Rod ? from a newbie

[sota]

Guys,
Is there any way to tell by looking at a rod. If it is for spinning reel, conventional, or baitcast reels? Which rods are graphite or graphite/glass? Does graphite provide more feel for the bite? Is it a stronger rod over glass? I'd like to hear any information y'all can provide me.

I will mainly be fishing off pier and some boat fishing. I'm in the So. Cal area. L.A. to be exact. TIA

SOTA

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Guys,
Is there any way to tell by looking at a rod. If it is for spinning reel, conventional, or baitcast reels? Which rods are graphite or graphite/glass? Does graphite provide more feel for the bite? Is it a stronger rod over glass? I'd like to hear any information y'all can provide me.

I will mainly be fishing off pier and some boat fishing. I'm in the So. Cal area. L.A. to be exact. TIA

SOTA



yes, graphite is more sensitive...ID'ng, comming off the reel seat a spinning rods will have a large 1st guide that then taper down to the tip....a bait caster, like most conventional will have much smaller 1st guide comming off the reel seat that slightly taper on down to the tip....rod make, line weight and lure weight are usally imprinted on the rod in the area of the fore-grip....good rods are $$$ and should be as they are made wth better blanks, guides, seats and so on then some of the "X-Mart" specials, which are sometimes factory seconds....if your a novice to fishing, maybe one the the "rod & reel" combos sold thru BPS or Cabelas would suit you best....

[sota]

Randy,
Thanks for the information. I was at a store the other day and saw an Ugly Stik there. Someone said they are pretty good for a first rod. I checked out. I wasn't real impressed. It looks like plastic guides which might be ok. I just didn't like it.I think i'd rather spend a little bit more money and get some quality pieces. I'd hate to buy something only to be disappointed not long after getting it. For budget i'm thinking maybe around 200-300 bucks. Like to keep it closer to 200 bucks.

SOTA

[Randy Stinchcomb]

understand, now Ugly Sticks are not that bad...I have 4 that I use for "newbies" on my boat, just so they wont break a rod, so they are great for novices....now if you want "high-end" I use alot of St Croix, Allstar and Falcon but there are many other "higher-end" out there like Loomis, W&M and Kaos to name a few......Shimano makes a good rod as does Daiwa...just make sure you get the right rod n' reel combo for what your fishing for..... remember, you dont want to take a bat to a gun fight, samething wth fishing:)

[OspreyCustomFishingRods]

Sota,
Be glad to help you out with a rod purchase. Contact me here or thru my website : www.OspreyCustomFishingRods.com We make everything from light tackle inshore rods to big game trolling rods.
Thanks,
James