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There's a wide variety of spinning rods with different lengths, rod actions and casting weights. This guide will cover everything you need to know about spinning rods and help you decide what type of spinning rod will best suit your style of fishing. We also have a Beginners Guide to Soft Plastics and Jig Heads which covers everything you need to know about soft plastic lure fishing and how to use them.
One of the first things to consider when buying a spinning rod will be your budget as they are available with a range of price tags. Generally the more expensive rods will be crafted from higher quality materials which can affect both the durability and strength of the rod.
LENGTH
The length of a spinning rod is another important aspect to consider. When choosing the rod's length you will want to think about the size of species you are fishing for, the distance you'll be casting and the weight of the lures you'll be using. Typically for spinning, shorter rods are much easier to control and have greater casting accuracy. On the other hand longer rods will be a lot better for distance casting.
ROD POWER AND CASTING WEIGHT
Rod power ranges from ultralight to extra heavy and can be used to determine the optimal lure weight and line size. The table below shows the best lure weights and line sizes to use with the different types of rod powers.
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It's important to match a lure's weight with the rods casting weight. All spinning rods will have their own casting weight range. For example a rod with a casting weight of 20-60 grams can comfortably cast a lure with the weight between 20 and 60 grams with the most optimal weight being 40 grams. If you try casting a lure which has a lower weight than the casting weight, the rod won't bend enough and can be more difficult to accurately cast the lure.
ROD ACTIONS
There are three types of rod actions, including slow, medium and fast action. A rod's action type can be indicated by how a rod bends when pressure has been placed at the tip. Below is a diagram of how each of the rod actions and the orange line represents the bend.
Slow action rods (also known as progressive action) are when the whole length of the rod bends. Rods with a slow action bend are great for playing fish as the bend absorbs more of the fight which reduces the chance of hook pulls. Because the rod has a softer action, fish can hit the lure with more confidence as they feel a lot less resistance from the rod. Although, when setting a hook it will require more force than other types of rods.
Medium action rods (also known as moderate action) are when they bend from half way down the rod to the tip. They offer both stiffness and softness making them in between slow and fast action rods. Because the rod compresses faster it is able to cast further than slow action rods and still a great action type for playing fish.Â
Fast action rods have a lot more backbone and only bend in the top third of the rod. Fast action rods are great for setting the hook and don't require as much force as a slow action rod.
ROD AND HANDLE MATERIALS
The two main types of materials rods are crafter from is fiberglass and carbon fiber. Fiberglass rods were around before carbon fiber rods and have great durability. Although most fiberglass rods are typically limited to slow action. Carbon fiber rods are generally more expensive depending on the quality of carbon used. Carbon fiber rods are light, strong and can come in all rod actions. However, carbon fiber rods are slightly less durable and have to be taken care of more than a fiberglass rod.
The two main handle materials in spinning rods are cork and EVA foam. Cork handle rods can be more sensitive than foam, however they are typically more expensive. EVA foam is a lot more common in modern spinning rods and is lighter than cork. It can also be more comfortable in the hand and is easier to clean. Handle materials will mainly come down to personal preference. Â
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