Types of Fishing Rods commonly used

What fishing style do you use, how often and where do you fish, what species you are after identified a right rod that is suited to the kind of fishing you want to do. There are several unique characteristics that affect rod performance and used to define rod uses: power, action, length and number of pieces, material, line weight and lure weight. Understanding those characteristics helps to choose the right rod that are light, sensitive, and powerful, suitable for specific fishing situations.
    There are almost as many types of fishing rods are there are types of game fish. The best way of selecting a fishing rod is to know first the type of fish that you would be fishing for so that you can easily eliminate the other varieties and select the rod that suits your choice of fish best. Also you have to know what types of fishing you might want to consider: inshore fishing, offshore fishing, surf fishing or pier fishing. To be sure you're getting the right rod for the techniques you use; you should check the rod's descriptions and buy the best rod you can find based on your needs. A good rod will help and a poor rod will hurt your fishing ability.
    There is no one best, lightest and most powerful rod, every season manufacturers create new, lighter, cheaper, stronger and more durable rods. Even the worst of the modern rods has far better quality than the rods made 10 - 15 years ago. And rods that are now considered so-so where top of line just 5 years ago. That's why every real fisherman is a collector who collects lots of rods and tackles and is always looking to buy new better rods and retire the old even if still good ones into his stash of used rods. Nothing makes a fisherman's heart beat faster than winning a fight against a big heavy fish with a new very light rod he just obtained.
    A good rod will allow you to place your bait or lure exactly where you want it, present it as quietly as possible, helps for better line and lure control, during fish fighting, to feel even the smallest unthinkable bites and much more of what's going on with your bait.

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Carbon fiber pole rods

These high-tech poles are commonly used for coarse fishing in Europe, they are made of Graphite carbon fiber. Varying in length from 3 meters through to the longest at about 18.5 meters, they allow very precise positioning of the bait, which in turn enables huge catches of fish with accurate feeding.
    Telescopic poles are flexible and very light. They are very long rods, with no eyes and no reel. The line is attached to the pole via a connector or to a length of elastic with a connector attached to it. The elastic is placed inside the pole and acts as a shock absorber, which helps it compensate for fish of all sizes. The real beauty of the Pole comes into play when match fishing. You are able to concentrate ground baits in very small areas of water and be able to fish the outside of your feed area, over your feed area, above your feed area etc. with the utmost accuracy.
    Pole Fishing is an art form; it's more productive in Match fishing and more fun. You can't even imagine the fun you have when gently moving the pole against the fish to strike, to reach the pole behind you, to swing the fish to your hand, unhook, re-bait and place the pole back in the water ready for the next fish. If you Pole fish only once you will be hooked forever and will never fish any other way again.
    While poles made of Graphite high modulus Carbon are very delicate and easy to use, they must still be handled with great care and knowledge. The latest Graphite Carbon Fiber technology used in rod construction makes them extremely light, durable and flexible, extremely sensitive and at the same time stiff. This allows casting fugue, feel every movement and strike of the fish and fighting the biggest of fish with the lightest of tackle. You can never get this feeling and performance from rods made out of bamboo.

Daiwa Mountain Stream Pole Rods

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Hera rods

Hera rod is the most powerful type of pole rod series. "Hera = Herabuna (Carassius cuvieri)", one of the Japanese Crucian Carp, which are hard fighting fish. Tightly plied high modulus graphite blanks endure even the unthinkable hit of carp. This great rod is very popular and used at natural lakes, ponds, and rivers for all kinds of fish. It is finished with chic Japanese traditional "Hera" rod style, known as "Intermediate painting".
    Hera fishing rods are composed of materials, such as natural bamboo and fiber reinforced resin. Hera rods are composed of a plurality of connected rod blanks as one long fishing rod in a put-over joint manner or a spigot joint manner. The intermediate rod includes a main layer, a weight layer laminated in a certain range in the axial direction as an outer periphery layer of the main layer, and a coating layer laminated on or above the outer periphery of these main layer and weight layer.
    The main layer is a layer composed of a laminated prepreg material. Tape-shaped and sheet-shaped prepreg materials in which carbon fiber is impregnated with an epoxy resin can be used as the laminated prepreg material(s). In the tape-shaped prepreg material, the carbon fiber is oriented in the circumferential direction or in the direction that extends at a certain angle relative to the circumferential direction. In the sheet-shaped prepreg material, carbon fiber is oriented in the axial direction.
    The weight layer is composed of a prepreg material with high specific gravity, the material in which metal powder such as tungsten is mixed additionally with glass scrim impregnated with an epoxy resin. This prepreg material with high specific gravity has an extent of 500 to 600 g/mm2, and of thickness of 0.100 to 0.150 mm. This material is laminated on the aforementioned main layer in a prescribed axial location. The coating layer is formed by applying a synthetic resin coating material, such as epoxy resin and urethane resin. The stepped difference between the main layer and the weight layer is canceled by this coating layer.
    This material may not be the cheapest but it's the most consistent, gap-free prepreg material available and the price premium for its exceptional quality is more than reasonable. Those rods are lightweight and incredibly strong, thanks to a third generation of medium-high-modulus and high strain-rate graphite. Here is an incomplete list of features of these rods:

