There are many ways to catch fish. A fisherman can surely catch fish with his hands. He can catch fish with a spear. He could even cast a net over a school of fish, however awkward it may be at first. All of these methods can be effective with practice but they offer the same disadvantage to the fisherman: the catch is restricted to only shallow water varieties of fish.
On the other hand, many believe that it is the fishing rod that is the fisherman's most basic, most important weapon. With a fishing rod, your chances of getting a good catch are very much improved.
When it comes to game fishing, that is, fishing for large, offshore fish, a fishing rod is a necessity. You just can’t do without it.
If you're new at fishing, a fishing rod will be your main investment. It is the one, essential tool that makes most fishing possible and enjoyable. Oftentimes, just manipulating a fishing rod can become addictive for many people.
Here are some guidelines that will help you select the right fishing rod for your needs.
▪ Shape. A fishing rod should taper off from its base to its tip. You won't have problems with finding a fishing rod that satisfies this shape. It’s quite widespread, practically universal. Advanced designs are introduced to the market every now and then, but the classic and traditional is still the best and finest choice.
▪ Weight. A fishing rod is described by weight. This weight doesn't refer to the actual heaviness of the rod. Rather, this refers to how resilient the rod will be for specific types of lures and for specific types of fish. Therefore, classifications like Ultra-Light, Light, Medium-Light, Medium, Medium-Heavy, Heavy, and Ultra-Heavy are used when describing fishing rods or fishing poles to help the fisherman in choosing the correct one for his objectives.
Fly fishing, for instance, can be managed with Ultra-Light to Medium weight rods. Bass fishing, on the other hand, would require Medium-Light to Heavy weight rods.
▪ Action. A fishing rod is also described by action. Action refers to how much the fishing rod can bend when pulled by a particular force, and how fast it will revert to its neutral position when the force is removed. Action is categorized as slow, medium or fast, although middle-points between levels can be found.
▪ One-piece or Two-piece. Some fishing rods are labeled as one-piece, because they come in, well, one piece. They are said to feel very natural for the fisherman, allowing for a more comfortable and relaxing time.
On the other hand, two-piece fishing rods are, of course, more complicated. But with the proper engineering, these rods can achieve their goals effectively well. However, you’ll need to take special care when selecting a two-piece rod. If it’s ineptly manufactured, it could be disastrous even for experienced fishermen.
When the time comes for you to choose a fishing rod, you really need to know about the fish you intend to catch. Some fish take a few minutes to catch, while others can take many long hours. Knowing this will dictate what kind of fishing rod you’ll need. There’ll be no room for guesswork and you’ll have the best fishing rod possible. Good luck!
About the author: Len Q. is a master blade sharpener. If you would like to find out about ª Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them ª Sharpening Other Edges (i.e. Chain Saws, Lawn Mower Blades, Gardening Tools, Axes) Find it at http://www.MakeKnivesSharp.com
Choosing Spinning Fishing Rod & Reel Combos Under $25
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Don't be left out the next time your friends or family goes fishing because you don't have a rod and reel. Purchasing a rod and reel can be an expensive proposition but with one of these spinning rod and reel combos from Daiwa, Master, or Shakespeare you can go fishing without breaking the bank. These rods and reels combos are great for the beginning fisher or the occasional fisher on a budget.
Spinning rods and reels come in a variety of lengths and designs so when choosing which one you plan on purchasing you should consider all the possibilities. The average length of spinning rods is 5-8.5 feet and materials for the rod are typical either graphite or fiberglass. Commonly these type of rods are used to fish bass, trout, pike and walleye in the United States but are widely used across Europe for pike, perch, and eel. No matter the type of fish these rod and reel combinations will work great for all of your freshwater fishing adventures.
Daiwa D-Shock B Spinning Combos
The Daiwa D-Shock B rod and reel combo is available in rod lengths ranging from 5'-6'6" so you can pick up one in the length you need. Made from a fiberglass rod blank and featuring aluminum oxide guides, cork handle, and hook keeper gives you all the basic features you need in a standard fishing rod. All of the rods in the D-Shock B line are 2 pieces so you can break them down to easily fit inside your car without damaging guides. The reel comes in a silver finish, has a graphite body, and a Twist Buster Line Roller giving you a smooth reel-in action.
