Rockfishing is a fun and exciting fishing technique that involves tracking different marine predators and rockfish in rocks and other rugged areas near the shore. To succeed in this specific type of fishing, the choice of a rod for rockfishing is crucial in terms of power, length and action characteristics. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you choose the right rod for your rockfishing needs.
Characteristics of a good rod for rockfishing
The key criteria to consider when choosing your rockfishing rod
1. Power: A rockfishing rod should be capable of casting light lures and extracting fish trapped in rocks. The recommended power range is between 3 and 15 grams. However, you should ensure that you can quickly control the fish during the fight so you do not become a spectator of your practice, ensuring your catch for sure.
2. Action : The action of the rod must be suitable for the types of lures used and the fishing conditions. A tip action (or fast) allows great responsiveness and is ideal for soft lures. A parabolic action (or regular) is better for swimmers and current conditions. This way, you will be better equipped to detect touches as well as allow the lure to provide all the technicality for which it was designed.
3. Size : The length of the fishing rod should allow precise casting and effective fish fighting, while being easy to transport and handle. Rockfishing specific rods usually measure between 2.10m and 3m. Surfcasting generally requires exceeding 2.50m to cast far and have an easy time animating at long distance.
Material choice for optimal performance
The choice of material for the fishing rod affects the equipment's performance during rockfishing sessions:
- High modulus carbon : High-quality carbon guarantees lightness, resonance, strength and fast action. This is the preferred material for high-end rods intended for rockfishing. The modernity of this carbon technology ensures to this day less stiff actions than a few years ago while offering at least equal levels of sensitivity.
- Glass fiber : Less effective than carbon, glass fiber nevertheless offers good shock resistance and can be a good choice for entry or mid-range rods for beginner fishermen. It will also give a more flexible action, which can be a great help when discretion is required when the fish catches your bait in its mouth.
There are also rods that can make the two actions coexist. This often presents itself with a glass fiber tip to ensure unsuspectingly suction on the part of the fish and the rest in carbon for good sensitivity and control of your fight.
The types of fishing rods for rockfishing
There are several categories of rods suitable for rockfishing, depending on your fishing preferences and level of experience.
Spinning or casting rods for rockfishing?
Spinning rods are most commonly used for rockfishing, thanks to their versatility and ease of use when you need to cast far. They allow control over a variety of techniques with a single rod.
Experienced fishermen can also turn to casting rods to practice rockfishing. The evolution of reels in particular allows for easy maneuvering and casting of small lures these days. Moving to casting for rockfishing will offer the same advantages as baitfiness in fresh water. This will be particularly action speed and precision.
Telescopic rods, a choice that can be wise
Telescopic rods, on the other hand, are appreciated for their practical and compact nature, thus facilitating transport and storage.
However, their performance is often less than that of spinning or casting rods. They are suitable for fishermen who prioritize mobility and simplicity during their rockfishing outings. They are primarily intended for travel.
Discover all our rods for rockfishing
The best fishing rod brands for rockfishing
Even if there are no exclusive brands for fishing rods dedicated to rockfishing, some stand out due to the quality of their material and technical expertise:
Each of these brands offers a varied range of fishing rods suitable for rockfishing, from beginner to advanced fishermen. Do not hesitate to compare the different models and find out about their specific characteristics to find the perfect rod for your shoreline fishing sessions. You'll find them at all price points, suitable for expert fishermen as well as novice practitioners.
The importance of budget in choosing a rod for rockfishing
Although price is not always synonymous with quality, it is clear that a more expensive fishing rod is usually made up of higher performing materials and technologies. The budget allocated to the purchase of a new rod must be in line with your expectations in terms of performance, but also with your level of practice.
Beginning fishermen can opt for entry or mid-range models to learn rockfishing techniques without investing too much. On the other hand, more experienced fishermen will benefit from selecting a high-end rod that meets their standards in terms of sensation and precision.
Some high-end models
- The Spinning Rod Golden Mean Aria 68 S Rule The Game, starting on the Aria 68 S will allow you to practice in the best conditions. Indeed, the brand as usual offers us an ultra-light tip, ready to rise to all the challenges of rockfishing. It benefits from Japanese know-how in this field, guaranteeing the best there is. With this rod, you will have complete control over your casts, your animations, and you will feel comfortable during the fighting phases with the fish. A choice for serious fishermen who simply want the best.
- The Spinning Rod Evergreen Salty Sensation Neo, being one of the latest gems from the Japanese at Evergreen, the Salty Sensation Neo is a gem of technology. Especially designed for rockfishing, you can rely on two models 2.34 meters and 2.49 meters long. These lengths will ensure you can project your lures at great distances, while maintaining good sensations during the animation, the fight with the fish, and the bites. A wise choice, for the most demanding fishermen.
Some entry-level models
- The Spinning Rod Savage Gear SGS2 Light Game, the SG2S represent the variant of the Savage Gear range specially designed for sea fishing. This Light Game version is specially adapted for fishing small rockfish, but they retain the necessary power reserve to control marine fish. The choice of versatility, with its contained price it will offer great performance to any fisherman wishing to embark on the adventure.
- The Spinning Rod Daiwa Legalis Rockfishing BF, its affordable price will allow you to quickly indulge in this technique at a lower cost. However, this doesn't mean it's a mediocre quality rod, but a choice model that will help you get started, whether from ports or breakwaters. You will also be pleasantly surprised by its ability to detect touches and make you feel them. An excellent choice that benefits from the advances of one of the biggest fishing brands.
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