How To Hold A Fishing Rod? [Beginners Guide]

You need to hold a fishing rod correctly by splitting your ring and pinky finger between the reel seat with the thumb behind. The other hand should be at the handle for ease when you catch a fish.

What’s your favorite hobby? Or how do you spend your free time during the weekends or holidays outdoors? If fishing is on your list, how many fish have you caught so far? 10, 20, 30, 40, many? Well, if 1,2,3 is your answer this article is definitely for you.

At times, we may go fishing and not be productive, not because we don’t know how to fish, but because we don’t know how to hold the fishing rod. With a couple of failed attempts, you might not feel like fishing again, however, once you learn the art of fishing, it will be enjoyable. You will end up going fishing more often and even with your buddies to show them how much of a pro you are.

Take up your fishing rod, read closely, and you will be a fishing activity away from catching your next fish and becoming a professional fisherman.

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Table Of Contents

What Is The Right Way To Hold A Fishing Rod?

Step 1: Determine your dominant hand

Are you left or right-handed? This will determine how you will hold the fishing rod. You will use both hands, but the most active one will play a major role while fishing.

Step 2: Place the reel and dominant hand correctly

When fishing, the reel should always be pointing toward the ground. Therefore, once you have properly aligned your fishing rod, take your dominant hand, and split the ring finger & pinky finger between the arm of the reel (reel seat).

Placing your hand that way ensures your index finger is in a good position to manipulate the line. The thumb then goes behind since it will help you grip the reel when pulling out the spool.

Step 3: Place the other hand correctly.

The other non-dominant hand should be at the butt of the rod.  A comfortable grip on the rod will ensure you have full control during fishing.

Step 4: Other considerations

• Whenever you are fishing, ensure that your hands are in the correct position.
• Always hold the fishing rod against your body for better stability.
• Don’t interfere with the conventional reel.
• Choose the right rod for the kind of fishing you want to venture into.

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What are the Different Parts of a Fishing Rod?

The different parts of a fishing rod include:

1. Rod blank

The rod blank is the main component with all the attachments. Most rods are made of fiberglass, graphite, or both. The fiberglass material is most preferred to make the rods - as it makes fishing easy while holding it in  the right position.

2. Butt

The other part is the butt (bottom) of the rod. It protects and finishes the end of the rod and has the largest diameter area. It is often referred to as the fighting rod and is great when you have caught a large fish.

3. Handle

The other part is the handle which can be made of a variety of materials such as a molded piece of the rod or a synthetic material. Cork handles are lightweight and provide a great grip when wet. The cork material may differ based on the manufacturer.

4. Reel Seat

Another part is the reel seat which holds the reel to the rod for better transmission during fish striking. The real seat’s size, material, and position depend on the casting rod and reel types.

The line is often stored in the fishing reel and is secured firmly to the rod through the reel seat. Some fishing rods have seats while some don’t. However, if there is a reel seat, you will find it located near the handle.

5. Guides

The guides are made of different kinds of metal materials such as Hardloy, hialoy, stainless steel,  titanium wire, and aluminum oxide. The purpose of the part is to guide your fishing lines along the fishing rod. This reduces the chances of the line being tangled and ensures good vibrating transmission. The guides are kept securely in place by the windings which are mainly made of aluminium to prevent corrosion or easy wearing out.

6. The tip

It is the top of the rod blank which is the opposite end from the handle. The flexible nature of the tip makes it easy to know what’s happening in the water. Therefore, you can know whether you have caught a fish or not.

7. Ferrule

The ferrule is another part of the fishing rod that connects the two separate sides of the rod and reel. The joints are made from metal that helps prevent the wearing out of the end of the handle. If a spinning rod has a weak ferrule the whole rod can fall apart.

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What To Consider When Choosing A Fishing Rod

There are some considerations that you should make when choosing a fishing rod. You can even have a couple of fishing rods based on places you go to or fish you catch.