These features produce a Rod which has Power, Accuracy in Casting, Light Weight, and Exceptional Sensitivity.

Daiwa Hera Rods

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Fly Rods

Fly Fishing rods are very thin and flexible; they designed to cast an artificial fly, usually consisting of a hook tied with fur, feathers, foam, or other lightweight material. Some modern flies are also tied with synthetic materials. Most modern fly rods are constructed from fiberglass, carbon/graphite composites. Instead of a weighted lure, a fly rod uses the weight of the fly line for casting, and lightweight rods are capable of casting the very smallest and lightest fly. A monofilament segment called a "leader" is tied to the fly line on one end and the fly on the other.
    Each rod is sized to the fish being sought, the wind and water conditions and also to a particular weight of line: larger and heavier line sizes will cast heavier, larger flies. Fly rods come in a wide variety of line sizes, from size #000 to #0 rods for the smallest freshwater trout and pan fish up to and including #16 rods for large saltwater game fish. Fly rods tend to have a single, large-diameter line guide (stripping guide), with a number of smaller looped guides (snake guides) spaced along the rod to help control the movement of the relatively thick fly line. To prevent interference with casting movements, most fly rods usually have little or no butt section (handle) extending below the fishing reel.
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Tenkara Rods

Tenkara rods are a type of fly rod used for traditional type of fly fishing practiced in Japan, which uses only a rod, line and fly. Tenkara rods are mixtures of the carbon rods (including cane poles or hera rods), fly rods, and telescopic rods all in one. These are ultra-light and very portable telescopic rods usually extend from 10-15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters), but their length could be 18ft or more.

