This month we discuss the hot topic of tackle, and the two main players are your rod and reel
For some reason, when it comes to tackle, anglers tend to focus on the reel – the rod is considered as an afterthought. Uppermost tends to be about the number of bearings, how smooth the drag is and the line capacity of the reel, yet, in reality, the reel plays a secondary role; it is the rod that is critical. Yes, the reel holds the line, but the rod is used for casting, working lures and, most importantly, it plays an essential role when actually battling the fish.
It’s not entirely the anglers’ fault because rods have also long been ignored by manufacturers that were obsessed with perfecting the reels. The good news is that things have finally changed and in the last few years the focus has shifted back to where it should be: on rods.
With a huge increase in R&D rods are now enjoying a corresponding injection in technology. The good solid glass rods with the action of a tree stump are gone and today it’s all about high-tech rods with crisp actions, no weight and amazing strength.
What we are seeing now are rods that are built for specific species, or a style of fishing. There are rods built just for popper fishing for GTs that are aggressive to help work the lure and are also extremely light but can still handle 50kg braid.
Then there is a stick bait rod designed for the same species with similar length, however, the action is much softer which allows you to bring the stick bait to life with a slower rolling action.
It is a similar situation when bait fishing for snapper. I once used heavy glass rods but they have been superseded by lightweight crisp graphite rods specifically built for snapper fishing. The tip section is light and sensitive, which makes it easier to cast light soft baits like pilchards without them ripping it off. The rod also acts like a shock absorber to prevent the fish from snapping the line on its first powerful runs.
Meanwhile, the stiffer butt section on the rod helps to bury the hooks and then assists to lift the fish back up towards the boat after the run. It seems every species has its own rod range these days – even squid!
There are rods for catching flathead on soft plastics, bream on hard-bodied lures and even monster Murray cod. Each one is designed with specific features to help work the fish better and in particular making fighting the fish easier.
The days of battling denizens of the deep for hours upon end have been cut down to mere minutes. Marlin is a classic example. I still remember catching fish on stiff long telegraph poles that was akin to being tortured. My first marlin took me three hours and weighed about 100kg. Today I can fish this size in a matter of minutes.
USE YOUR ROD
When it comes to playing a fish, a lot of anglers seem unclear as to what to do and about the exact role that the rod and reel play. Different rods are used to tackle different species in different situations. However, when it comes to actually fighting the fish, the technique used is surprisingly similar across the board irrespective of whether you are tackling a big marlin or a barra.
All anglers know how important it is to keep the pressure on when fighting a fish – give it slack line and the chances are it will throw the hook. Slack line accounts for way too many lost fish. Basically, the problem is anglers lift the rod and then drop it faster than they can wind, which results in slack line and the fish gets off.
Irrespective of what you are fighting, be it snapper or bream, the key is to keep constant pressure on the fish throughout the fight and the easiest way to do this is to keep the rod loaded up. When you lift the rod you are pulling the fish up towards the surface. Do it methodically, maintaining the arc in the rod; don’t jerk it or rush the procedure. Once you get the rod to about ten o’clock, stop, then slowly drop it, winding the handle in sync so that the curve in the rod is maintained at all times. This is one of the simplest and most important techniques that all anglers need to know and, most importantly, the modern rod is designed to help.
AN ISSUE OF LENGTH
The length of the rod also plays an important role in battling fish. The longer the rod the more strength that is required on behalf of the angler to use it when fighting a fish. The length factor is most obvious when tackling big fish. Game rods have struck down in size over the years and are now referred to as short-stroker rods. They have revolutionised stand-up game fishing and suddenly anglers are catching ever bigger fish in less and less time.
The trend with light tackle, both spin tackle and bait casters, has gone in completely the opposite direction and rods are now increasing in length. Unlike heavy tackle, where the long rod acted as a lever against the angler, in the world of light tackle it is a lot easier to handle and as a result a longer rod can be a huge advantage. Obviously, a longer rod makes it easier to cast, but it is also an important tool that can control the fish during the fight.
Buying a new outfit used to be simply a matter of wandering into a tackle store. Instead, these days you need to know what species you want to target so you can get the right rod for the job. I know it’s a bit more of a hassle going to a specialised tackle shop like Compleat Angler but I guarantee you will enjoy your fishing all the more with the right gear!
