Types of Fishing Poles
There are multiple species of fish that anglers target, from small fish that live in lakes and streams in freshwater to those that tip the scales at 1,000 pounds or more and live in the ocean. Given the wide variety of fish and techniques and lures that can be used to catch those fish, fishermen, too, have different types of fishing poles at their disposal. The main types are spinning, casting, fly, sea, ice fishing and telescopic.
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Spinning poles
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Spinning fishing rods generally are between 5 and 8 feet in length and made from fiberglass or graphite, which is the most sensitive of the two materials. They are paired with spinning reels and come in many actions that range from ultralight to heavy. As a result, spinning poles can be used to target nearly any fish that swims, as long as they are heavy enough. Spinning poles are the only ones on which the reel hangs below the fishing rod. Spinning poles can be used for casting, trolling, drifting and still fishing. They range from about $15 to more than $500, but anglers can get a spinning rod of decent quality for $50 to $75.
Casting poles
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Casting poles can hold two kinds of reels: baitcast and spincast reels. These types of rods have a reel seat on the handle that holds the reel in place atop the rod. Casting poles most often are made of fiberglass and graphite, ranging in size from about 5 to 9 feet long. Like spinning poles, casting rods are available in a variety of strengths, ranging from medium to heavy action. Casting poles and baitcasting reels are often used by anglers who want to cast with precision, cast long distances or cast heavy lures. Spincast reels and casting rods most often are used by beginning fishermen. The price for a casting rod ranges from about $30 to $400, with one of average quality costing between $50 and $100.
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Fly rods
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Fly rods are used by fly fishermen. Most commonly thought of as trout-fishing rods, fly rods come in many sizes and strengths and can be used to catch fish ranging from sunfish to large ocean-dwelling species. Fly rods, usually made from carbon graphite, are paired with fly reels. Fly rods taper in size from one end to the other, and the amount of taper corresponds with how flexible the rod is. The more taper a fly rod has, the lighter action it is. The average fly rod costs about $100.
Sea poles
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Sea poles are are used for catching fish that live in the ocean. Sea poles are thick and most often are about 10 feet long. They have thick rod guides and thick tips so they can handle fish that can weigh hundreds of pounds or more. Sea poles are used with spinning reels, and some sea poles are designed especially for casting lures long distances from the shoreline. These are known as surf-casting rods. Sea poles range in price from about $80 to $300.
Ice fishing poles
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Ice fishing poles are like miniature versions of spinning rods. They usually are between about 24 and 36 inches in length and are paired with spinning reels. Like larger spinning rods, poles for ice fishing come in actions ranging from ultralight to heavy and, therefore, can be used by ice fishermen targeting species ranging from sunfish to northern pike to large lake trout. Ice fishing poles range from about $10 to $50, though anglers can purchase a quality ice rod and reel combination for about $40.
Telescopic poles
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Telescopic rods are designed to be easy to transport. They collapse into themselves, which allows a 20-foot rod to collapse into about 18 inches. When anglers are ready to use them, they simply pull the rod tip until the rod is its full length. They are available in the same actions as spinning poles and hold spinning reels. Depending on the strength, they can be used to target small species like crappies, but can also be used for catching the large fish that live in the ocean. Telescopic poles generally cost less than $50.
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