More and more people are taking up angling each year and it has become one of the most popular participatory sports in the world. For those new to the hobby, 2 obvious questions are paramount: what sort of fishing do I want to do? Does it cost much to start? The learner can only answer the first question for himself; the answer to the second is that cost need not be a barrier; short of tying a bent pin to a piece of string, and the string to a length of wood, the basic requirement is for a fishing rod.

Fishing Rods For The Beginner

Lake and river fishing are usually where most learner fishermen (and women) begin to learn the joy of fishing, the relaxing ambience allowing them to practice their new craft before moving into the more difficult skills needed by fly or sea fishing is attempted. The most essential piece of tackle is, simply, the fishing rod. As with most new sports it makes some sense not to spend big bucks on a state-of-the-art, all-singing, all-dancing rod until you are sure that you like your new hobby and want to get more serious about it. It does however, make sense to buy a ‘known brand’ (such as Shakespeare). Start with a low-cost model and when you are sure that fishing is for you, upgrade to a model more suited to your advancing skills.

A spinning rod is ideal for freshwater fishing and should 5 to 6 feet long. Although rods are generally made of either bamboo, fiberglass, or graphite, consensus suggests graphite as it tends to be stronger, light, and more reactive. There are many well-known fishing rod manufacturers (Shakespeare, Shimano, St Croix, and many more) but for the beginner, one of the most popular starter kits is The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Spinning Rod and Reel Combo.

This particular piece of fishing kit comes with the neat advantage for the learner: a rod with a reel supplied which cuts costs and avoids the need to have to decide on a reel to select from a vast choice available. Popular opinion has it that the extensive Shakespeare Ugly Stik range in general, can help you land fish a lot larger than the pricing suggests.

You can look forward to a whole new world of hours of enjoyment, whichever rod you choose.