An action may be Ultra Light, Light, Medium Light or Medium. The reason for action rating is because there are big and small species. The rod action should be chosen based on the angler's favorite for a softer (Ultra Light - 5:5) or slightly stiffer (6:4 or 7:3) or the stiffest (Medium - 8:2) rod. The original tenkara rods were not split bamboo but rather sections of whole bamboo. Several different types of bamboo were used in each rod. The modern Tenkara rod is a 10' to 18' telescoping graphite rod. They are very light and supple. The line is fixed to the tip and there is no reel. Tenkara rods have cork, and sometimes even wooden handles, that make them similar to western fly-rods. With wooden handles (such as red-pine, and phoenix-tree wood) their sensitivity to fish bites increased tremendously and the heavier feel helps balance the rods. Tenkara rods don't use reel and don't have guides. Tenkara is a fixed-line fishing method, where the line is attached directly to the tip of the rod using a girth hitch (cow hitch).
    The traditional tenkara line has a loop of braided line at its thicker end, a stopper knot, which will hold the cow hitch in place. The tippet is attached to the end of the tenkara line. It is the thin line that goes between the tenkara line and the fly. It allows the angler to connect the fly to the line, and prevents the fish from seeing a thicker line on the water. The tenkara furled line is made to cast in perfect balance with tenkara rods - with power and precision and very delicate presentation. The furled line used in tenkara fishing is very supple for minimized drag and memory, and for smooth casting. They also stretch about 10% to protect your rod and tippet when hooking a slightly larger fish. They do not absorb water for feather-like landing, and to prevent water from spraying on the streams surface, thus not spooking fish. The total line length should be about 1 - 2 ft longer than the rod.
    Tenkara rods are very similar to Hera rods, carbon pole rods. They all are very portable, ultra-light, long telescopic fishing rods with the line that is attached to the tip of the rod, as opposed to a running line used with a reel. They are very flexible with extra sensitivity and soft action. They are very simple to use, and biggest advantages using them are that you are able to concentrate baits or flies in very small areas of water, especially when fishing in small streams. The other advantages of using the long Tenkara rods, Hera rods or carbon pole rods are primarily the lightness and delicate presentation. Like the carbon rods or hera rods this allows for very precise positioning of the fly with accurate feeding, which in turn enables huge catches of fish. Fixed-line fishing methods allow for a lot of control over the line and hook. Just few elements between you and the fish, along with the sensitive rod, will transmit even the smallest vibrations directly to your hands.
    The main difference between Tenkara rods, Hera rods and carbon pole rods is the casting technique involved in Tenkara fishing and using the line to cast the weigh-less fly forward while a weight and/or pole float (bobber) to place the bait in place in cane pole fishing or Hera fishing. Also the long Tenkara rod allows for precise placement of the fly on small pools and allows for holding the light line off the water and a fly in place on the other side of a current, great control for manipulation of the fly. Carbon poles and Hera rods allow very precise positioning of the bait with accurate feeding, that you are able to fish the outside, over or above your feeding area with the utmost accuracy. The line could be attached to the pole via a connector or to a length of elastic with a connector attached to it.
    Cane poles are much stiffer than a tenkara rod and make casting a light line almost impossible and casting a heavier line is a heavy job that would also defeat the purpose of the delicate presentations which make tenkara a very effective style of fly-fishing.
    The softer carbon rods or the crappie rods are "whippy" at the tip and the inability for the rod tip to stop quickly inevitably dampens the energy transfer from rod tip to line, and the line will not roll out. They are also heavier than a tenkara rod. The grip found in a tenkara rod is also made possible by its thinner diameter and it helps balance the tenkara rod and makes it more comfortable for hours of casting.
    Hera rods are the closest to tenkara rods by stiffness / softness, light weight, very thin diameter and great balance.
    Primarily used for small stream trout fishing, tenkara is one of the most popular methods of angling among fresh-water fisherman in Japan. It is particularly effective for fishing pocket water and faster flowing streams. Some of the main advantages are its elegant simplicity, the very delicate presentations with the light line, the ability to hold the line off the water and a fly in place on the other side of a current, precise casting, and greater control of the fly.
    Landing a fish is similar to any type of fishing, where the angler simply raises the rod up to bring the fish closer and reaches for the fish. The longer the line the more challenging it will be to land a fish. Fighting the large fish may very enjoyable and require some skill level. With a larger fish the angler will need to follow the fish, moving the rod along, with patience and awareness.

Daiwa Tenkara Rods ML action
Daiwa Tenkara Rods UL action

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Tenkara Universal Rods

Tenkara fishing has become very popular around the world in the last few years. Much of the credit for this popularity must be given to their simplicity, accuracy in casting and their light-weight construction which enable going to the stream with only a rod, furled or level line, a spool of tippet, a small box of favorite flies, a pair of nippers and a small landing net. Tenkara rods are extremely simple to set up, lines are attached either by a slip knot or hitch to the lillian string that extends from the tip of the Tenkara rod, and tippets are attached to the end of the Tenkara line.
    Universal Tenkara rods are the most powerful type of Tenkara rod series. They feature the best characteristics combining the power and strength of Hera rods and extreme flexibility and sensitivity of Carbon Pole rods with the supreme casting ability, exceptional fighting capabilities and the simplicity of Tenkara rods. They are truly universal rods making it quite possible to win a hardest fight with even the biggest monster. Catching big fish with the Tenkara Universal rod is challenging and much fun.

    Tenkara Universal Rods are the latest revolution for most Tenkara fly fisherman. Longer and more powerful than traditional Tenkara rods, Universal rods allow anglers to cast farther, mend easier, and better control a drifting fly and as a result help catch more fish. They're the same as traditional Tenkara rods are very easy to use. With a couple basic casts, you can land a big fish such as Steelhead Trout, Atlantic Salmon, or even big Striped Bass. If you love Tenkara fishing and want to take it to the next level, for larger fish, the Universal Tenkara rod is that next step. Once you start, it will be part of your life forever.

