Graphite Vs Composite Fishing Rod

There is no doubt that the fishing rod is the most important tool of the fisherman’s equipment, since without it…there is no fishing!

All the other items and materials will move and adjust around it, but without the cane nothing would be the same.

If you are a beginner in the world of fishing, it can be a bit overwhelming to face for the first time the specifications and types of rods that exist.

That is why you will need to have some knowledge to be able to choose it properly.

In this post on our blog we want to share all the necessary information for you to go fishing and be successful in the attempt! Here we go…

Fabrication material

The characteristics that it has or not will depend largely on the material from which it is made. New technologies also came to this sport and the materials for its construction and design also improved. Some of the most common are:

• Natural: The first fishing rods were made with bamboo, a very versatile material. These rods are in disuse (except in some cases such as fly fishing) due to the maintenance they require and the entire artisanal process involved in making them.
• Fiberglass: Over time, fiberglass, either solid or hollow, began to be used for the most modern fishing rods. This strong, flexible, lightweight material that requires almost no maintenance, was a revolution in the market.
• Graphite: The cost is somewhat higher, but they stand out for their lightness and great resistance.
• Carbon fiber: This type of rod made of synthetic material is capable of supporting greater weights and giving them more or less flexibility according to tastes and interests. In addition to the fact that the total weight of the rods is reduced, they are highly recommended, especially when we talk about rods of considerable length.
• Kevlar: This is a very strong, yet very light resin that is making its way into the world of fishing rods. Its price is high.
• Composite: It consists of the mixture of materials such as fiberglass, graphite, kevlar…

Characteristic

The main characteristics to take into account when choosing are:

• Length: It is perhaps the most important thing to consider, since the length of the rod is what should allow you to make movements and casts comfortably.

To choose the appropriate length you must take into account the area where you are going to fish and the type of fishing you are going to do.

• Resistance: It is the capacity of the rod to fight against a fish. The rod must be resistant, but more resistance does not imply better results, as always, everything will depend on what, how and where you are going to fish. There are:

• Ultra light.

• light.

• Stockings.

• Heavy.

• Ultra-heavy.

• Weight: The weight of the rod is also important because you will have to carry it and use physical effort to cast. Therefore, it should not be an excessively heavy rod, but the optimal weight will depend on the type of fishing to be done.

• Action: This refers to the type of flexibility that the fishing rod presents. That is, the maximum weight that the rod can support at the time of casting, and therefore the curvature it generates. Exist:

1. Fast action or tip rods: These are bent at the tip and give a better fishing feel, but are less useful on long casts.
2. Medium action rods : They bend in the middle of the rod.
3. Slow or full action rods : They bend in their entire length and are more optimal in long casts.

• Memory: The action of fishing implies that the rod bends and loses its natural straight shape. The capacity and speed that the reed has to return to its natural state after flexing it is what is known as reed reaction or memory.

Important parts of a fishing rod

Knowing what are the main components to take into account before buying a fishing rod is an important task, because if you do not know what you have to look for, you will not be able to choose a rod that fits what you really want.

• Pointer: This is the tip of the rod, and it is one of the most important parts because its flexibility determines the action of the rod.

• Rings: Fishing rods are made up of multiple metal rings through which the fishing line passes and exerts friction. These help distribute the force of the fish along the rod when you are catching it.

• Handle or grip : It is where the rod is held. Its shape, size, and the material from which it is made will depend on the type of rod and fishing, but for example, cork or neoprene foam is used.

The lower part of the handle, known as the butt cap, is the end that you can press against your body when fighting a big fish and is usually made of rubber or cork to prevent injury.

• Reel seat: It is where the reel is attached to the rod and is usually metallic. Depending on the type of rod, the mechanism can be different, for example above perpendicularly in casting rods or hanging below or to the side for spinning rods.

• Ferrules: In the case of having a fishing rod divided into 2 or more parts, the ferrules are the joints where the sections of the rod fit together.

types of rods

Sea fishing rods

This type is specially designed for sea fishing, they are usually rods with greater resistance and power, since larger and heavier fish are found in the sea than in river fishing.

Sea rods are available in many different lengths, both telescopic and plug-in. This type of saltwater fishing rod encompasses many disciplines, whether for jigging, surfcasting, maritime spinning, trolling, etc.

Therefore, a sea rod is any one that is designed to be used in salt water. Having as main characteristics: the handle is usually made of synthetic foam, so that the saltpeter affects it as little as possible, the rings and pointers are made of stainless material and the diameter of the rods, depending on the style of fishing, are larger if we compare them to river fishing rods.

River fishing rods

This type of rods for fishing in river waters are different from those that we are used to seeing on the beaches of the sea coasts. The rods for trout or black bass fishing in rivers, swamps or reservoirs are usually those called for fly fishing or even for carp fishing.

The materials used in river rods are usually anatomical cork handles, since they do not have to fight with the salt that causes corrosion in the pieces.