This rod and reel combo is great for the young fisher in your family. Featuring a built-in LED that lights up as you reel in, this rod will make you stand out at your local fishing spot. Available in lengths from 4' to 6'6" and colors such as pink, orange, and silver so you can get the right rod and reel to match your young angler's personality. These rods are also great for night fishing so you can see what the line is doing even in the darkest conditions.
Shakespeare Ugly Stik 6' Spin Combo
The Ugly Stik spin combo is a great medium action rod for a wide variety of anglers. Featuring a 2 piece rod design and a ball bearing reel that has an E-Z Cast Trigger this rod and reel combo is designed with the fishermen in mind. This rod and reel combination works great on almost all types of freshwater fish and my personally favorite fish to use this rod and reel on are bass!
For more Combo Rod & Reels for your next fishing trip check out our store PoorFish Outdoors providing high quality outdoor sporting goods since 1995.
Best Bass Fishing Poles - Just How Important is Your Pole Selection?
Just How important is your decision when it comes to picking your Best Bass Fishing Pole?
In one word....VERY!
When is comes time to choose your next bass fishing pole, you NEED to make the correct decision. The right pole could very well be the most important piece of the bass fishing puzzle and be the difference between the trophy of your life and just another broken line.
While you can't catch a trophy bass without the right lure and line, without the right rod you do not stand a chance against the wiley bass. You need to match the pole with the you are using and the line you are using along with the conditions that you are in.
When you take a look at all of the rows and rows of rods at your favorite fishing tackle store, it can become very confusing and almost overwhelming to pick out the right one.
Like I stated above, you need to take a few things into account before making your purchase.
1. Make sure to match your next fishing pole with the conditions you will be fishing in. By this I mean you should take into account water depth, structure conditions and even the size of the bass that lurk in the lake, river or reservoir you are fishing in.
2. Match the rod to the lures you will be using. If you are throwing around small and light baits, an oversized pole will not get the job done. The opposite is also true.
3. Line matters! Light line on heavy poles is always asking for trouble. Heavy line on light poles and you will loose casting distance and accuracy. Match the line to the pole.
When ever I venture out to find my the next bass pole to add into my ever growing arsenal, I always take these things into account. By making sure that each piece fits together, you will be much more likely to win your next battle with that trophy bass.
About the author: I have been a Bass Fisherman my whole life and competed in many tournaments over the last 20+ years. Sometimes very successful and other times not so much. But what I have gained through it all is years and years of trial and error knowledge.
I will share as much of that knowledge with my readers as possible! Drop a line and pull up a chair, lets learn how to catch more and bigger Bass and blow your friends and competition out of the water!
Fishing rod storage is something that a lot of people tend to forget when it comes to the sport of fishing. It is a very important part of the sport and we will look at some of the ideas that can help extend the life of your fishing rods.
Washing the fishing rods you own after every use is very important. Use soapy water to do this and then make sure that they are rinsed off well with warm water. Doing this can prevent any corrosion from occurring to the fishing rods. Once they are all washed and rinsed you need to dry them. They need to be completely dry as they will promote the growth of mildew and mold if they are put away with dampness around them.
Going over the rod before putting it away is another thing that should be done. This can help you make any repairs to damaged guides or change the line if necessary before putting the rods away. By having these things done in advance you will know that your fishing rods are in good shape for the next time you want to use them.
A lot of the rods people use now are those that come apart in different sections. Waxing the areas that these rods join can help keep them free to be put together and taken apart easily. Wax is very cheap and can be found in a wide variety of places.
The case that a person uses for storing the fishing rods is another things that needs to be used with care. You do not want to ram the rod into the case as this can wreck the guides. Taking your time can ensure that this will not happen and that your rod will stay in the shape it was when you were getting ready to put it in the case.
People that store their fishing rods in the garage often hang them from hooks they place on the wall. By making sure that you alternate the direction of each rod you are storing you can prevent tangled line issues from happening. This is one of the most frustrating problems that people have that store their fishing rods in a garage.
