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Match your equipment to the conditions. For example, if your in a river system where trees overhang off the bank several yards you may be inclined to use a shorter rod for casting accuracy. But remember you give up some hook setting power when you do this. So to offset this sometimes I use Spider Wire (braided line), which has zero stretch, to get back the hook setting power I lost by going with a shorter rod. If your in open water, such as lakes or ponds, for the most part all your concerned with is grass and wind. On a windy day you can either use lures on the heavier side or a rod that has a fast tip to help get the cast out there. When fishing in or around grass just be sure your equipment (rod and line) is adequate enough to get the fish out of the cover once you get him on.
Match your equipment to your lures. The rods that most tournament anglers use generally range from 5 ½' to 7 ½' long and most are made from fiberglass, graphite or a combination of both. Fiberglass rods are very flexible and graphite rods tend to be on the stiffer side. All rods are categorized as either, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy or heavy. The longer the rod the better hook setting power you have. The length of the rod used is usually personal preference for comfort. (except for special conditions as stated above) The type of rod used should be based on the lure you plan on using. For example, rods that are in the light to medium range are generally used for top water, shallow running crank baits to deep running crank baits the rods that are in the medium to medium heavy range would be used for soft plastics, spinner baits, jigging spoons, buzz baits, etc. and rods in the heavy range are mostly used for flipping in very heavy cover.
Your rod and reel should be properly balanced. Most people don't realize that having a balanced rod and reel makes a tremendous difference on your arms at the end of a full day of fishing. To see if your equipment is balanced, take your rod and reel combo, set it on your index finger directly above the reel (within 1 or 2 inches), if your outfit is balanced it will stay in the horizontal position. If not, it will teeter to one end or the other. Bass Pro Shops sell kits called Weight Balance Kits that contain an assortment of different sized and weighted rings along with a rubber housing. You put the correct number of weighted rings in the housing to balance your particular rod and reel combo and slide it onto the end of the rod. Or you can use the Bubba method, Duct Tape and Washers.
Either way works and it does make a difference.
Don't forget the reel? There are an unbelievable number of spinning reels and bait casting reels on the market these days. Which one should you use? Once again, it's usually personal preference. But there are certain situations that would dictate when it would be better to use one over the other. Such as down sizing to lure that are on the small side, you would be inclined to go with spinning outfit which lets you cast the small lures much easier or perhaps fishing for that bedding Bass a spinning combo would let you present your soft plastics with ease. Reels come in several shapes, sizes, are made from many different materials and range in price from $30 to $300. Shop and look around when purchasing your reels. Recently I was out looking to purchase a couple of new reels. I had already made up my mind to get these two particular reels that were $69.95 ea. Normally I never look at the rod and reel combo's that a store has to offer, but this time there was a big row of them that caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, this combo had the exact same reel I was about to purchase with a rod priced at $34.95 ea. I didn't care for the rod but that made the reels half price. Most tournament fishermen will carry from 10 to 20 rod and reels with them, so every savings adds up. The exterior of bait casting reels are made of plastic, graphite or aluminum. The one thing to keep in mind is that aluminum is much more durable but in the winter it's very cold.
Until next time, GOOD FISHIN!!
Allen
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