All about choosing the right spinning rod

Previously, the rod market was so small and not everyone knew what spinning was, so it was quite easy to make a choice. Since now the assortment has grown significantly, it is necessary to understand for what type of fishing the rod will be used, as well as for which fish. The success of fishing for a predator largely depends on the correct choice of a fishing rod model, therefore, before you go to buy, you need to understand and know all the characteristics of spinning, and also understand what the classification of spinning rods is.

One of the most important points is to understand for what. It could be:

• Nano jig.
• Heavy jig.
• Twitching.
• Jerking.
• Spoon.

There is no such thing as a universal spinning rod that will suit all styles. You can use one rod, but it will be very inconvenient and ineffective. There is a certain classification of spinning rods, which implies the use of each rod for its own fishing style.

Production material

In today's market, there are only a few materials used to make letterheads. Even more than 20 years ago, it was possible to meet metal spinning, but now there are much more convenient, flexible and at the same time strong materials for blanks.

Fiberglass- one of the most common materials, which is common in inexpensive models. Advantages include low cost and ease of use. Ideal for beginners who want to try their hand at spinning. Of the minuses, it can be noted that it will not be sensitive and has a lot of weight.

Composite- This is carbon fiber, which has interspersed with fiberglass fibers. Such rods combine moderate rigidity and satisfactory strength. Good quality match for average prices.

Carbon (graphite, carbon fiber, carbon fiber)- the most modern material. It has light weight, good sensitivity and high strength. Carbon has several subspecies according to the presence of graphite.

These marks show the amount of graphite in the rod. The higher the rigidity of the spinning rod, the more sensitive the blank will be. However, hard options will have lower strength than low graphite options. Rods with a low rating will have less stiffness and slower reaction times.

Photo 1. Carbon IM7.

Spinning design

Also, all rods differ from each other in their design.

Compound spinning rods are the most common and usually have two knees. They are considered the easiest and best option. They are connected by inserting one knee into another, this fastener is called a plug.

Telescopic - have 5 or 6 joints, which make high-quality spinning heavier and less reliable. The advantage of telescopes is that they are small in size, which is convenient for long trips. Special attention must be paid to the docking nodes, because these are the most vulnerable places.

Spinning length

Size is quite an important indicator. Basically it goes from 160 to 360 cm. The most popular length:

The advantages of long rods are that they allow you to cast the bait further and are easier to work with when playing. However, they have less compactness and more weight. The shorter ones are more popular for places where you can't swing with a long rod. For fishing from a boat, a length of no more than 210 cm is recommended. This length will be optimal for playing fish up to 3-4 kg.

spinning system

An important characteristic of spinning is the action of spinning rods, which shows how much it can bend. There are 4 main types in total:

• A - the 14th part of the blank is bent - this is a hard spinning fast action.
• B - bends 12 part - medium-hard action.
• C - bends 34 part - medium-soft action.
• D - the whole is bent - a slow spinning system.

The farthest casting can be done with a slow action spinning rod, it also significantly softens the blows of large specimens of fish when playing and reduces the load on the line and reel. The hard type is the most powerful, but has a lower casting distance and softens the jerks of the fish the least. Medium hardness blanks are the most versatile and in demand.

Rod test

When buying, many do not know what a spinning test is. The indicated rod test shows what weight range of lures can be cast with them. Each spinning rod has a marking, so it will not be difficult to determine the class of weight spinning. The weight of a potentially caught fish, on the contrary, is not indicated, because with the correct fighting technique, the spinning rod will survive in any case. The test has the following options:

• - the easiest spinning test, but at the same time a fragile class. Suitable for catching small predators in small ponds. Equipped with a thin fishing line from 0.08 to 0.18mm. The length of such spinning is usually 1.5 - 2.1 m. Ultralight spinning helps to feel the struggle of even the smallest perch and turn it into an exciting process. Baits from 1 - 5 grams are allowed.
• light– rod test close to ultralight. Light spinning rods are used for baits weighing 3 - 10 g. The length of the spinning ranges from 2 - 2.5 m. It is also designed for small fish and is equipped with a thin fishing line 0.1 - 0.23.
• medium light- by far the most popular class. This is due to the fact that it has sufficient reliability and an extensive choice of bait weights. Weights can be from 5 to 25 g. With this class, you can have quite a good chance of successfully fighting large specimens of fish. The most commonly used line in this class is 0.15 - 0.25.
• Medium- the middle class, which is applicable in large reservoirs, where fish can grow to large individuals. The fishing line is thicker, from 0.2 to 0.35 mm, and the weight of the lures is up to 40 g. The length of such sticks is approximately 2.4 - 3.3 m.
• Medium Heavy- the middle class, which is applicable for large reservoirs. They have a test of 15 to 40 g. More often they have a size of 2.5 m and above. They allow you to cast farther and catch serious fish.
• Heavy- the heaviest class. It is used mainly for sea fishing and trophy slaves. . They have strong strength, and the length starts from 2.7m and above. Equipped with the thickest types of fishing line and the most powerful reels. Test from 20 to 50 g.

