All About Spinning Rods

Spinning rods are commonly used for stillfishing with live bait, casting small to medium lures and trolling. They are very popular fishing rods, especially for lighter lines.

Modern spinning rods are made from graphite or fiberglass blanks with a cork or foam handle. Graphite is the ultimate material for flexibility and fighting power, as well as the most sensitivity for feeling those delicate nibbles.

Most fishermen prefer cork handles over foam but you'll find good quality rods come with both. Top quality fishing rods are made with fine Portuguese cork handles. Foam handles resist stains better and are a good choice when using them in rod holders.

Spinning rods are designed with the reel hanging under the rod. You grip the handle by placing the reel's shaft between the middle finger and the index finger. Having that additional finger ahead of the reel shaft gives you a better grip for the unexpected.

You'll find spinning rods in a number of lengths ranging from 5 feet to 7-1/2 feet or more depending on what type of fish you are after. They will usually have 5 to 8 line guides starting with a very large one closest to the reel and decreasing in size all the way to the tip. The larger guide helps manage the line as it comes off the reel in wide loops.

The number of guides is based on the length and flexibility of the rod. The guides will usually have inserts that are made of various different materials such as plastic, metal or ceramics, which vary in their hardness. Ceramic guides are top quality, but many anglers will argue that nickel-titanium guides are the best.

The quality of a rod's guides affects the casting distance by reducing the amount of friction as the line passes through them. When using braided lines you should have ceramic or hard alloy guides as they tend to be more resistant to the wear that these somewhat abrasive lines can cause.

Reel seats should be made of quality materials and hold the reel in place snugly when tightened.

A rod's action affects the way a rod will perform when casting and fighting a fish. The actions are rated as slow, medium, medium/fast, and fast. Fast action rods bend mostly in the top quarter of the rod's length. Medium action rods bend farther down the rod's length. Slow action rods bend throughout the entire length of the rod, down to the handle.

A rod's action also relates to the size and weight of lures that are being fished. A slow action will be more effective in achieving maximum casting distance with smaller lures since the more limber rod will have a greater flex and propel the lure better than a stiffer fast action rod. They are also good for live bait, since they create a gentler cast. A medium action works well for casting crankbaits and moderate sized lures. Fast-action rods work great for heavier baits and lures. They also provide a strong and quick hookset.

Power is classed as Ultra-Light, Light, Medium, Medium/Heavy and Heavy.These classifications are helpful for targeting the size of the fish you are after and the strength of line you plan on using.

These are the things that make up a spinning rod, but another thing to consider is how good the rod feels in your hand. Comfort and balance when combined with your reel go a long way in making your days on the water more enjoyable. A good quality spinning rod and reel combo will give you a lifetime of service.

Shimano Clarus Series Spinning Rods

Top-quality components combine with a strong, sensitive graphite blank to bring you a spinning rod with all the quality you have come to expect from Shimano®. A premium graphite blank gives you the feel you need to detect the most timid strikes with the strength to hoist the big guys from the depths. Cork grips let you grip the rod with comfort and ensure, no matter how many casts you have made, you'll be ready for the next.
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St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod

St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods set the standard for a quality American made spinning rods at a reasonable price. There is absolutely no way to find a better rod for such an unbelievably low price. The Premier blanks are designed with the lightweight SCII graphite and are tastefully outfitted with high-grade components. These rods range from ultra-light power to extra-heavy power making them incredibly versatile and are ideal whether youre chasing crappies, trout or walleye.
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G. Loomis Saltwater Popping Rods

These popping rods were originally designed for casting LIVE BAIT (mainly shrimp), under a popping cork out on the flats, but freshwater anglers have found umpteen other uses for them as well. The rods have a relatively soft tip, which allows your bait to land softly and QUIETLY, even on long casts, another plus when the water's skinny and the fish spook easily. At the same time, they're powerful rods, capable of handling surprisingly large fish. They come in a variety of lengths for different applications. The top four guides and tip-top feature oversized rings to handle large knots for shock tippets. GREAT rods for great fish. Land Big Fish