How to choose your first fishing rod

The fishing rod, the cornerstone of all angling equipment, has come a long way since its primitive origins. Today, the fishing rod industry is driven by species- and technique-specific designs to meet the diverse needs of anglers. All that rod lingo can be confusing for many. Here’s all you need to know about choosing a new fishing rod.

Choose your material

Graphite: The most common material for modern rods. These rods are light and highly sensitive — great for precision fishing. Graphite costs more than fibreglass and is more prone to breaking.

Fibreglass: Durable and affordable, fibreglass rods are heavier and less sensitive than graphite. They excel for trolling, set lines for carp and catfish, and for anglers seeking robust equipment.

Spinning vs baitcasting

Spinning rods are designed for spinning reels mounted under the rod blank. Baitcasting rods usually have a trigger and are designed for casting reels mounted on top of the rod blank. New anglers or those looking for a general multispecies rod should go spinning.

What the label means

• UL (ultra-light)
• L (light)
• ML (medium-light)
• M (medium)
• MH (medium-heavy)
• H (heavy)
• XH (extra-heavy)
• XXH (extra extra-heavy)

Fast: Action refers to how quickly a rod returns to its natural position after a load is removed, though manufacturers often label it based on where the rod bends. They are labelled like this:

• F (Fast) Bends near the upper third of the rod.
• XF (Extra-Fast): Bends close to the tip.
• MF (Moderate-Fast): Bends slightly further down.
• M (Moderate): Bends halfway down.
• S (Slow): Bends near the butt.

A slower rod bends closer to the butt and feels whippy. A fast rod feels stiffer. Each action is better for certain fishing presentations.

Grips

Grips can be made of cork, composite, or rubber materials. The choice between split-grip and full-grip designs is primarily personal or aesthetic.

Pieces

One-piece rods offer maximum strength and sensitivity, while rods that break into multiple segments offer convenient storage and transport. It’s hard to go wrong with a 2-piece starter rod.

By species

Our picks for your first rod, not counting float, trolling, and fly rods, and with general fishing (not technique-specific) tactics in mind.

• Panfish: Graphite spinning rod, 7′-L-XF
• Lake trout: Graphite spinning rod, 8′-MH-M
• Walleye: Graphite spinning rod, 7′-M-F
• Bass: Graphite spinning rod, 7′-M-M
• Pike: Graphite spinning rod, 8′-H-F
• Brook trout: Graphite spinning rod, 7′-ML-F

Originally published in Ontario OUT of DOORS’ Fishing Annual 2025

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