Photo 3. Such different spinning rods!

Spinning line test

Not so long ago, line test began to be indicated on the rod, which means a line test. The line test shows how much breaking force the line on the rod can withstand. This is necessary so that in the event of a strong load, the fishing line is torn, and the rod does not break. The line test is indicated in kg or pounds (lb).

Spinning power

Power is one of the most important indicators. It can be different for the same system. It is divided into 4 groups:

• 1 class spinning - allows you to use baits no more than 10 g. Ideal for fish up to 2 kg.
• Grade 2- allows you to use baits from 10 to 30 g. Suitable for fish 2 - 6 kg.
• 3rd grade— allows you to use baits 30 - 60 g. Recommended for playing large and strong specimens from 6 to 12 kg.
• 4th grade- allows you to use baits from 60 g or more. Required to catch large marine fish.

Access rings

A rather important part in any spinning is high-quality access rings and certain requirements are imposed on them. Good rings will have a smooth finish to avoid heavy friction. This is the only way to be sure that the fishing line will last a long time. It is impossible for the rings to have grooves and cracks. As a rule, on modern forms they use very strong inserts.

Formerly popular ceramic spinning rings are now losing their appeal against the background of aluminum ones. Sitalocement inserts for rings are also known. The requirements for the inserts are that they stand firmly in the frames and do not spin.

Another requirement is that the through-rings must have rigid paws and legs. In light spinning rods, designs on one leg began to be used. They are placed on rods designed for use with spinning reels.

The rings on the rod have different heights so that they form a cone from the tip to the spool. In this case, the friction of the fishing line and rings is minimized, and the casting will be longer. However, large rings will be too large and inconvenient to transport. Therefore, something most optimal is usually chosen.

Serious demands are made to the tulip. It must be strong, and the insert into it is made especially strong, because this element has a large load from the friction of the working cord.

What is the handle made of?

The rod handle is made of polyurethane foam or cork material. All these materials do not have strong advantages and disadvantages, what matters is how manufacturers use them. The more famous the brand and the higher the price of the rod, the better, as a rule, the handle will be made.

Photo 4. Cork handle with an old type of reel seat.

Photo 5. A new type of reel seat.

How to choose spinning when buying

First you need to decide on the style of spinning fishing and in what conditions it can take place. This can be sea fishing, where length is important, or fishing from a boat, when a rod no longer than average is required. You should not assume that the cheapest product will be of good quality, in the low price range there will be many low-quality products and fakes of famous brands. Even when a good spinning rod is bought, it can be defective or damaged from transportation, so you should study all the smallest details well before buying.

The purchased item is bought for many years, so before buying, you should carefully examine everything and, if possible, test it on the spot.

Appearance needs to be carefully examined. The existing marking of the rods must correspond to the factory quality. You need to make sure that the markings on the base of the whip correspond to field tests. To check this, you need to dock the spinning knees or push them all the way when it is telescopic, and then carefully look around. The knees should be connected tightly, excluding turns and play.

It is necessary to check the rotation of the screws in the reel seat so that there are no distortions and other inconsistencies during installation. By the way, it is better to buy a reel at first along with a rod.

To determine the action of the rod, you need to bend it, pressing the tip to the floor, just not allowing the blank to break. Rigidity is checked by vertical strokes. During these manipulations, no extraneous noise should be heard, which may be caused by spinning defects.

Is it possible to buy a universal rod

Because beginners want to test all the styles and see if they want to engage in predator fishing further, the best budget option is to buy a universal rod. Under these conditions, a medium-fast blank of eight feet long and with an average bait test of 5-25 grams is best suited.