Use the internet to help you find out other tips regarding fishing rod storage. There are a lot of sites that have very useful information and many of them have message boards and forums that offer tips from people that have been in this type of position. Some of these ideas may prove to be some of the most worthwhile things you have ever done.
The way that a person goes about fishing rod storage can prevent a lot of harmful things from happening to your fishing rods. Many people have some that have been passed through a family line and are very old. It is also the perfect way to keep all of the newer rods that you own in optimal condition. This in itself will enhance the life that they will have.
About the Author:
Thoroughly enjoy the sport of fishing? Struggling with fishing rod storage in your home or garage? We have got the inside info at fantastic storage solutions now at http://www.fishingrodracks9.com/fishing-rod-storage/fishing-rod-storage
Fishing rods are one of the most important accessories without which there's no point in going for fishing. Different types of fishing rods are available for different types of fishing. Check out the main 9 types of fishing rods that are used often:
1.Spinning Rods: These are the most common types of fishing rods that are easily available in the market. They are used for both heavyweight and lightweight fishing and are commonly used for catching walleye, bass and trout. Spinning rods are strong and durable enough to withstand the pressure or stress exerted by the fish on the rod. Designed as an eggbeater reel they are useful for retrieving and casting baits and lures. The usual length of a spin rod is between 1.6m to 2.5m.
2.Jigging Rods: These types of rods are generally seen on commercial boats as they can easily handle large baits and heavy lures. They are made of very strong and solid material as they need to tackle the changing currents of the ocean.
3.Surf Rods: Considered to be the longest among fishing rods, they are heavier than others. Surf rods are useful for catching big fishes. Their length usually vary between 3m to 4.2m.
4.Carbon Fiber Rods: These are hi-tech rods that are mainly used for coarse fishing. A variety of carbon fibers are used to manufacture them. Positioning of the bait in this type of fishing rod helps to catch big fishes.
5.Fly Rods: Fly fishing rods are generally used for catching fresh water fishes like halibut, salmon and trout. They are mostly built of carbon graphite. The three different types of fly fishing rods include:
1.Bamboo Fly Fishing Rod: This common fishing rod is preferred by most of the people who go fishing, as it is quite durable and suitable for most kinds of fishing situations. These type of fishing rods are very flexible and lightweight.
2.Graphite Fly Fishing Rods: These type of fly fishing rods are little stiff yet strong and effective. Many fishermen prefer using this due to their strength and performance. These fishing rods are available in various designs and patterns.
3.Fiberglass Fly Fishing Rod: Most of the fishing rods these days are being made of fiberglass. It is little heavier than the other two, which makes it unpopular among some fishermen.
6.Tenkara Rods: They are a combination of other rods, having all the facilities of carbon rods, fly rods, and telescopic rods. The length of these rods range from 11 to 13 feet. They are also very light, portable and easily available at almost every fishing tackle shop.
7.Game Fishing Rods: Game fishing rods are mainly used in deeper saltwater for game fishing. They are designed in such a way that they can catch large fishes like pelagic fish. They are quite thick and don't bend easily. In place of regular line guides, they have roller guides.
8.Boat Rods: They are considered to be a subclass of spin rods. Boat rods are heavier and shorter than other rods and are mainly used in saltwater fishing.
9.Trout Fishing Rods: The length of a trout fishing rod ranges from 7 to 10 feet. These rods are lighter than bass fishing rods. Most of them are made of granite and sometimes fiberglass.
Other types of fishing rods include crappie fishing rods, bass fishing rods, ice fishing rods, sea fishing rods, and ultra light fishing rods.
About the author: Mikus Debra is a reputed name in fishing industry. Here he shares some relevant details about shopping for fishing accessories like fishing tackle.
There are many of ways to wrap guides on a rod. They all seem get the job done. Some processes require very little in the way of supplies and equipment and others go to extremes.
The old school rod wrappers, for example, held the rod section and guides in their fingers and wrapped the thread with a bobbin similar to those used for fly tying. On the opposite end of the spectrum you can invest in a rod wrapping machine and produce many guide wraps all with fine results.
