Characteristics of spinning rods

In this article we will try to disclose in more detail such, at first glance, understandable topic, such as the characteristics of spinning rod. But here everything is not as simple as it seemed. In the parameters that they possess, much more information is hidden than it seems at the beginning. Below we will understand what such concepts as “test”, “stroi”, “fittings” mean, what types of spinning rods there are and how they are classified, and most importantly, for what those or others are needed from a practical point of view.

Let’s start with the most basic characteristics, those to which anglers pay attention in the first place.

Length

The length of the spinning rod. Currently, the main range of length is within 1.5 to 3.5 m. Long rods, from 2.4 m and more, are most often used in shore fishing, or in conditions where a long throw is required. But it should be taken into account the availability of the possibility of its realization. So, for example, on a forest river with heavily overgrown banks a long rod will be simply inconvenient to work.

Test

Test spinning – this is an indicator of the range of weights for throwing which a particular model is designed. So, for example, if the test is specified on the blank in 5-18 g, then the most comfortable weight of baits for this spinning rod will lie in this weight range. In this case, you should take into account not only the weight of the load-head used, but the entire rigging as a whole, adding the weight of the bait itself, hook, leash and other elements. This is especially noticeable when using light and ultralight rods.

According to the test parameter, all models of spinning rods are divided into classes, which conditionally look as follows:

• ultra-light class, UL (Ultralight), test up to 7 g;
• light class, L (Light), test up to 15 g;
• medium-lightclass, ML (Medium-light), test up to 21 g;
• medium class, M (Medium), test 7-28 g;
• medium-heavyclass, MH (Medium-heavy), test 10-32 g;
• heavy class, H (Heavy), up to 50 g;
• extra-heavy class, XH (ExtraHeavy), test over 50 g;

The realities of life show that this parameter is often underestimated or overestimated. This is most often the sin of “nameless” Chinese gear. However, you should never forget that exceeding the test can lead to rod breakage when throwing.

Stroi

The string of the rod is a characteristic of the stiffness of the blank at different parts of it. Depending on the stroi, spinning rods are either “coliform rapiers” or soft catapults, with many intermediate variants. All of them are divided into the following categories:

• extra-fast;
• fast;
• medium-fast;
• medium or moderate;
• slow;

Of which the fast rods are the stiffest and only the tip works under load. Such spinning rods are very good when you need the most accurate throwing. They do not require a strong swing, they can throw in tight spaces. Such blanks perfectly cut through the jaws of fish due to its rigidity, but worse hold it when fishing. Also such spinning rods are less long-range.

In turn, the rods with a structure closer to the medium or slow are softer and under load they work most of the blank. For throwing bait with their help requires a fairly open space, because you need a wide throw. They are more long-range and well “knit” the fish on the lure, but lose at the moment of hooking. In addition, such blanks are less sensitive.

Test of rods by fishing line

Test of fishing rods by fishing line. Recently, many manufacturers have begun to specify the so-called line test, which translates as “fishing line test”. It is usually denoted in libra (lb). This parameter implies the breaking load of the fishing line, under which the rod is designed in terms of survivability. In other words, if suddenly there is a bite of a big fish, and the friction is tightened tightly, the rod will not break under the load before the fishing line breaks. Or at a blind hook often fishermen tighten the friction and try to pull through the bait using the power resource of spinning. In this situation, correctly selected by the test (lb) fishing line will save you from buying a new rod.

Fittings

The next important characteristic of the spinning rod is the fittings. It consists of rings and a handle with a reel holder. The latter is located on the handle of the rod and is one of its most important elements. It is designed to hold the reel in a constant fixed position, made of metal or composite materials with the addition of graphite. The reel holder comes with a lower or upper nut, and there are also models of the “skeleton” type. And, of course, do not forget that the presence of a trigger (“trigger” in common parlance) indicates that this rod is designed to work in tandem with a multiplier reel.

As for the handle, it should be comfortable and warm in the hand – this is especially important when fishing in late fall or winter, when the thermometer often falls well below zero. The handles are made of cork or polyurethane foam material called EVA. The quality of both materials is usually directly proportional to the cost of the rod.

Rings

As for the rings, they bear a much heavier load. Their location and shape affect the performance of the blank under load and its dynamic characteristics, throwing distance. In addition, quality rings have not only the minimum weight with maximum strength characteristics, but also a special geometry that prevents overlaps of fishing line. The frames of modern rings are made of the lightest alloys of titanium or carbon, due to which the minimum possible weight is achieved without loss of strength. Inserts, on which the fishing line goes directly, are usually made of silicon carbide SiC. This is a very strong, wear-resistant material that does not cut monofilament fishing line or braided cord at all when using the spinning rod. However, it is quite fragile and afraid of shocks, as well as all elements of the rod.

Material

Let’s move on to the materials from which spinning rods are made. The very first, rare spinning rods have survived to our days since the Soviet Union and they are made of metal. Such artifacts now hardly anyone uses, and they are found only as museum pieces. From the merits of such spinning rods are characterized by their great strength and durability. The next round of evolution is fiberglass. This material is widespread and is most often found in spinning rods of the budget segment. Such rods weigh, of course, less than metal rods, but they are still heavy. Such spinning rods are usually very affordable, and unpretentiousness in handling makes them quite in demand, although their properties leave much to be desired.

The top of spinninngostroeniya firmly occupies carbon fiber – it is a modern and the highest quality material for fishing rods. It is both light and durable, has excellent sensitivity and transmits to the angler in the hand everything that happens at the other end of the cord. The only disadvantage of such blanks is their requirement for gentle and careful handling. They very much dislike shocks and often break, especially during transportation. Such rods differ in the modulus of graphite content. The higher the modulus, the stiffer, lighter and more resonant the spinning rod is, but it is also more fragile. If the modulus of graphite content is low, the rod will be softer and less sensitive, but more durable.

Features

And lastly, let’s note the design features. Spinning rods are single-part, two-part, multi-part, and telescopic. The best in terms of sensitivity are single-part rods. Because of their one-piece structure, they are deprived of the joint, on which there is a great loss in sensory. But such rods are inconvenient to transport. Telescopic variants are very compact, but at the same time they are the most “deaf”. Therefore, the most optimal and common is a two-part spinning rod.

We hope that this article will help you more meaningfully understand such an ambiguous and multifaceted concept as “Characteristics of spinning rods”.