| We have all heard the stories of the man or | | | | poor rod will have a "muddy" feel to it like a kind |
| woman who caught a whopper using just basic | | | | of mush, while a very good rod will trans fer the |
| tackle either on a boat or off a dock or even | | | | slightest movement at the lure to the hands of |
| surf fishing. The stories are all out there and they | | | | the one fishing. |
| ranges from the barely believable to the | | | | There are many kinds and styles of fishing rods |
| absolutely absurd. But is there any credence to | | | | on the market nowadays and many cheaper rods |
| the fact that good high quality fishing tackle is | | | | made over seas are just not very good. They |
| important to catch those bigger fish? Let's look at | | | | lack the quality needed to accomplish that all |
| the facts: | | | | critical strike signal that alerts the person fishing to |
| Firstly, what is it that we are trying to do? Well, | | | | "set the hook". Conversely, the higher end rods |
| for starters, we are trying to "trick" a fish into | | | | that may cost well over a hundred dollars have |
| biting our bait whether it be a live bait, chum or a | | | | the design to be sensitive enough to end a clear |
| artificial lure. This is the most difficult part, mainly | | | | signal to the fisher. |
| making the fish believe that what you are | | | | Rules to obey when buying a rod: |
| presenting is in actuality, something that they | | | | 1. Always buy a rod from a reputable dealer |
| want to eat. | | | | 2. Never let a salesman talk you into a rod just |
| Secondly, once you have caught the fish, landing it | | | | because they say it's the best of the best. |
| is a tricky maneuver. You have to make sure | | | | 3. Always ask other anglers what they like to use |
| that you don't rip off the fishes mouth and also | | | | and why. Get lots of opinions for the type of |
| get the fish into the boat or into your custody | | | | fishing you are going to do. |
| without losing it. Read: the one that got away! | | | | 4. Don't buy cheap equipment. Always buy the |
| Let's look at an example of a typical manipulation. | | | | best you can afford without endangering your |
| 1. The bait is placed on the hook or the lure is | | | | finances. This hobby can get expensive so don't |
| prepared. | | | | spend the mortgage money on fishing gear. |
| 2. It is cast into the water and either left hanging | | | | 5. Always read fishing magazines and look for |
| or jerked around | | | | reviews that cover the rod you are interested in |
| 3. Once the bait has been noticed by a fish, they | | | | 6. Never buy used gear without knowing what |
| have to decide to either eat it or pass it up. | | | | you are buying. The person is selling it for a |
| 4. Once the bait has been eaten, the person | | | | reason, find out that reason. It may be a design |
| fishing must be able to "feel" the strike and know | | | | flaw in the product. |
| when to "set the hook" | | | | 7. If you are buying a custom rod, have it made |
| 5. Once hooked, the fish must be brought safely | | | | by a reputable rod builder, one who has a |
| to the person fishing to be kept for food or | | | | reputation of excellence and knows about the |
| released. | | | | type of fish you will be fishing for. Make sure they |
| The area I am going to focus on in this article is | | | | use quality parts and assemblies. I.e: anyone can |
| # 4 and 5. This is the critical area in fishing. Some | | | | make a cheap rod nowadays. |
| rods give you the ability to "feel" that first strike | | | | 8. Have fun. Don't let this get so serious that you |
| very clearly and distinctly while others are very | | | | forget to have fun, this is an enjoyable hobby and |
| weak in transferring the movement up the line | | | | brings pleasure to millions all over the world. |
| onto the rod and through the persons hands. A | | | | |