Between these extremes there exists an approach that I have found satisfies the casual and serious rod wrapper.
In my view, the application of thread onto a rod blank and over a guide foot needs to be controlled both in position and tension. The continual application of tension is an immense aid while completing a wrap. If it becomes necessary to "Back-up" the process it should be easily accomplished without the thread moving out of position on the rod blank and or losing tension. The same holds true should your grasp on the rod blank need to be relaxed and the rod not be able to turn, un-winding the wrap, thus losing tension.
The task at hand was to come up with a wrapping jig for this process that provided control for both of these considerations.
A. - The rod blank was cradled in adjustable yokes and retained with medium sized rubber bands. Other design considerations were incorporated to protect the blank from being scratched or abraded while being held in the yokes.
B. - A movable thread holder and guide was designed to retain two spools of thread with constant, adjustable, tension on both. The holder also is positioned for optimal view of the thread as it is being wrapped into place on the rod blank.
This combination will allow the wrapping to be done accurately while maintaining a consistent thread tension throughout the process without the need to maintain a constant grasp on the rod blank.
The ability to control all of the following factors while wrapping include;
Rod blank rotation method and speed, (Nothing like hand eye co-ordination to meet the need)
Positioning of the thread, (Easily visible with good eye position to align the thread)
Tension of the thread, (Light springs are a wonderful advantage here)
Tension on the rod blank, (Light friction created by pressure applied by rubber bands)
These were paramount to the process.
The benefits of this approach will yield wraps that are even in their placement and in tension which are important factors in a quality wrap.
Check out my website for a complete picture of my take on wrapping guides on rods and pictures of the wrapping jig discussed here.
Angibow
"The Old Rod Wrapping Ninja"
About the author: For further information on rod wrapping see my Rod Wrapping Ninja web site.
For a complete "How To" Guide check out my Rod Wrapping Guide .pdf or spiral bound bench copy.
For further articles on rod wrapping see my Articles page
The following is a comprehensive guide to some of the better known manufacturers of saltwater fishing equipment and brief descriptions of sample products they have available.
From Barefoot Rods comes their Inshore Spinning Rods that are measured in grams instead ounces and are extremely lightweight yet durable. This system is being touted as the hallmark design of the company. As well as their Nearshore Magigraff Boat Rods with Trigger which are prefect against even the toughest of game fish.
The Accurate XNERGY rods are created of six-ply graphite glass material that is extremely light weight Available in three classes, the Boss Series that are available ias either conventional or spinning rods and all feature the float filcrum unique to Accurate.
All the Accurate XNERGY rods feature the unique "Floating Fulcrum Design".
The new Man O War Series from Cape Fear is designed with trolling and casting in mind and is built to withstand any choir the oceans may present. Also from Caper Fear comes the totally new offshore system with the The Bluewater Series.
The trademarked Hextek technology makes your line so sensitive you can feel the very first nibble yet is amazingly strong and can pass the test of even the most challenging catch.
St. Croix offers one of the widest selection of saltwater fishing gear that feature Fuji made components. Some of their better known include the Triumph Spinning Rod, the Tidemaster Inshore casting rods, Legend Elite Spinning and Casting Rods as well as many new designs like the handcrafted inshore rod designed for easy travel from premium graphite and the new Legend Tournament Musky rods.
Penn offers a diverse selection with everything from their Penn Tuna Stick Rods to their International V RS/RF Standup Rods, right down to travel rods and big game rods as well as a fine selection of trolling rods in the Senator model. The newly resigned classic Penn Slammer Rod is better looking and more durable than before.
Following is list of additional manufacturers and distributors that have a long history in the industry as suppliers saltwater fishing equipment:
All Star Graphite Rods
American Rodsmiths
Assassin Co.
Biscayne Rod Manufacturing
Calstar Fishing Rods and Blanks
Crowder Rods
Damon Rods
Lamiglas
Redbone
Roberts Rods
Top Four
1. Shimano Teramar Southeast Casting Rod
2. Offshore Angler - Inshore Extreme Casting Rod
3. All Star "Big Boy" Rod
4. St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore Casting Rods
The proper rod and reel accompanied with the correct lures and tackle will assure success on your next fishing expedition. Remember safety is the best policy and always be prepared whether on shore or at sea with properly maintained gear and the best equipment for you choice of fishing style.