1. Type of rod

There are two types of rod variations; casting rods and spinning rods. The casting rods’ guides which are at the top have small rings where the fishing line is threaded while the spinning rods which are the most popular have guides positioned on the bottom facing down.

2. Length of the rod

The rod length is also a great factor to consider since it will determine how far you can cast. Also, if you will be carrying your rod, you need to choose a rod that will be most convenient. A shorter rod length is helpful for combat fishing since you will have to bend less.

3. Rod material

Fishing rods are made of graphite, fiberglass, or a composite. Graphite rods are lighter & stiffer, fiberglass is strong & durable while composite rods (a combination of the two) are lightweight and flexible.

4. Rod action

The rod action is the degree to which it bends. It can also be referred to as the speed of the rod.

• Fast-action rods are ideal for bottom-feeding species as it is more rigid. It is also still and allows you to feel slight vibrations on the line.
• The medium-action fishing rod bends near the middle.
• A slow-action rod bends closer to the butt.

5. Rod power

Rod power is the ability of a fishing rod to withstand pressure. Power ranges are ultra-heavy, ultra-light, and light power. The only limitation is that if a rod has a heavier power, it will not bend as much as one with less power which bends more.

Those with heavier power are ideal for fishing heavier species, while lighter power species are ideal for smaller species.

6. Rod Info

Also, check the information on the rods about the speed and power. You need to check all the information to know whether it is the perfect fishing rod for you.

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What To Consider Before Going For Fishing

If you are going out fishing, you need to be well-equipped to be successful in the venture. Fishing is an enjoyable activity, whether you want to capture fish or have fun with family and friends. However, you need to do thorough research to ensure that you fish in the right area.

1. Find a spot

The first step would be finding an ideal lake, river, or pond where you can go fishing. In most cases, fish come near the shore during spring and autumn, therefore, you can have high chances there. Most ideal paces are secluded spots around ponds.

Also, fishing at the coast on the ocean would be great but with the right license. However, before going fishing, try and find out whether you are allowed to fish at a particular spot.

2. Find out the fish found there

The next thing would be to find out what kind of fish are common there so that you can go with the right fishing rod. You can either research through some resources or ask around so that you can know what type of fish you can capture there. You can get bass, crappies, sunfish, bluegills, and catfish, who knows! You just have to go fishing.

3. Research on food the fish love eating

Before you go fishing, research to know the kind of food the fish take, you may buy food that won’t even help you catch any fish. Also, ensure you go with the right fishing rod that will help you succeed in your fishing.

4. Look for ideal fishing areas

Also, try and fish at places with moving currents or places where it is deep. Fish often go to shallow ends mostly to eat but most times, they are often in deep places. Also, many fish love going where there is food, so you can look for spots with reeds, rocks, etc. They are also great places to hide when threatened.

Also, you can look out for bubbles, splashes, or flocks of hungry birds, you might find fish there.

5. Go fishing at dawn or dusk

The best time to go fishing would be at dawn or dusk since this is the time, they mostly come out to eat. Your chances of catching fish would be high.  Also, try and look out for any safety warnings to ensure you don’t catch a fish that may pose a threat to your health.

However, if it is a designated area for fishing, don’t hesitate. Water pollution is what makes it hard to fish in all places.

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Prepare for your Next fishing venture

Holding the fishing rod correctly can help you catch the right fish easily. When choosing a fishing rod, consider the type of rod, rod length, rod material, rod action, rod power, and rod information. If you are new to fishing, you can start with freshwater lakes where you can easily capture your most preferred fish.

Also, leave at least a rod’s length of the line to make it easy to remove the hook when you capture a fish. Moreover, rig it right to ensure you have the right knots that mimic natural baits, and you can mimic that motion with the rod tip.

You can also change the location if you haven't caught fish for a while. Lastly, be patient while fishing. Today might not be your day, but tomorrow will be!

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