They are shorter and more flexible rods for better handling and play with the fly line, used in flyfishing. Of course there are different ranges, with carbon fiber being the most recommended.

telescopic

When we talk about this type of fishing, we refer to those whose sections go one inside the other. One of the advantages of telescopic rods is that when they are folded they take up very little space, barely 1 meter long,

Once the rod is fully deployed it can even reach 9 meters in length. They are widely used in quaver fishing, and this system also makes the weight of the rod very low, especially in carbon fiber telescopic rods.

The telescopic rods can be used both in the sea and in the river, it simply comes with some small peculiarities depending on whether they are for continental or maritime waters.

pluggable

They are 2 or more sections plugged one inside the other, being removable rods in several sections, normally not more than three sections. These plug-in rods are widely used among fishermen who practice spinning, either at sea or river.

They are very practical in their transport, since their assembly is fast and very easy. You have to take care of the parts where the sections join so that their wear does not cause one section to dance within the other and they do not connect correctly.

surfcasting

This type of rods can be of the telescopic or plug-in type. Casting rods can have different hardnesses, their actions being varied, such as parabolic or semi-parabolic rods, giving greater or lesser flexibility to the tips of surfcasting rods.

Due to the tournaments of this type of fishing, rods specially designed for this type of task have come onto the market, the so-called competition surfcasting rods. With innovative designs, offering anglers more meters of casting. Although a three-section carbon fiber surfcasting rod is more than enough to give you great fishing days.

spinning

These types of rods are light and resistant. By definition, spinning involves casting and retrieving repeatedly throughout the day, so these rods have to be as light as possible, so that you can cast your rod as many times as possible without exhausting yourself.

These allow you to fish for hours and hours thanks to their light weight. With the advent of rockfishing in the sea or river, the weight and size of spinning rods have been reduced, it is undoubtedly a fun and vibrant style of fishing.

Normally they are plug-in rods with 2 sections not exceeding 2 meters in length, and can reach more than 3 if we use them from a boat. As always, carbon fiber spinning rods will be the best option if we want to buy a prestigious and reliable material.

trolling

Powerful, strong and resistant such are these types of rods for curry, trolling or popping, with pointer and roller rings, for tuna fishing and large sea predators.

These types of rods are ideal for deep sea fishing, with their pointers and roller rings they dissipate the friction of the line much better and makes it run better, facilitating battles on the high seas. They do not usually exceed 2 meters in length, made of high modulus carbon fiber to give it greater resistance.

casting

These rods are mainly used in inland fishing, they are ideal for black bass or catfish fishing. Its handles have a distinctive appearance, they have a trigger that allows and facilitates handling. Since in casting rods the reel is located in the upper part of the rod, unlike the typical fixed spool reels, which are located in the lower part.

They use horizontal spool reels, and with their trigger handles they make fishing with these rods remarkably different, if you are a fan of river water fishing you will surely have tried them, if not, we recommend that you try them, you will notice the difference.

Bolognese and coup

Also called without rings, bare pulse or quaver fishing, they are perfect for fishing from the pier or jetty, even for competition. These are usually quite considerable lengths, even being able to exceed 10 meters.

Bolognese rods, in addition to being used for sea fishing, are also used in swamps or rivers, their use being very widespread among carp fans.

Jigging from boat

Extreme fishing, with these jigging rods you will enjoy fishing like never before. They are special rods for anchored boats, they can be telescopic or pluggable, made of high modulus carbon fiber, they are strong and resistant rods, undoubtedly vibrant for anchored fishing from a boat.

Graphite Vs Composite Fishing Rod

Fishing rods are usually made of fiberglass, graphite, or composite (a mix of the two). Rod materials have a huge impact on performance, so knowing which one to choose will be of great importance to your fishing success. Now we show you the pros and cons of each type.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass rods are a good choice for new anglers because of their durability and low price.

Fiberglass fishing rods, the old standbys of the angling world, have been around for centuries. Strong and durable , these rods can really take a beating. They’re also easy to make, which makes them relatively affordable.

Due to their flexible nature, fiberglass shafts provide limited feedback and that makes lighter strikes much more difficult to detect. They are also relatively heavy , making them less ideal for fighting fish over a long period of time.

Graphite

Graphite shafts offer a lighter alternative to fiberglass shafts and are very sensitive to bite.

The best thing about graphite rods is that they are very sensitive to bites . This, along with the lighter weight, can make casting and overall handling a real joy.

But not all are advantages with these rods. Because they are stiffer, graphite shafts can also be much more brittle. Another drawback is the price, which is usually higher compared to a fiberglass rod in the same class.

Compound

Composite fishing rods are a great option if you are used to fishing in a variety of different waters. Although they are the most expensive type of rod.

If you’re the type of angler who wants performance above all else, fiberglass and graphite rods probably won’t fully satisfy you. This is where composite materials come in.

With a mix of graphite and fiberglass, composite fishing rods give you all the flexibility you need without adding a lot of weight or sacrificing sensitivity.

Unsurprisingly, composite reeds are the most expensive variety out there . There’s no denying that they bring the fish on board, it’s just a matter of whether the extra cost is worth it to you.