is no
industry standard. Look for a rod in the category you
require. Remember that most lures, or their
packaging, are marked with their weight if you are
not sure.
3 Price point
You will frequently find several rods which fall into
your choice of casting weight. The next step is to
consider their price tag. You will have to decide
whether you want an entry level/budget priced rod,
a top of the range model or something in between.
Most entry level rods from reputable companies like
Shimano are excellent value whilst their top of the
range models have advanced features.
You will frequently find several rods which fall into
your choice of casting weight. The next step is to
consider their price tag. You will have to decide
whether you want an entry level/budget priced rod,
a top of the range model or something in between.
Most entry level rods from reputable companies like
Shimano are excellent value whilst their top of the
range models have advanced features.
4 Choose a length
When you have completed steps 1, 2 and 3, you will
have chosen a rod with the desired casting weight
and at the price you want to pay. There may be one
more choice to make as many models are offered in
different lengths. Longer rods have the advantage of
fishing around dense waterside vegetation whilst
many boat anglers prefer shorter rods. The choice is
yours.
When you have completed steps 1, 2 and 3, you will
have chosen a rod with the desired casting weight
and at the price you want to pay. There may be one
more choice to make as many models are offered in
different lengths. Longer rods have the advantage of
fishing around dense waterside vegetation whilst
many boat anglers prefer shorter rods. The choice is
yours.
Summary - 3 decisions to make to quickly arrive at
the ideal rod for your personal requirements:
1 Casting weight
2 Price
3 Length
Follow these logical steps and you can't go wrong!
the ideal rod for your personal requirements:
1 Casting weight
2 Price
3 Length
Follow these logical steps and you can't go wrong!
30 lb 3 oz pike landed
with a 20-60 gram rod.
with a 20-60 gram rod.
Pike caught on a Storm Kickin'
Stick which weighs 40 grams.
Stick which weighs 40 grams.