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If your fishing rod isn’t working as good as it used to, it may be time for a new line. A reliable fishing line is important to have for a successful outing. It’s recommended to change your line every year.
To help you make the best decision for your rod, here are some considerations you should think about when choosing your line.
Is the Fishing Rod Suited for the Conditions of the Fish You are After?
First, it’s important to learn about the fishing rod you plan to use during your next outing. Your fishing pole’s action describes how much your rod bends when you add pressure on its tip and how quickly it returns to its regular position once you let go.
Fast action fishing poles are good for fishing heavy cover or fast current. These are usually sensitive roads that allow anglers to feel light bites and provide excellent hook setting with a relatively short motion. Fast action rods also have great lifting ability.
Medium action fishing rods offer greater casting distance than fast action fishing rods. Plus, they’re great for live bait and smaller lures.
Slow action fishing rods are excellent in handling the unexpected movement of fish near the boat. They are also great for casting distance, but their soft action makes it difficult to set hooks.
Characteristics of a Fishing Rod
There are two characteristics of your rod that you should familiarize yourself with, the action and the power of your rod.
Action of a Fishing Rod
Rods usually indicate only the power it takes to bend a rod, such as easy, medium, or light. Unlike the custom fishing rods sold at Signature Fishing Rods, the action is often not indicated. If you don’t know the action of a rod, grab the rod handle and carefully bend the tip downward. If the rod begins to bend in the upper 1/3rd of the blank toward the tip, it’s a fast action rod. If the rod bends in the middle, it’s a medium action rod, and if it bends in the lower part of the rod, it’s a slow action rod.
Power of a Fishing Rod
Light power rods are not normally used to fish for bass. You need the strength of the fishing rod to move a bass out of cover. Medium or medium/heavy power rods with fast tips are used when fishing crank-baits, spinnerbaits, and some plastic baits. The pulling of the line under water requires more power than topwater fishing but less effort than a heavy power rod. Heavy power rods are used when fishing heavy cover such as reeds, bushes, deep grass beds, or timber. This rod allows you to set the hook and get the fish out of these types of structures.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Line
Your fishing line also has different characteristics in their ability to “stretch,” visibility, and toughness.
Toughness is important if you anticipate fishing in areas with rocks, trees, or weeds. Each of these can knick a line that will make it easier to break at what always seems the wrong moment. If structure is not an issue, toughness is not as important. Visibility of line can be important, especially in clear water situations. However, be careful with lines that help with visibility. This type of line tends to be subject to losing its other characteristics quicker due to the elements.
Stretch is a characteristic that many overlook. It needs to compliment the characteristics of the rod. You do not want to use a line with no stretch with a fishing pole that does not have any softness to its bend. If you get snagged or hook a good fish, either the fishing rod or the line is likely to break. You also do not want to use a line with a lot of stretch with a fishing pole that bends easily. This makes it difficult to set the hook.
Experimenting with Fishing Lines
After years of fishing, I have found I should buy one brand of line in several different line ratings. With most of my fishing in the heavy current or heavy rock structure, I use a cut-resistant (extra tough) monofilament fishing line. Also, note that I push the rating limits on my custom fishing rod and fishing line to suit what I feel is best for my fishing situation. You should experiment to find what best works for you.
Purchase a Custom Fishing Rod in Illinois
If you’re looking for excellent custom fishing rods, poles, and reels made in the U.S.A, don’t forget to shop the online collection at Signature Fishing Rods. All rods come with a lifetime warranty. Give us a call today at 630-234-6214 with any questions!
