We're all familiar with the adage, "you get what you pay for," but we also know there are products out there that are overpriced...including fishing tackle. Like any other commodity, there are "bargains" not even worth the time it takes to carry them to your car. On the other hand, there also are some products that cost so much the fish literally should jump into your boat. Rods and reels are two of the most expensive components of fishing tackle and, therefore, are among the most scrutinized purchases we make.
Selecting a good rod can be a bewildering experience for someone who wants the most for his/her money. We ask questions like, "What makes this rod so expensive? Is this $300 rod really twice as good as this $150 rod?" With the unbelievable array of good rods available to serious anglers today, it's easy to find a great rod that is perfect for what you want to do with it. However, at the same time, you could end up with something that might not be right, and you'd be spending some good money for something that you won't use.
The most expensive rod you own is the one you never use. Even if it was cheap, it was a waste of your money if it stays at home leaning in a corner. Conversely, you may have a rod that cost a lot of money, but if you use it every time you go fishing, and you love it, then it was money well spent.
Most rods sold to bass anglers these days are casting rods, with spinning rods being reserved for specialized techniques and light lures. Today, someone just starting out often will pick a 6-foot 6-inch or 7-foot medium or medium-heavy casting rod, which will work well for most techniques and lure types. Very often, though, the choice comes down to how much you may want to spend on a rod.
The return on money you spend on your rods will vary with how often you fish, how serious you are, if you fish tournaments, and other factors. In general, the more your rod costs, the more sensitive it will be, and the more accuracy you will be able to achieve (unless you're a "hack" like yours truly). A quote from Gary Loomis, who arguably builds some of the best rods today, puts some light on this subject. "I can build a rod you can't break, but you wouldn't want to fish with it," he said. There are rods out there that builders claim won't break, but you won't see any of them on the decks of serious bass anglers, or in the hands of any tour pros, because they demand rods that are light, sensitive and powerful. Sure, these rods cost more, but they are worth every penny.
Unfortunately, a good rod won't instantly make you a better angler, but a poor rod will be a limiting factor for any angler. Your rod is a tool, and a good craftsman always will do better work with a good tool. A good rod will allow you to feel much more of what's going on with your lure. It will tell you if you're dragging it through mud, sand, rock, sticks, etc., and more importantly, it will let you know when you get bit.
Part of being a good angler is being able to place your lure exactly where you want it...as quietly as possible...and a good rod definitely will aid your casting ability. The ability to create actions for specific techniques only comes with rod-building expertise and the ability to use the best materials, which adds considerably to the expense. As a general rule, a good rod will help you, and a poor rod will hurt your fishing ability.
No comments:
Post a Comment