About the author: Martin helps people learn about saltwater fishing. You can read more of his work like Saltwater Fishing Reels by visiting the Saltwater Reel website.
Fishing rod ends are engineered specifically to take major abuse from big fish, but not from improper storage or accidental damage. Because many fishing rod ends are rather expensive, it makes sense to protect your investment. There's no need for fancy, expensive cases, though. You can make your own sturdy case for just a few dollars.
Instructions:
Step 1. Measure the length of your fishing rod ends before shopping for supplies so you buy appropriately sized PVC tube.
Step 2. Buy a piece of PVC pipe that is about 6 inches longer than the total length of your rod ends. You can find PVC pipe at local hardware stores, electrical supply stores or plumbing supply stores. Also purchase a PVC end cap, screw cap and cement designed to work with the particular pipe you purchased.
Step 3. Apply a layer of PVC cement to the inside of the end cap. Slide the PVC tube into the end cap and allow the cement to dry completely.
Step 4. Slide your fishing rod ends down into the pipe. Screw the PVC screw cap onto the open end. Your rod ends will now be protected in a durable, watertight tube that will float if it ever ends up in the water.
Determine the placement of the end brackets for your traverse rod ends. Lay out the drapery so you can measure the width and length with a tape measure.
Insert the ends of the rod ends into the end brackets. Push each end into the bracket until it snaps in place. If you are using support brackets, place the rod ends behind each support hook, and turn the lock underneath to lock the rod ends in position.
Pull the loop for the traverse rod ends cord through the opening at the bottom of the cord tension pulley. Adjust the tension of the cord by pulling the knotted end of the cord through the pulley. Tie a new knot to create the amount of tension needed to keep the cord taught. Cut off any excess cord with scissors.
A traverse rod is a drapery rod that uses cords to move a carrier back and forth so you can open or close your draperies. The traverse rod ends have either a one-way draw where the curtain is drawn to one side or a two-way draw where the drapery opens in two parts from the middle to either side of the window. For your draperies to hang and open smoothly it is essential to install the traverse rod ends properly and securely.
About the Author:
We manufacture clevis, ball jiont, rod ends, Nb-gj.com has a large number of strong technical staff, to provide customers with quality products.
Spinning fishing rods are most often used in freshwater locations, although you can buy heavier rods for saltwater or boat use. Spin rods are designed to suit an eggbeater style reel and are used for casting and retrieving lures and baits. Many general purpose rods are called spin rods. It is likely that if you want to do a little river fishing, some pier fishing, or maybe light boat fishing that a spin fishing rod may be your best choice. Spin rods generally have lengths of 1.6m to 2.4m.
Surf Rods
Surf rods tend to be the longest fishing rods, and they are usually quite heavy in construction and weight too. They are long to assist in casting bait and sinkers/tackle from the beach out into the surf. Also, you can catch quite large fish with surf rods (maybe even shark) so a rod with plenty of strength is required. Surf rods are designed for eggbeater reels, overhead/conventional reels and sidecast reels. They are typically 3m to 4.2 m in length.
Game Fishing Rods
Game rods are used for game fishing in deeper saltwater. They are designed to catch large pelagic fish, and typically designed to hold fishing line of 10/15kg up to 37kg in strength. Game rods are thick and do not bend very easily. They will often have a gimbal fitting on the butt section so they can be used in a game fishing harness or chair. They will often have one or more 'roller' guides instead of regular line guides.
Fly Rods
Fly fishing rods are designed to catch freshwater fish, most usually trout, halibut or salmon. They are between 1.8 and 3.6m in length, and have a thin 'whippy' blank. They are designed to hold fly fishing reels and are predominantly used for freshwater fishing (although some people now use larger heavier rods and flys for some saltwater fishing too).
Boat Rods
Boat rods are probably a sub class of spin rods, but are shorter and heavier in length, designed for the rigours of saltwater fishing. They may be short to medium length (1.6 to 2.1m in length) and be able to hold line weights of 10 to 20kg. In Australia for example, boat rods are used for snapper and shark fishing, and may be designed to hold overhead/conventional or eggbeater style reels.
