Saltwater Rods and Reels

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A good saltwater rod and reel is the foundation for successful saltwater fishing.

When purchasing saltwater rods and reels, consider the length, power and action you need. Longer rods cast farther and shorter rods provide more power for fighting fish. Action is rated from fast to slow for a rod that bends all the way to the handle. Power is the weight that the rod can lift from light to heavy duty. Rods are also categorized by the pound test line or low rate that they are designed to work with.

Most saltwater fishing rods are made of graphite or fiberglass. Graphite rods are stiffer and more sensitive while fiberglass rods are tougher and more powerful. Saltwater fishing reels are classified as high speed or low speed.

Another quality to consider when picking out a reel line is line capacity, which is usually marked on the body of the reel and feeder yards per pound test of line. Drag pressure is measured in pounds and should be adjusted to one-third the breaking strength of the line. To pick the right rod for the type of saltwater fishing, look at the recommended lower weight and match it to the size bait or lure you intend to use.

Spinning gear uses a spinning reel with a fixed spool that is mounted below the spinning rod. The spool of the spinning reel is stationary and is more difficult for the angler to tangle the line when casting. Many anglers before spinning rods for working lures such as top water poppers and high-speed plugs. Spinning reels can cast lighter saltwater lures.

To fish with a spinning reel, hold the rod and reel in your dominant hand and crank the handle with the other hand. If the spinning reel suffers from loops called wind knots when the line is twisted you can solve it by adding a small swivel between the line and the leader.

A baitcasting reel has a revolving spool and sits on top of the bait casting rod, which has smaller eyes and a spinning rod. These work well where long casts or big baits are necessary. A potential issue is in casting and the spool is turning faster than the line is leaving the rod and backs up as this is called a bird’s nest. To slow your cast, you need to learn to use your thumb to slow the speed of the spool.

Fishing with metal jigs is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but in recent years the Methodist taken on a new life with the invention of vertical and rubber jigs. Vertical jigging uses high-speed rods to retrieve a streamlined metal lure at top speeds . Rubber jigs are designed to balance slowly and hover off the bottom. Vertical jigging requires high-speed reels and can hold hundreds of yards of braided line. Rubber jigs, are designed to move slowly and hover over their target.