Types of Fishing Rods | Fishing Rod Styles

Fishing rods are nearly identical (except for a few tiny variances), there’s a high possibility you’ll end up with a rod that isn’t designed to hold your reel. As has been noted, now is the time to wave goodbye to your disappointments because what you’re about to learn is the most accurate differences between the many types of fishing rods for different species and fishing techniques, and we’re confident you won’t make a mistake when selecting the right rod for you.

With reference to fishing rods, there are a total of 9 different types of fishing poles with two of them as the main types. Six of them are designed to complement different water conditions and fishing styles i.e ice fishing, trolling, surf fishing, fly fishing, etc whereas the last one is for the kids and is quite short in size.  In addition, There are singular, two-piece, three, and four-piece rods that come under the category of travel rods. Despite their types, they also differ in construction i.e having different lengths, materials, action, and power. So, let’s drive in the depth of each type to see what they actually entail. 

Types of Fishing Rods: Major Classification 

To your surprise, there are just two major types of fishing rods, and you must be familiar with them to some extent. Whereas,  all types of fishing rods are their subcategories. However, there are some technicalities that are worth knowing including the structure, the application, and the benefits before you decide on which rod to go for; 

Spinning Fishing Rod:

Spin fishing rods are by far the simplest rods available in the market. They are easy to use as well as do not involve so many technicalities in order to get them to use. Plus, they are pretty much more versatile than the casting ones. 

Let’s have a look at the structure of a spinning rod:

Although, the structure of a spinning rod is similar to a casting rod except that the reel seat comes downward. As per the length, they are approximately four to nine feet long. In addition, they also have a few more features that vary from manufacture to manufacture. 

Application and Key benefits:

As the name suggests, Spinning rods are typically used with spinning reels. Consequently, the most favorable condition to using spinning rods is for inshore and bank fishing. Although, spinning fishing rods are ideal for panfish, bass, walleye, and trout with respect to the weight of the rod in accord with the weight of the fish. 

Besides that, there are potential benefits that you may avail yourself of with the spinning rod. Firstly, the structure itself is the biggest advantage over here, with the reel placed downward you can use your dominant hand on the reel and thus have the optimum control over it. In addition, they are excellent at enabling accuracy and precision. And above all, they are effortless to use e.g even a newbie can easily cast lures with the spinning rod which furthermore adds value to this rod.

Baitcasting Fishing Rod:

Just put the reel seat from downward to upward and that’s it, that’s the baitcasting fishing rod. While for the specifications, these rods are a bit heavy than the spinning ones but a lot easier to operate. They have large rod guides as well and also, there’s a line release switch in these rods. 

Besides, they are also referred to as spin casting rods so don’t get confused with the names; they both are similar. However, there’s Zebco spin-cast rod that is slightly different e.g it has push-button and for this, they are known as push-button rods. 

Application and Key benefits:

Baitcasting rods are used for heavier applications, as such for trout, bass, and catfish. They are mostly equipped with baitcasting or spin casting reels. Although, they are a bit hard-to-use rods and thus they are usually used by professional anglers unless you are using a spincast reel with these rods. 

With baitcasting rods, you can use heavier lines and lures which otherwise you won’t be able to use with the spinning rod. However, you can make the best use of these rods on a lake, pounds, or even on the saltwater (if it is perfectly anti-corrosive).

Types of rods based on fishing style:

Other than the casting and spinning rods, there are different fishing rod styles that we have explained below. 

Telescopic Rods:

When it comes to portability and handiness, nothing can beat Telescopic rods. They are the most compact rods in the market to their folding ability; which means that you can minimize the rod to as short of a length as you want and then expend it again when using. This is the reason they are called travel rods too.

As for the structure, the guides of the rod are placed at the top of the rod altogether unlike in spinning and casting rods where they are evenly distributed throughout the rod. Their sensitivity is great and they can also turn out to be super comfortable rods.

If you happen to travel a lot then this might be the right rod for you. They are solid and sturdy as well. However, these rods, due to the uneven guides, are not as accurate as the usual rods, but with a little practice and time, you can certainly cast better with it.

Ice fishing rods:

Ice fishing rods are a kind of ultra-lightweight spinning rods that are made to fish under the ice covers of the sea. Technically, they are the small fishing poles that are used for small panfish or walleye but with a well-constructed ice fishing rod, you can even cast heavier species with a successful retrieve.