Construction
Most rods are made of either of 2 materials, fibreglass or graphite.
Fibreglass rods are hardier, can usually bend more, and cheaper. However, graphite rods can offer better 'feel' and now thanks to improving technologies, can be quite tough and resilient too. Graphite rods are usually more expensive.
Value/Quality/Brand
There are many brands of fishing rods in the market these days. Some brands are known worldwide, others are local to a country or region, and there is a growing number of very small brands due to the ease of importing product directly from factories and agent sin China (eg, home eBay businesses).
The fact is most rods in the world are manufactured in asia. Usually inChina. The big companies/brands all use very large and sophisticated factories. Smaller brands either use contract factories or piggy back onto the top tier factories. there are many rod factories, so quality can vary. We recommend sticking to well known brands and retailers in your area that can offer support, have good product knowledge and can offer good value too.
Look for good reputable retailers, and do some price research before buying.
Trolling For Rockfish
Trolling is the preferred angling method for those targeting striped bass (a.k.a. rockfish) during the spring and fall seasons on the Chesapeake Bay. The two primary areas that are the focus of this article are the recommended tackle and techniques required to catch rockfish.
TACKLE: Over the years we have experimented with many different setups some that worked well and some that didn't. Below are my recommendations as to what works best.
RODS: For your planer board rods I recommend a 6 to 6 A foot 30 to 50 pound class rod. The rods need to have a gimbal and a solid set of guides. Stay away from guides with ceramic inserts. Roller guides are not required and a likely sign that you over spent. We use offshore angler's power sticks which are available from bass pro shops and should last a lifetime. Cost is around $90 per rod. All of the required characteristics for your boat rods are the same except I recommend a 40 to 60 pound class rod because your boat rods are going to typically be used to troll relatively heavier baits including in line sinkers.
REELS: For your planer board reels I recommend Shimano Tekoda 700's and for the boat reels I recommend Shimano Tekoda 800's. When you get the reels you will want to adjust the reel handles out 1 place to the farthest position as this will give the angler more leverage on the fish when cranking the handle.
LINE: For your planer board reels I recommend 50 pound test mono either clear or dark green camouflage. I tend to stay away from the high visibility lines when fishing the Chesapeake Bay. I also typically do not put braided line on my board reels because braided line has a higher propensity to slip out of the scotty clip. If you prefer to use braided line on your planer board reels, and many folks do, then I recommend at least 80 pound test to ensure the line does not inadvertently slip out of the clip. For the boat reels I recommend 65 pound test moss green power pro. I also have no problem spooling a couple of the reels up with monel wire. I grew up using wire and we still catch plenty of rockfish on wire line each season. As for your leaders I recommend 60 pound test fluorocarbon but given the cost any clear or low visibility monofilament will suffice.
LURES: We use mostly chartreuse and white tandem rigs with parachutes affixed. We also use umbrella rigs. Our tandems are typically 2 to 4, 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 ounce combos with 9 inch shads attached. We typically use products produced by local outfitters. For more information as to the specific companies and brands we use please contact me via email at the email address given below and I will provide you several folks who can meet your needs. I should point out that we do adjust our trailing baits quite often and have found that green and chartreuse tomic plugs, made in France, work very well. Also don't be afraid to use a crippled alewive or tony accetta spoon either.
THE SPREAD: We run 21 lines from a 35 foot Carolina Classic express sportfisherman with a 14 foot beam. I know many a charter captains who run many more lines than that. My philosophy is simple. Troll as many lines as you're comfortable with. Mitigating factors should include the number of accessible rod holders you have, your vessel's beam width, and your crew's experience level. The last thing you want to do is compete against a charter boat. Most charter boats run 2 trips a day and deploy as many rods as possible because it greatly increases the odds that they can return to the dock with happy customers in time to pick up their next party. Your typical fisherman that is out there for the love of the sport shouldn't need a 140 feet span of planer line and 30 rods deployed to catch rockfish.
