Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature. From the laid back atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and the ability to spend some time in the great outdoors – fishing is the perfect pastime to escape hectic, everyday life.
But, if you want to try it out, you’ll need some equipment. One of the most important pieces of gear is a fishing rod! Perhaps one of the most important pieces of equipment – your fishing rod will ensure that you’ll be able to catch the fish…but, how do you use a fishing rod, exactly?
This is a question that we are here to help you answer. Sure, it can be easy enough to assume that all that is required to use a rod is to simply hold it firmly and attach the bait.
But the truth is that in order to get the most out of each and every fishing experience – you’re going to need to make sure you’re using the proper technique.
This is where we come in to lend a helping hand. Below, we are going to be talking you through how to effectively hold a fishing rod correctly, time and time again. So without further ado, whenever you’re ready – just read on!
What Is Grip A Fishing Rod?
Essentially, a fishing rod is a piece of equipment that consists of a long pole design that contains a handle at one end and a hook at the other end. Typically, the fishing rod will consist of two main parts, which are the reel and then the line.
When you cast your bait into the water, the rod will bend and the line will unwind itself from the reel. Then, when you get a catch and the fish bites down on the lure or bait, the line will tighten and pull the fish toward the boat.
Before you even think about fishing, you’re first going to want to make sure that you are choosing a good rod and reel combination – and this will greatly depend on the length of the rod that you use.
More often than not, the majority of rods currently on the market will fall anywhere between 6 and 8 feet in length, but there are some available that are longer.
The longer rods are used for larger fish like bass, while shorter ones are better suited for smaller game, such as cod and trout. You will also need to consider the weight, too. Usually, a heavier rod is more stable when casting but will be harder to cast with, while a lighter rod is easier to cast but not as stable.
You can buy an inexpensive rod at your local sporting goods store or order one online from a reputable company.
How To Cast A Fishing Rod
Step 1
To cast your fishing rod correctly, you should first begin by placing the tip of the rod in your palm. Then, once you have done this, grip the handle with your thumb and forefinger for optimum grip. Then, place your middle finger over the top of the rod.
Step 2
Once you are happy with your grip, proceed to raise the rod above your shoulder. Slowly lower the rod towards the water, then, as soon as you can feel resistance, release the rod to send it out into the water.
As a side note, you may find yourself losing your balance during this process for the first few attempts. Just remember to relax and focus on keeping your body still – you’ll get used to it!
Step 3
To ensure proper technique, we recommend that after you have made a few casts, you practice first by casting on dry land. When you feel ready, you can then begin to put your technique into practice and attempt casting directly into the body of water that you want to fish from.
How To Reel A Fishing Rod
Step 1
In order to use your rod correctly, you will first need to begin by placing the tip of the fishing rod into the palm of your hand. Ideally, the thumb should rest over the grip section of the rod. All the while, try to keep your fingers relaxed so that they don’t interfere with the rod. This goes for both casting and reeling.
Step 2
Once you have done this and you can feel that a fish has taken the bait, you can then go ahead and firmly grip the handle of the rod firmly with your index finger and middle finger.
Making sure that you are using your ring finger to wrap around the handle will keep you from losing your grip if your line snags on something or you encounter a particularly large fish! Keep your other hand free to help you reel in your catch.
Step 3
While reeling, it is key to remember that you are going to need to keep your wrist straight as can be, all the while making sure that your arm stays firm in one spot – the last thing that you want to do is swing your arm around.
Rather, while reeling in your catch, you should move your wrist up and down in a circular motion until you can feel a resistance. Once you can feel a resistance, slowly pull the line through until the hook comes off the end of the line.
Wrapping Up
So, there we have it! Now that you have taken the time to read through our guide to using a fishing rod, we’re hoping that you’re now feeling much more confident in your technique and are ready to put all that we have shared into practice!
As a final parting note, before you click off why don’t you bookmark this fishing rod guide? That way, if you ever needed to come back and refresh your knowledge on how to correctly use your fishing rod, you will know exactly where to find us. Thank you for reading, and happy fishing!
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