Spinning Rods
Spinning rods come in all lengths, tapers, and prices, and can be used for a wide range of fishing, some are very specialized. An average spinning rod is six to seven feet long but ultralight models can be much shorter, and those suitable for surf-fishing can be well over twelve feet long.
FIGURE 4-3
Spinning rods.
Spinning Rod Quality
Spinning rods range from cheap toys to very expensive tournament tools. They can be made from solid fiberglass to the finest types of graphite. Guides range from simple metal rings to expensive ceramic guides that ensure line will not be damaged. The finish on them can be a smooth, shiny surface that will hold up for years or uncoated fiberglass.
Look for a rod that's straight when you hold it horizontal to the floor, with no curves or other flaws. It should be light enough to hold comfortably, and balanced so the tip is slightly heavier to offset the weight of the reel. The surface should be smooth and blemish free, and there should not be any rough places on it where the guides are attached.
The Reel Seat on a Spinning Rod
The reel seat on a spinning rod is important because you hold the rod at it and your fingers wrap around it. Many reel seats on spinning rods have a cushion on them to make it easier to hold for long periods of time. With or without a cushion, the reel seat should be smooth and have no edges or protrusions that will hurt your hand when holding it a long time.
Spinning reels can have the following types of reel seats.
Clamp and foot: A lever lifts up to release a foot that holds the reel seat and clamps down to lock it in place.
Screw and foot: A screw goes through the rod handle and tightens a foot on the other side to hold the reel seat.
Screw ring: A ring is threaded around the handle and screws a foot to move it down a slot to grip the reel seat.
Sliding sleeve: A sleeve around the rod slides down to clamp the reel seat in place.
Slip ring: A sliding ring goes over each end of the reel seat and wedges it in place.
Tennessee handle: No seat at all; you tape the reel to the rod handle.
All of these reel seats will do the job but the ones that have sleeves covering the reel foot will be easier on your hand. The more simple ones are less likely to cause problems and malfunction, and some are much heavier than others. Just make sure the one you choose moves freely and holds the reel securely in a straight line with the guides.
Guides on a Spinning Rod
Guides should be spaced evenly and the one nearest the reel handle should be very large. They should get progressively smaller to the tip. The guides should also be made with hard materials like titanium or have a ceramic insert in them. Look for information about the guides on the rod or on its tag.
Line comes off spinning reels in big loops and a bigger guide at the handle helps control the loop and feed it smoothly through the other guides. The first guide makes the loop smaller and the second guide tames it even more.
The wrap on spinning rod guides should be tight and smooth. The threads should be wrapped so tightly together that you need a magnifying glass to see the individual wraps. Guides may have a foot on each side or just one foot. With either kind there should be no space between the guide foot and the rod.
