Guide Note

Fishing Rods are tools that are used for the commercial, sport and leisure time activities of catching fish.

Fast Facts

1. Dates back to Ancient Egypt
2. Range in size from 24 inches to 20 feet
3. Rod specifications include Power, Action, Line Weight, and Lure Weight

A length of fishing line is attached to rod or pole. At the end of the fishing line is a hook, used to catch the fish. The rod or pole can be a variety of lengths, from 24 inches and 20 feet.

1. Carbon fiber pole: Used for coarse fishing in Europe. They range in size from about three meters to 18.5 meters, with the ability to catch carp in the UK up to 200 pounds in a five hour match.
2. Fly Rods: They are thin, flexible rods, used to cast artificial fly or bait, such as fur, feathers, foam, or other lightweight material. Rod sizes are dependent on the type of fish being sought, ranging from size #0 rods for small freshwater trout and pan fish up to size #16 rods for large saltwater game fish. They are almost always made of carbon graphite.
3. Sea rods: Used to catch large fish in the sea. They are about 4 meters long, thick and feature huge, heavy tips, eyes, and handles.
4. Spin casting rods: Used to hold a spin-casting reel. They are similar to bait-casting rods.
5. Spinning rods: Used for trolling and still fishing with live bait. They are made of graphite or fiberglass. They range in size from five to eight and a half feet in length.
6. Ultra-light rods: Used for smaller species of fish. They can be a spinning, spin-cast or tackle styles of fishing rods.
7. Ice Fishing rods: Normally, they are very short, spinning rods. They can be between 24 and 36 inches in length. They are used to fish for holes in the ice that cover frozen lakes, rivers and ponds.
8. Surf rods: Similar to over-sized spinning or bait casting rods. They range in length between 10 and 14 feet.
9. Telescopic Rods: Designed to collapse down to a small as a foot and a half, but when extended can reach up to 30 feet. They are easy to transport.