How to choose a spinning rod for beginners?

Spinning is a fishing tackle, usually used for catching predatory fish. The main difference between spinning and other types of fishing rods is in throwing the bait into the water and its conduction.

The classic spinning consists of several parts: a rod with guide rings, reel and line. The main detail – the rod itself, it is from him depends on the success of fishing. In shape, the spinning rod is a strongly elongated long cone. The lower part, where the handle is located, is called the “stem”, the opposite part is the “tip”.

The most popular materials for spinning rods are carbon fiber, fiberglass, and metal.

Fishing as a hobby has dozens of varieties and subspecies. And all of them for maximum efficiency require a special approach to the choice of a fishing rod. Many novice anglers want to find a universal inexpensive spinning rod. How to choose a spinning rod for fishing? In this article, we will reveal the main characteristics of such rods to pick up a good spinning rod for fishing.

Universal spinning: myth or reality?

A beginner who has just begun to be interested in fishing with spinning, wants to pick up a universal fishing rod. It is quite logical, because at once it is difficult to determine what is more fascinating: hunting for trout or chub with ultralight baits, searching for a large trophy with a heavy jig, fishing from a boat or only from the shore. Understanding comes with time. And to begin with, you can stop your choice on a spinning rod with a length of 2.10 and 2.40 m and with a test in the range from 5 – 25 gr. Such parameters are the most universal. If you make a choice under more specific conditions, then the characteristics of spinning rods should be considered in more detail:

Material

Modern spinning rods are hollow inside. This is necessary to lighten the rod. Great strength allows to achieve modern materials: carbon fiber, fiberglass or their composition (mixture). Note that graphite, carbon and carbon fiberglass are different names for the same material.

Fiberglass. Spinning rods made of fiberglass are heavy and flexible, have a small modulus of elasticity. As a rule, these are inexpensive models that are unpretentious in maintenance. However, a significant mass is more appropriate in trolling, when throws do not need to be made so often.

Carbon fiberglass is a more common material. These spinning rods are lightweight, stiff and flexible. Pay attention to the modulus of graphite content. IM1 is the lowest value. It indicates that the blank will be very flexible, and its tip will oscillate as long as possible. Flexibility is good for damping the jerks of capricious, burrowing fish. High content of carbon fiber increases stiffness. But pure carbon fiber is fragile and requires careful handling. The values of IM5 and IM6 can be called the most universal.

Composite. The most optimal can be called a composite of these two materials. By combining the best qualities of carbon fiber and fiberglass, it is possible to achieve optimum rigidity and strength. By the way, to achieve the highest strength of spinning in the alloy is also sometimes added Kevlar. But here we are talking about heavy class spinning rods.

Test

The test of a spinning rod is the recommended weight of baits used when throwing this rod. In the Russian market, the test of the rod is specified in grams. Usually the minimum and maximum weight is determined. Of course, it is desirable to follow these recommendations. When using a lure of less weight, it is simply impossible to throw it effectively into the reservoir and feel it when wiring. Using more weight causes overloading of the rod, which in the worst case can lead to serious problems, up to the breakage of the rod.

Length

European spinning rod manufacturers measure the length of spinning rods in meters. U.S. manufacturers traditionally put the length in inches and feet.

Typically, the length of a fishing rod ranges from 160

to 360 centimeters. The longer the rod, the farther you can cast with it. But an increase in length inevitably entails an increase in weight and greater vulnerability. Long rods are preferable on large open waters. Short rods are lighter and more maneuverable, with their help it is convenient to catch on overgrown bushes on the banks of small rivers.

Initially, spinning rods were produced single-piece. But this entailed inconvenience in transportation, so there were two-part or multi-part spinning rods. With the development of new materials, telescopic rods became more and more common. Telescopic rods usually consist of 5-6 joints.

Stroi

A spinning rod’s structure in dynamics is the coefficient of Young’s modulus of elasticity. This modulus is determined by the time it takes for the rod to return to its original state after a throw. The sensitivity of the rod depends on this characteristic. The stiffer the spinning rod, the better all vibrations are transmitted to the angler’s hand. But with increasing rigidity, the range of throwing the bait decreases.

Let’s consider the most common classification of spinning rods:

1. Extra Fast (Extra Fast) – bends up to ¼ of the rod length.

2. Fast (Fast) – bends up to ½ length, “half” line.

3. Moderate – bends up to ¾ of the rod length.

4. Slow (Slow) – the rod bends the entire length, “parabolic” structure.

From the presented variants, the slow line gives the farthest throw. Moreover, spinning effectively softens the jerk of fish, and this reduces the load on the line and reel. A rod of the first type of structure, on the contrary, throws closer and worse mitigates dynamic jerks. The most common can be called the second and third type of structure.

Class of spinning rod

The class of spinning rod is a characteristic that directly depends on the spinning test.

Traditionally, there are 4 classes of spinning rods:

1. Ultra Light class (Ultra Light) – up to 7 gr. It is recommended to catch spinning trollers, light fluctuating trollers, microjigs and small wobblers. As a rule, ultralight involves catching fish weighing up to 2 kg. Usually catch small perch, trout, small pike on small reservoirs. The length of spinning is 150-210 cm, it is equipped with a thin line thickness of 0,08-0,18 mm.

