| See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly | | | | in oceans and along the coast. Choose a rod |
| moving stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, | | | | appropriate to the environment.Plan For Species |
| your fishing rod bent beneath the weight of an | | | | Of FishShort, strong rods are best for landing |
| unusually large catch.Whether or not you land that | | | | game fish. Stronger and thicker rods should be |
| fish depends on the decisions you made at the | | | | used for large, aggressive fish. Such fish could |
| shop -- primarily the type of rod.The ABCs Of | | | | break a lighter pole.Select Rod By |
| Fishing RodsYour rod is the most important tool | | | | MaterialCommon types of fishing rods include |
| you will use while fishing, and you can chose from | | | | bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.Bamboo rods can |
| a wide range of types, styles and lengths.A fishing | | | | be a basic, inexpensive pole with a line attached, |
| rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, wood | | | | to very expensive handcrafted rods that are |
| or bamboo used to catch fish (duh). Fishing | | | | used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up |
| filament (line), is threaded through the ferrules | | | | to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing |
| (eyes) along the rod. The ferrule at the tip directs | | | | rods. If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, |
| the cast. 1 end of the line winds around a reel at | | | | fiberglass or graphite rods are best.Fiberglass rods |
| the base of the pole. The other end of the line | | | | are good for beginners and kids and they're |
| has a baited hook attached to it.Fishing rods vary | | | | reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, |
| from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet, with the | | | | flexibility characteristics, and require very little |
| average being 6 feet long. Rod length is chosen | | | | maintenance.Many experienced anglers prefer |
| based on: the species of fish you target and the | | | | graphite rods, because they are very lightweight |
| environment you will fish at.LandscapeIf your | | | | and extremely strong.A Fitting RodYour goal |
| fishing hole is beside trees with overhead | | | | should be to find a rod that fits your arm and is |
| branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. Flexibility | | | | comfortable. If you have trouble choosing, ask |
| -- the amount the rod can bend before breaking | | | | someone with experience to go along or just ask |
| -- is determined by the diameter of the pole. Light | | | | the staff at a fishing store. A few pointers will |
| rods are thin and flexible, while stronger rods are | | | | quickly get you on your way -- to a world of |
| thicker and more rigid.For open terrain, flexible, | | | | fun.Visit Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a |
| thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet long are good, | | | | full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. |
| unless it is too windy.Fresh Water Or Salt | | | | Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be |
| Water?Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, | | | | reprinted if the resource box is left intact. |
| rivers and streams, while saltwater fishing is done | | | | |