The truth is, you can catch a fish with a rod. But the latest and greatest graphite and fiberglass rods make catching easier and more fun. Problem is, there are about six million different freshwater fishing rods on the market, or so it seems anyway. This foolproof guide will help you put the right stick in your hand, whether you’re looking for high-elevation small brook trout or a large water lily mouth.

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What to consider

First, and most importantly, decide if you want a spinning, casting, or fly rod. The spinning setups – the simplest and most popular – are best for lines and light tackle, and will catch just about any swimming creature except, say, muskellunge or catfish. Volkswagen size. Casting rods are generally sturdier and use a heavier line, so you can pull stubborn, overfed fish out of their hiding places. And then there are the fly rods, objectively the most demanding and fun setup, but not exactly the most effective for filleting piles of fish.

Then you need to know what size of fish you are targeting so that you can choose an appropriate rod weight or power – the angler talks about the rod’s ability to withstand a fighting fish. Both casting and casting rods use easy tags – ultralight to extra heavy – that match the size of the fish. This table matches weights to species of fish if you cannot guess them yourself. Usually these rods also have their intended line weight stamped on the side (eg, “6-12 lb line”). Fly-rod weights work the same way, but on a number-based system. The higher the number, the larger the catch. Five-a-side weights are the most common and can handle almost any freshwater species except rainbow trout or large toothy predatory fish.

Two other key considerations are length – the longer the rod, the farther the throw – and the action. Slow-acting rods bend closer to the handle and, as a result, tend to be more responsive and generate less line speed, for smooth presentations. The fast-acting rods bend close to the tip, ideal for casting heavy lures. Medium stocks are, naturally, in the middle and a safe bet for most exits.

How we selected

For the past decade, I have fly fishing in the Lower 48 and Alaska, and have written about the outdoors for publications such as Field & Flow, Garden & Gun, Men’s diary, and USA today. This list includes fly rods that I have used a lot over the years, as well as spinning and casting models that have received favorable reviews from expert sources, such as Field & Flow and Outdoor living. I have also read customer reviews on Amazon and various discussion boards, for the sake of thoroughness.

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