    The most obvious benefit is you can cover a lot more of water with Universal than with traditional Tenkara rods. You can really throw fly line much farther, which means you can get down deep and cover an entire run or pool, and this is extremely important for saltwater anglers.
    Another great benefit is your ability to control the speed of the fly with much more ease than you can with a traditional rod. Controlling fly speed, slowing down the fly, controlling the drift and mend is crucial, especially in cold water, in mid-winter, or late spring when snow and slush cover the rocks. Fish metabolism is down and fish are lethargic. You need to put the fly right by the fish's nose continuously until you get a strike. The slow, tantalizing, drift puts the fly in front of the fish longer and is often a key to rousing a fish from its lie.
    Universal rods are extremely light, very flexible and powerful. They are able to get line out there farther with a good spine and ability to load. This advance makes them easier to cast. They are so light that you can use them all day, for hours and hours without arm fatigue. They required less energy out of you to cast but they have all the power to load up and throw even heavy line. A 12 feet rod throws line as well as 15 foot rod, often even better, because of the balance. These rods have a perfect balance of lighter weight, power, and length.
    Universal rods are great for nymphing. The perfect dead drift you have following nymph along, mending as you go, is necessary for successful fishing Steelheads can be carried over to fishing with the nymph for big Brown Trout, Bull Trout or Rainbow Trout. You can go along and just flip a nymphing rig to any tail out, gut or riffle with a simple roll cast. You'll have unbeatable control of its drift or sweep.

    Traditionally, Tenkara in Japan is used on smaller free flowing mountain streams that are not surrounded by a lot of bushes and trees. These streams tend to be faster than lowland streams, and thus the fish must react quicker in taking a fly. While fishing in these smaller freestone mountain streams the longer length of the Tenkara rod and a light line choice enables the Tenkara fisher to cast the fly and then hold most if not all the line off the water surface so that the drift of the fly can be drag free and often held across the stream all the way to the other side normally inaccessible to a regular fly rod and line user. This is due to heavier line being pulled by gravity underneath the tip of the rod toward the caster resulting in the line being dragged across the water surface which in turn drags the tippet and the attached fly.

    When fishing with Tenkara rods in less traditional settings such as larger rivers, streams, lakes, bass ponds, or going to the ocean after a striped bass the line can vary depending on its size, weight, the number of flies being cast and the total distance of the intended cast to match the hatch or attract fish or species bigger than trout. Some Tenkara fishers like to fish and have successfully fished with line-tippet combos out to 40 ft or even to 100 ft, but this is not traditional Tenkara fishing.
    For such cases Universal Tenkara rods, which are longer, a little heavier and more suitable for Tenkara style fishing in much wider settings allowing traditional and non-traditional Tenkara fishing are the best choice. These rods while used for Tenkara style fishing can accommodate larger and heavier weighted flies due to their heavier line configurations. It is also quite possible to use the bait utilized by most long pole fishers with these rods. In this manner flies can be cast using longer and stronger rods and still maintain the ease and simplicity of traditional Tenkara fishing.
    Part of the joy of Tenkara fishing is the simplicity. The ability to go to the stream, larger rivers, lakes, ponds, or ocean with only a rod, furled or level line, a spool of tippet, a small box of favorite flies, a pair of nippers, and some hemostats can be very addictive. Some may choose a small landing net but many do not. Most Tenkara fishers don't even use fly floatant, and because of the long rod reach even hip waders are often left behind. Tenkara fishing is a popular method of catching fish whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater. They can be used to catch virtually any fish.
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Interline rods

InterLine rods designed with the latest revolutionary technology utilize the incredible High volume fibre carbon, combining precise resin control with unidirectional graphite fibre to make one of the lightest, strongest and most sensitive blanks. Using every component with graphite, specialized composites and customized components matching and enhancing the properties of each to produce a fine diameter blank that resists twisting, eliminating blank stress, creating better casting accuracy, even smoother drag pressure and greater hook setting power.
    The guideless blank allows for longer casts, superior action and the strength to overtake hard-fighting species. Interline rods bend evenly, no stress points provides maximum blank strength, they have 360 degree axially symmetric tip which is completely tangle free and provides equal performance at any angle. Linear Interline guide structure with the line runs inside the blank, is integrated inside the blank, no guides to provide torque stress points, with many contact points torque and friction is reduced, no extra weight, the blanks true action is optimized, no tangles, no guide breakages, even line control with convenient no tangling storage.
    Smooth bending curve - Interline rods bend evenly, no stress points provides maximum blank strength, unlike guided rods which create an uneven segmented curve with high stress points.
360 degree axially symmetric tip - completely tangle free and provides equal performance at any angle, standard tip guides tangle easily and to get full performance they must be used at the same direction as the line.
No external weight - normal guides add weight, thus the action of the blank is degraded, Interlines guide structure is integrated inside the blank, and no external weight means the blanks true action is achieved.
Torque free - the line is located inside the blank, no guides to provide torque stress points, with many contact points torque and friction is reduced, normal external guides create high friction and torque reducing the life of the blank.
Linear Interline raised spirals - line is distributed evenly along the entire spiral structure, providing smoother retrieves and ultra smooth drag pressure.
No guides - no tangles, no guide breakages, even line control with convenient no tangling storage.
Extremely high sensitivity - with up to 200 linear contact points directly onto highly sensitive carbon, Interlines are inherently more sensitive compared to standard rods, guides are made of materials that absorb vibration "dulling" line sensitivity.
No slack line - standard guided rods can have up to 30 cm of slack line due to the segmented guide distribution whereas interline provides completely even line distribution, even the subtlest of bites are felt and strikes are instantaneous.