PLANER BOARD MATH: At the onset of your fishing day you need to stagger your distances and weights as you need to find where in the water column the rockfish are feeding and adjust your trolling depths appropriately. Be careful not to put your heaviest lures to the far outside position on your planer boards because this increases the likelihood of a tangle when the bait is struck. We typically work lightest to heaviest without significant weight variation on our board lines. I would not recommend deploying to the planer lines any tandem with a combined weight in excess of 14 ounces. We recommend you leave the deeper running heavier rigs for the boat rods not the planer boards. When deploying your planer rods be sure to adjust the bait's distance behind the boat appropriately remembering that the farthest bait out if struck and pulled from your clip will drop the farthest distance behind the boat. For instance, if your planer board is tracking 100 feet a beam of your vessel and you drop a bait back 120 feet and then run it all the way out to the planer board when struck you will have the fish 220 feet behind the boat. Why is this important to note? Because you must be careful to adjust each additional line you put out on your planer board line to ensure appropriate separation. If you fail to do so you'll spend more time sorting through tangles than fishing. For instance, given the example above you would not want to put the next bait 140 feet behind the boat and send it to a position 80 feet a beam of your vessel because if both baits get struck at the same time the 2 fish will be right on top of one another exactly 220 feet behind your boat. At that point the only distance separating the 2 fish and the 220 feet line spans is the horizontal distance between the respective rod holders.
BOAT HANDLING: At the onset of your fishing day we recommend a trolling speed between 3 and 3.5 knots speed over ground. For some inboard vessels this means you may need to have a trolling valve installed. As a short solution you can use a sea anchor to slow your speed but this is not a good permanent solution and represents another potential obstacle anglers must avoid when landing a fish. You want to pay particular attention to your trolling speed and note at which speeds your having more success. On a slow day don't hesitate to adjust your speeds. Our basic principle is the colder the water temperature the slower we troll. In the winter months we've trolled as slow as 2 knots and caught fish.
FINDING FISH: Work the channel edges in a zig zag pattern from one side of the channel to the other until you locate the fish. Depths from 35 to 80 feet are most appropriate. We often drop our boat rods back a little farther when we are in the middle of the channel and adjust them appropriately as we reach the channel edge. Your really not looking for fish but rather bait as where there is bait there is bound to be fish. Pay attention to diving birds and large schools of menhaden you might see on your sounder. Mark the larger schools and don't be afraid to circle back over those marks repeatedly from multiple directions.
KNOW THE TIDES: If readers take one thing away from this article it should be the importance of knowing your tide information. Always have a tide chart on your boat and be sure to make note of the high, low and slack tide times for your area before departing the dock. Rockfish always bite best on an ebb or flood tide and are much less likely to bite on a slack tide. If you don't have a full day to put into your fishing effort make sure you plan your departure time to avoid fishing in slack tide conditions.
Buying the Right Fishing Rod
Fishing Rods come in a massive variety. You can buy fishing rods for fishing out of a boat, in freshwater, in rivers, for fly fishing, off the beach, off the rocks, for overhead and spinning reels and a huge other list of different applications. The trick is to get a rod which is going to fill the requirements of what you are doing. You wouldn't go and buy a racing car to go four wheel driving, so likewise don't buy a beach rod and expect to take it out in the boat with you.
Fly fishing rods are very different to standard fishing rods, and overhead reels make rods different too (although some rods can work both ways with an overhead or spinning reel). Buy a rod that is in your budget, but that is going to do what you want it to. If you only go fishing a few times a year then perhaps getting that nice looking graphite rod is not a good idea; knock it only a few times and you are up for a whole new rod. Fiberglass rods are a great start as they are strong and long lasting. It doesn't matter if you drop them either; unlike the very fragile graphite rods!
What is most important in a rod is usually the length and composition. For fishing off the beach the bigger the rod the better (but don't get anything over 15 foot) assuming you are a fully grown adult. Kids are better off using small rods for the beach as they are easier to handle. Freshwater fishing, fishing off the rocks and fishing from a boat can be done with a smaller rod, but boat rods tend to be a little less flexible (depending on what you are trying to get!). There is a huge variety of rods that you can get, but you should get the help of someone who is experienced when you walk into a fishing store.
