Tackle Frenzy - Choosing A Rod

The fishing rod has several materials that it can be manufactured from, each having different benefits to the angler. Entry level fishing rods are normally constructed from glass fibre blanks (the bit everything else is attached to) which has been used for years. Glass fibre performs well for it's price and can provide many years of service if looked after, however it is fair to say that if abused it can be snapped fairly easily.

The next stage is composite materials, a mixture of glass fibre and low density carbon. Stronger and lighter than glass fibre, most rods below £35 are made of a composite mix.

You then have a low density carbon fibre which is lighter again and stronger than composite mix followed by the Rolls Royce of blanks which is high density carbon fibre. As usual your budget will dictate which material you receive in your blank, however every rod sold by Fishing Buddy™ offers value for money so if you are on a fixed budget, a well cared for glass fibre or composite blank will serve the weekend angler well.

There are a few considerations to make before making your purchase such as:

The type of sea fishing that you will be undertaking
- Beach Fishing
- Rock Fishing
- Pier Fishing
- Boat Fishing
What is your budget
How often will you fish
Do you need to have the best or are you simply looking for a great value product?

At Fishing Buddy™ we work on a good better best philosophy with our range of products with the Powerstick range of rods being the Good, the Chieftain range being better and the Maxximus range being best.

What is the difference:

Powerstick	The Powerstick range is one of the most popular rods sold due to its incredible value for money. The blanks are made from a carbon composite (mixture of fibre glass and carbon fibre), the rings are all metal with ceramic inserts for a smooth transition of line and the reel fitting is the modern screw type. For their price they offer a medium action and are reasonably lightweight and all come in a cloth bag. The striking blue graphics on the Powerstick range add to the quality feel of the rods.
Chieftain	The Chieftain range of rods are all IM6 carbon and are lightweight yet incredibly strong. They have good through actions, quality line guides and screw fitting reel seats. The graphite blank allows a stronger rod for a thinner blank reducing weight. Graphite also gives more action down through the blank and in beachcaster can provide greater distance if required. The contrast of the red graphics and ring whipping make the Chieftain a very desirable range.
Maxximus	The ultimate in fishing rods is the Maxximus range. You will see no doubt on other web sites and mail order catalogues rods at two and three times the price but I assure you they are not worth it in comparison to the Maxximus. The rods are IM7 grade carbon (top grade) and the rings are Fuji (top grade). The rods are unbelievably light and unbelievably strong and offer piece of mind to the serious angler when fighting that specimen fish.

Why Carbon?

Carbon rods offer incredible strength to weight ratio and are very durable. The main difference I find though is in the action. As carbon rods are very thin for their strength they can offer an action (bend of the rod) from the tip right through to the handle providing more of a shock absorber action that a fibre glass or composite rod which tends to only have action from the tip to the centre of the rod. Why is this important? To the weekend angler it is not essential (though most of us find it desirable) but to the match angler it is very important as a more through action allows the angler to play the fish harder and tire them out faster meaning that more fish can be caught during a session using a carbon rod.

Which One Is Best For Me?

We can only offer advice on the types of rods available but for me her are the options I would recommend:

Occasional Anglers	Unless you are the type of person that wishes to use only the best I would advise the Powerstick range as these will serve the angler well for the amount of use they will get. The only proviso I would recommend is to ensure that your drag on the reel is set correctly to protect the rod against breaking. If the rod is rated 15-25lb then stick to 15lb line or if the casting weight is 50-150g do not exceed this.
Weekend Anglers	The Chieftain range if the budget allows is the one for you. A carbon rod for the more experienced angler will be appreciated but having stated this if angling on a budget the Powerstick range will serve well.
Sport Anglers	The Chieftain range is a must as a minimum and the Maxximus range is the one to go for if the budget allows. The Maxximus range is without a doubt the best of the best and out performs many rods for twice or three times the price from other manufacturers.

What Type of Rod Should I Choose?

With sea angling there is a rod for each type of fishing and many anglers grow their collection as their angling experiences grow. However the trick is in the name! Beachcaster and Surf rods are used for beach fishing, boat rods for boat fishing, pier rods for pier fishing and so on - nothing too technical for the sea angler!

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