Daiwa Interline rods

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Spey rods

The original Spey rods were heavy beasts made of greenheart wood from South America and topped out at well over 20 feet; today's Spey rods are considerably lighter and shorter with a 14 footer being ideal for our western waters. But you don't have to own a Spey rod to learn Spey casting. You can practice with any fly rod that has a fighting butt. Usually, that will be a 7 wt. or greater (of course, your hands will be closer together on this shorter rod). If you are practicing with a Spey rod, you should begin with a weight forward Spey line to match your rod. For the beginner, the Spey line should have a belly of about 50 feet. And of course, in all double-handed fly-casting you must have a leader and fly. (While a hook is not necessary for practice, it is especially important to always wear eye protection while fly-casting.)
    Spey casting is a casting technique used in fly fishing. Spey casting requires a longer, heavier two-handed fly rod, referred to as a Spey rod. Spey casting is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead and sea trout. Spey technique is also used in saltwater surf casting. All of these situations require the angler to cast larger flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles on the shore by keeping most of the line in front of the angler.
    While there are many variations of the Spey cast, the basic technique is broken down into a few simple actions. With the fly line floating directly downstream, the angler first lifts the line off the water with the tip of the rod. The angler then sweeps the line backwards just above the water, and allow just the fly and leader to "anchor" the cast by touching the water one to two rod lengths away. This back-cast is often referred to as the "D-loop", from the curving shape of the line between the anchor and the tip of the rod. The cast is completed by firing the line forward with a sharp two-handed "push-pull" motion on the handle of the rod. The cast is most easily compared to a roll cast in one-handed fly fishing, although by using the fly as an anchor, a Spey cast allows a greater loading of the rod and thus achieves greater distance than a one-handed cast.
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Ultra-light rods

These rods are used to fish for smaller species, they provide more sport with larger fish, or to enable fishing with lighter line and smaller lures. Though the term is commonly used to refer to spinning or spin-cast rods and tackle, fly rods in smaller line weights (size #0 - #3) have also long been utilized for ultra-light fishing, as well as to protect the thin-diameter, lightweight end section of leader, or tippet, used in this type of angling.
    Ultra-light spinning and casting rods are generally shorter (4 - 5.5 feet is common) lighter, and more limber than normal rods. Tip actions vary from slow to fast, depending upon intended use. These rods usually carry 1 to 6 pound (4.5 to 27 N) test fishing line. Some ultra-light rods are capable of casting lures as light as 1/64th of an ounce - typically small spinners, wet flies, crappie jigs, tubes, or bait such as trout worms. Originally produced to bring more excitement to the sport, ultra-light spin fishing is now widely used for crappie, trout, bass, bluegill and other types of panfish.
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Telescopic rods

Telescopic fishing rods are designed to collapse down to a short distance and open to a long rod. 20 or even 30 foot rods can close to as little as a foot and a half. This makes the rods very easy to transport to remote areas or travel on buses, compact cars, or public buses and subways. The telescopic feature of these rods ensures all pieces, including rod tip, are well protected inside the stronger parts of the rod, making them portable and less prone to breakage when transporting.
    Telescopic fishing rods are made from the same materials as conventional one or two piece rods. Graphite and fiberglass or composites of these materials are designed to slip into each other so that they open and close. The eyes are generally but not always a special design to aid in making the end of each section stronger. Various grade eyes available in conventional rods are also available in telescopic fishing rods.
    Surf rods are very popular rods to use telescopic models of. Carrying around a 12 or 14 foot fishing rod, even in 2 pieces, is cumbersome. The shorter the sections the shorter they close, the more eyes they have, and the better the power curve is in them. More eyes mean better weight and stress distribution throughout the parabolic arc. This translates to further casting, stronger fish fighting abilities, and less breaking of the rod.