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Steelhead put up a good fight no matter what fly fishing rod an angler chooses to use. There are many different tactics that one may choose to use in order to hook into one of these magnificent sea faring trout, which in turn requires different rods to get the job done in the most efficient matter. Let's take a look at the main methods for steelhead fly fishing and talk about the best steelhead fly rods that you may want to make a part of your fly fishing gear arsenal.
Two Types of Rods
There are two different types of rods that a steelhead fly fisherman has to choose from. There is the traditional single handed rods that use an overhead cast to get the fly to the fish. A traditional rod is what most people think of when they think of fly fishing. This is where most beginners will want to start, especially if they have not had other fly fishing experiences in the past.
Spey Rods are longer, two handed steelhead and salmon fly rods that can be used with an overhead cast, but are most often used with a certain type of roll casting. This is more for advanced fly anglers, as the casts must be very precise. Spey casting has gained a lot of popularity in the last decade or two. This is mainly because a good spey caster can cast a fly much farther than with a traditional steelhead fly rod and with much less energy being used. Spey Rods are great for large rivers where a lot of water needs to be covered. They are typically the second step, and I do not suggest you start with this method. Rod Size
Steelhead vary in size from river to river. In my home area of the Snake River Drainage, we have the Clearwater River where a 25 pound steelhead is not out of the question. Only a short drive away is the Grande Ronde where an average steelhead is 6 pounds with 10 pounds being big. For this reason a Steelhead fly fisherman needs to take into account the size of rod weight he or she will want to purchase. For a smaller weighing run, a 7wt might be perfect, whereas a river that tends to hold larger fish you would be better off with a 9 or 10wt. If I had to buy one rod for all rivers, I think a guy would not regret an 8wt or 9wt.
Budget
Rod price will also affect which rod you will purchase. With quality comes price. I would stay away from rods that do not offer an unconditional lifetime warranty, as we all break rods sooner or later. The value priced rods will start at around $300 and go up from there. High end rods will offer a better feel and comfortability, but are definitely not required to catch fish and will most likely not catch you more fish. A good rule of thumb is to go with the best steelhead fly rod you can afford.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect fly rod for Steelhead, or any other fish is not a simple decision. There are numerous brands, sizes and styles to choose form. The next step in this process is picking out a make and model of rod, and then a reel and line. To further narrow you search for the best fly rod for steelhead, go to The OnlineFlyFishingGuide.com . Choose which weight rod will best be suited for you and we will show you the exact rod we feel is the best bet for a wide range of budgets. Click Here: www.OnlineFlyFishingGuide.com
About the author: Chris Jackson is an avid outdoorsman living in the Northwest in the state of Idaho. He spends as much time with his wife, daughter, and friends in the outdoors as he can. Fly Fishing and archery are his passions, as well as anything else he can do to get outside and experience all that the Northwest has to offer.
The Daiwa D-Shock B rod and reel combo is available in rod lengths ranging from 5'-6'6" so you can pick up one in the length you need. Made from a fiberglass rod blank and featuring aluminum oxide guides, cork handle, and hook keeper gives you all the basic features you need in a standard fishing rod. All of the rods in the D-Shock B line are 2 pieces so you can break them down to easily fit inside your car without damaging guides. The reel comes in a silver finish, has a graphite body, and a Twist Buster Line Roller giving you a smooth reel-in action.
This rod and reel combo is great for the young fisher in your family. Featuring a built-in LED that lights up as you reel in, this rod will make you stand out at your local fishing spot. Available in lengths from 4' to 6'6" and colors such as pink, orange, and silver so you can get the right rod and reel to match your young angler's personality. These rods are also great for night fishing so you can see what the line is doing even in the darkest conditions. 
The Ugly Stik spin combo is a great medium action rod for a wide variety of anglers. Featuring a 2 piece rod design and a ball bearing reel that has an E-Z Cast Trigger this rod and reel combo is designed with the fishermen in mind. This rod and reel combination works great on almost all types of freshwater fish and my personally favorite fish to use this rod and reel on are bass! 