2. Light class (Light) – 7-15 gr. It is possible to catch larger wobblers and blades. Here as a trophy is a fish up to 4-5 kg. The length of the rod is 200-250 cm, thin fishing line thickness up to 0.23 mm is used.

3. Medium (Medium) – 15-40 gr. For this line is optimal heavy spinning blades, wobblers, jig heads. You can catch larger and stronger fish – pike, pike-perch, zander, zherekh, small catfish, among the river trophies can be distinguished taimen and salmon weighing up to 6-7 kg. In the middle class, the length of the rod ranges from 240 to 330 cm, it is desirable to use a thicker fishing line – from 0.2 to 0.35 mm.

4. Heavy class (Heavy) – from 40 and more g. They are used for catching large specimens of pike, catfish, zander, as well as trophy sea fishing (cod, salmon). The most common wiring is trolling. Heavy class rods have the greatest strength. And they should be equipped with the strongest cord and reel.

Suggested place of fishing

An important role is also played by the water body where the tackle is supposed to be used.

Catching at sea, as well as in the northern and eastern regions of Russia requires the use of the most powerful and strong rods. The fish here are large, which means that the most durable tackle is required.

If you plan to fish from a boat on a large lake, backwater or reservoir, you also need a large rigid tackle. With it, there is a high probability to carry out effective wiring at great depths and strong wind.

If we are talking about a small river with overgrown banks, bet on a whip rod with a fast structure. So you will be able to throw the bait as accurately as possible and quickly react to the bite.

If you catch on the reservoir with a rubber boat, give preference to the length of 210 cm. This is the most optimal spinning for catching small fish (2-4 kg). If you intend to catch from a boat, you can use a longer spinning rod – up to 270 cm, because the boat is more stable on the water. For cramped fishing conditions (bushy shore), as well as for catching small fish (not more than 2 kg), it is better to use rods with a length of 160-180 cm.

Spinning rod slip rings

This is one of the most important parts of the spinning rod, despite the size. The task of the rings is not only to hold the cord, but also to provide the minimum friction to preserve the cord and the ring itself. If you notice that a groove has formed in the ring from constant friction, it should be replaced. In order to minimize this inconvenience, it is important to pay attention to the material of the rings.

Now all rings on spinning rods have a special insert made of high-strength materials. At first, ceramic inserts were used, but now they are replaced by inserts made of Alconite (black color) and SIC (gray color).

When buying a spinning rod, pay attention to how firmly the inserts are held in the passage rings, whether they do not turn. Ring fasteners should be rigid.

General recommendations

Summarizing, we can offer several optimal combinations of spinning characteristics for certain conditions:

• Catching large and medium-sized fish on a large river from the bank (channel width above 100 meters) – choose a rod length of 2.5-3 meters, Fast or Extra Fast, test from 7 to 30 gr. For such fishing jig heads with silicone baits, blades or wobblers weighing up to 28-30 gr are suitable.
• Catching small and medium fish on a small river (channel width up to 30 meters) – here you need a spinning 2-2.4 meters, Fast or Extra Fast, test from 1-5 to 4-16 gr. As baits are suitable for light trollers, jig heads and wobblers.
• Fishing from a boat on a body of water without current (lake, pond, backwater) – length 1.8-2.3 meters, Fast, Moderate or Extra Fast (depends on the selected weight of baits), test up to 20 gr.
• Fishing from a boat at great depths (reservoirs) – pay attention to spinning length of 2.1-2.5 meters, Extra Fast, test up to 35 gr. For this method of fishing choose jig heads and wobblers.

Spinning which company is better to choose depends on your personal preferences.

What to pay attention to?

So, you have determined what parameters of spinning for you are most important. Now let’s see how to choose the right spinning directly in the store.

• Carefully look at the spinning from all sides: it should not have cracks and other visible defects. The “stick” itself should be straight. The rings and the axle for the reel holder should converge in one line. The nut for the reel should turn easily. Pay attention to the quality of the rings: they should sit firmly, tightly, have no defects, the inner inserts should be smooth, do not turn.
• If possible, try to install the desired reel right in the store (it is not necessary to buy it). This is to make sure how well the mechanism works, whether the reel will not dangle when used.
• There may also be a question: what brand of spinning reel to choose? Determine this will help the sales consultant in the store, as well as the advice of an experienced angler. Familiarize yourself with information about different brands and brands can be found on numerous thematic forums and portals. Each brand has its own pricing policy, but judge the working qualities of spinning should not be judged only by its price.

Conclusions

• Universal spinning for beginners to cover the maximum range of catching: model from 2.10 and 2.40 m and with a test in the range from 5 – 25 gr.
• Material: carbon-based composite.
• Test: selected from the weight of the desired baits.
• Length depends on conditions. Overgrown banks and board fishing require smaller dimensions. Longer rods are needed for long throws when fishing wide, open water areas.
• Stroi: chosen depending on the desired throwing distance, potential prey and fishing conditions. The most common – fast and medium.
• Class of rod: is selected according to the size of the desired prey and the weight of baits.