Trolling/Overhead rods:

Ever wondered what rods could support conventional reels because of their gigantic size. That’s precisely why trolling rods came into existence. Likewise, they are large in size and able to hold heavier lines without backlashes. Apart from trolling, they are sometimes called overhead rods because of their size. 

Also, they are rigid and stiff as well as they are used with a moving boat so eliminating the risk of it getting snapped is a must. All in all, these rods are one of the most well-constructed rods yet you have to be careful while considering them for purchase because you practically can’t use them other than for trolling.

Fly fishing rods:

Fly fishing rods are large rods ( like surfing ones) used for fly fishing using a fly reel and fly line. Like the trolling reels, they are rigid and stiff as well plus they have plenty of power to cast heavier lures with ease. Unlike the ordinary setup of reel and rod; here the reel is put beneath the rod and resultantly, the rod acts as the lever to the reel. 

In detail, there are three types of fly rods; tip flex fly rods, mid-flex fly rods, and full flex fly rods. All these variants differ in flexing ability with tip-flex being the least elastic and full-flex as the complete. However, they are sometimes inoperable in the heavy wind which, by far, is the serious drawback of this rod. 

Surf fishing rods:

Just like fly rods, surf fishing rods are also bigger in length except that they are used for seawater fishing. They are anti-corrosive at best to stand against the heavy corrosion of the sea. With these rods, you can go fishing on beaches and offshore. Additionally, these rods can be both; spinning and casting. 

Rods for the kids:

Certain spin cast rods with a smaller length come under the category of kids rods. They are small fishing rods types designed for a smaller cast with lighter lures at utmost precision. Although they lack few characteristics of the professional rods, never mind, they are best for getting started with the fishing game as they truly help the younger fishing enthusiasts.  

Types Of Fishing Rods: By Variants

Apart from classification, there is also a difference in how the rods are built. In that area, rods are built with four different variations e.g 

• One-piece rods
• Two-piece rods
• Three-piece rods
• Four-piece rods

One-piece rods:

One-piece rods are the most common ones out there. As clearly understood by the name, they are just a single piece of the rod, and obviously, if you disassemble it, you will lose it completely. Apart from the specifications, they are sensitive and have an active tip that you can trust for accuracy and precision. Durability is yet another perk that you can get with these rods. Also, they are easy to cast with since you won’t be needing a whole lot of hectic processes to assemble them. 

Two-piece rods:

Have you ever about ferrules? That’s what makes the rod a 2-piece rod. There are ferrules, (understand them as joints), that connect the rods together. These rods have many benefits. 

1. You can have total control over length as how much you want.  For this, you can have spare ferrules and attach them to add length.
2. They are easy to transport since you can detach them and store them wherever you want. At times, they have appear3ed to be great travel rods. 
3. Unlike telescopic rods, they have guides paced all over the rod evenly ( like that in spinning and baitcasting rods) so you don’t have to settle for the inaccurate casts as well. 

Although, you must be fully aware of the procedure to connect the two pieces of the rod because one minor mistake and it will guarantee to ruin your cast. Also, be gentle while assembling and dissembling the rod. And lastly, they ended proper care and maintenance so make sure you are doing it otherwise you’ll have to say goodbye to them quite early.

Three-piece rods and Four-piece rods: 

Three-piece and four-piece rods are similar to 2-piece rods except that they are in more pieces. They are originally designed for traveling purposes and considered to be the original travel rods. However, they have pretty much all the same perks and drawbacks as the two-piece rods. 

FAQs:

Conclusion:

So it ends here with all the information required to know and distinguish different types of fishing rods. A fishing rod can be spinning, baitcasting, and telescopic in construction. Other than that, you’ll be having a rod based on what condition you fish mostly. You may be also given options to choose from one-piece, two-piece, or even three or four. And if you are a kid, don’t be panicked, here are cute little kids’ rods as well. 

Conclusively, the key focus here is to understand what each type offers and what to expect from a certain type of fishing rod. And also, choosing the best rod that complements your reel well enough. Having said that, we are hopeful to deliver you the guidance in choosing what you need by clearing up the confusion. So let us know which rod do you like the most and why?