Choose your rod based on the fishing method, the species you’re targeting and the lures you use. Some of the most important features to consider are rod length, recommended lure weight, stiffness and action. Read more tips to help you choose the right rod.

A longer rod is ideal for long casts, while a shorter rod is easier to handle when fishing from a boat, for example. Read more tips to help you choose the right rod.

The recommended lure weight indicates the range of lure weights the rod is designed for. As a general rule, the lure should fall within the rod’s specified weight range to ensure the rod performs as intended.

A spinning rod is designed for a spinning reel, while a baitcasting rod is designed for a baitcasting reel. The main practical differences are:

• Reel position: With a spinning rod, the reel sits below the rod, so its weight hangs naturally beneath your hand. On a baitcasting rod, the reel sits on top, allowing your thumb to rest naturally on the spool or reel body for releasing the line and controlling the cast.
• Handle and trigger: A baitcasting rod has a trigger underneath the handle that provides support for your index finger. This gives you a secure grip when casting with one hand. A spinning rod has a smooth handle without a trigger.
• Rod guides: Line comes off a spinning reel in wide coils, which is why the first guide is considerably larger. Line leaves a baitcasting reel in a straighter path, allowing the guides to be smaller. Because the line runs above the blank on a baitcasting rod, the guides are spaced more closely together to prevent the line from pressing against the rod blank when the rod bends.

For perch fishing, a light and sensitive spinning rod that provides good contact with small lures and jigs is usually a good choice. The suitable lure weight rating depends on the weight of the lures you use and your fishing technique.

For zander fishing, choose a sensitive rod with enough stiffness. When jig fishing, good sensitivity helps you detect the lure’s movements and subtle bites. A stiffer rod also provides better power and control when setting the hook.

A pike rod needs to be powerful enough for the size and weight of the lures you use. Large pike lures require a heavier spinning rod or baitcasting rod with a lure weight rating that matches the lures you fish with.

A trolling rod is designed to withstand the continuous strain of trolling and the powerful runs of hooked fish. Choose a suitable trolling rod based on the species you’re targeting, the lures you use and your trolling method.