How Many Fish Rods Do You Need?

Every angler knows that owning a quality fish rod is a must. Investing in good equipment will make fishing a whole lot more enjoyable. If you are a beginner angler, you might have some questions about what kind of equipment you should buy.

How many fish rods do you need? For most people, one to three fishing rods is sufficient. You do not need to collect a bunch unless that is something you want to do. The number of rods you require will also depend on what type of fishing activities you partake in.

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In this article, I will list down and explain the functions of the different types of fish rods. This information will hopefully help you to determine which rods and how many of them suit your needs. Let’s get into it.

Types Of Fish Rods

Typically, you will use a different rod for different types of fishing. There are basic rods that act as starters for amateur fishers. Then, there are specialty rods that have specific functions and are made for certain fishing techniques.

These are some of the different types of fish rods you will find:

Spinning Fishing Poles

Spinning rods and reels are the most commonly used ones. They are usually very light, small, comfortable, and easy to use. It is the most ideal rod for beginners or anglers who fish only a few times a year. It is the most basic rod that is in almost every angler’s collection.

Bait-Casting Rods

The name of the rod is already pretty self-explanatory. A bait-casting rod is used to cast bait into the water. It does not matter whether you use fresh, live bait, or artificial bait. Much like the spinning rod, the bait-casting rod is also a basic staple in an angler’s collection.

With this one, you can cast longer distances compared to the spinning rod. You will also get more control with the bait-casting rod since you will need it when fish hook onto your bait. The chances of catching bigger fish also increase greatly with this type of rod.

Ice Fishing Rods

Ice fishing rods are used for fishing in frozen bodies of water. These rods look similar to spinning rods, except they are even shorter. Ice fishing rods do not have reels like spinning rods, and you have to wind the fishing line by hand.

Fly Fishing Rods

The fly fishing rod category is incredibly versatile. They are available in different sizes, shapes, and lengths. Most of the time, they are very thin, lightweight, and flexible compared to most rods.

These rods are not just versatile in their appearance but in their function as well. Fly fishing rods can be used to catch both tiny fish and humongous fish species. Aside from that, they can be used in freshwater and saltwater alike.

Surf Fishing Rods

Surf fishing rods, also known as sea fishing rods, are made for saltwater fishing. There are many types of rods in the sea fishing category aside from surf rods.

These rods are longer than average to allow anglers to cast very long distances from the shore. They are also more flexible and bendable than most fish rods. Also, surf rods are very tough and can take a beating from underwater rocks or reefs.

Telescopic Rods

Telescopic rods are one of the latest innovations in the industry. They are incredibly compact and portable. However, you can expand and extend the rod as you see fit.

Most of them can reach up to 20 feet in length. These are great for anglers who want to have their equipment in one box that they can easily carry.

Pen Fishing Rods

Pen fishing rods are also very compact, like the telescopic rods. The thing that allows them to be different from others is that they are much smaller.

You can fold the rod up into a small case that looks like a ballpen. These rods will fit easily in pockets and jackets, but they are not very extendable.

Choosing Fish Rods

Every person is different and requires varying types or numbers of rods. It will largely depend on what your specific needs are.

Here are some of the things that you need to consider when purchasing a fish rod:

Frequency

It should be one of the main factors you consider. If you only go fishing once or twice a year, having multiple rods is pointless and wasteful. One fishing rod will be more than enough.

On the other hand, if this is a regular hobby, investing in multiple rods is a good idea. Accidents can happen, and your rod might break, primarily if you fish often. Having extras already on hand will save you a lot of time and headaches.

Fishing Technique

Another thing to consider is your fishing technique. You will need a different rod depending on where you fish. For instance, beach or saltwater fishing is different from fishing in freshwaters like ponds and lakes.

While it would not be impossible to use just one rod for all, you will not get the best results.

If you dabble in various forms of fishing, it is best to buy more than one rod. Get a specialty rod for each specific type of fishing you partake in. Specialty rods will make for a smoother and easier fishing experience.

Target Species

The type of rods you use will also depend on your target fish species. Some fish can be easily caught no matter what rod you use. However, other species will require using some specialty rod.

One of the examples is that you may need to use a bait-casting reel if you want to catch bigger fish. If you are targeting predatory fish in saltwater, use a sea fishing rod instead.

Conclusion

The number of fish rods you need will depend on the angler. You have to consider the numerous factors that were mentioned above. In general, however, one to three rods is an ideal number for most amateur anglers.