Telescopic rods are excellent and strong fishing tools that can take a load and handle fish very well. But, they are also delicate for handling, and most breakages will occur when closing the rod. It's important to never exert any sideways pressure on the rod segments when closing the rod. It's best to put the bottom of the rod on a flat and stable surface when closing it. And, then push pieces straight in. As soon as the piece is loose you may let it slide down. The 3 tip segments are particularly fragile and special care should be taken when handling them. Care for telescopic fishing rods is much the same as other rods. The only difference being that one should not open the telescopic rod in manner that whips a closed rod into the open position rapidly. Usually the rods come with tip covers to protect the tip and guides. Be extra careful when getting your fishing rod out of the car, especially if it is a graphite rod. Too many people break their rod on the car door. Also, remember your rod's power rating and don't use fishing lures or line that is too heavy.
    Whipping or flinging a telescopic fishing rod open may and likely will cause it to be difficult to close. When closing the rod make a slight twisting motion while pushing the sections together. If pieces are stuck, you may try: holding stuck pieces with rubber pads for increased grip and pushing straight in, or gently tapping the stuck piece down. Simply hold stuck segment with your finger close to joint, lift it up and tap it down a few times to dislodge it. Always do this on a flat surface and hold delicately. Cooling a section can help too!
    Opening the telescopic rod is not complicated, but also requires delicate handling for easy opening and to prevent damaging the rod. Back to top

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Surf Rods

Surf casting rods look like oversized spinning or bait casting rods with long grip handles for two-handed casting techniques. Usually between 10 to 18 feet (3 - 5 m) in length, surf casting rods have to be longer to be able to cast the lure or bait beyond the breaking surf where fish likely pray, and strong enough to cast heavy lures or bait needed to hold the bottom in rough water. They are used in shore fishing from the beach, rocks or other shore feature or sea fishing from the shoreline. The length of the rod depends on how far and what weight of lure you want to cast. For example a 10-foot surf-casting rod will easily allow you to throw a 2- to 4-ounce lure 200 feet.
The advantage of long surf rod is a great casting distance.
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Spin and bait casting rods

Spin casting rods are rods designed to hold a spin casting reel, which is normally mounted above the handle. Spin casting rods also have small eyes and a forefinger grip trigger. They are very similar to bait casting rods, to the point where either type of reel may be used on a particular rod. While rods were at one time offered as specific "spin casting" or "bait casting" rods, this has become uncommon, as the rod design is suited to either fishing style, and today they are generally called simply "casting rods", and are usually offered with no distinction as to which style they are best suited for in use. Casting rods are typically viewed as more powerful than their spinning rod counterparts - they use heavier line and can handle heavier tackle.
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Spinning Rods

Spinning rods are made from graphite or fiberglass with a cork or PVC foam handle, and tend to be between 5 and 8.5 feet (1.5 - 2.6 m) in length. Typically, spinning rods have anywhere from 5-8 large-diameter guides arranged along the underside of the rod to help control the line. The eyes decrease in size from the handle to the tip, with the one nearest the handle usually much larger than the rest to allow less friction as the coiled line comes off the reel, and to gather the very large loops of line that come off the spinning reel's spool.
    Unlike bait casting and spin casting reels, the spinning reel hangs beneath the rod rather than sitting on top, and is held in place with a sliding or locking reel seat. The fisherman second and third fingers straddle the "leg" of the reel where it is attached to the reel seat on the rod, and the weight of the reel hangs beneath the rod, which makes for a comfortable way to fish for extended periods. This also allows the rod to be held in the fisherman's dominant hand (the handle on all spinning reels is reversible) which greatly increases control and nuance applied to the rod itself. Longer spinning rods with elongated grip handles for two-handing casting are frequently employed for saltwater or steelhead and salmon fishing. Spinning rods are also widely used for trolling and still fishing with live bait.

What is the difference between Bait casting rods and Spinning rods?
The type of rod depends on the reel you are going to use as well as the type of fishing that you plan to do.

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Sea rods

Sea rods are designed for use with huge fish from the ocean. They are long (around 4 meters on average), extremely thick, and feature huge and heavy tips, eyes, and handles. The largest of sea rods are for use with sport fishing boats. Some of these are specialized rods, including shark rods, and marlin rods, and are for use with very heavy equipment.

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Trolling rods

Trolling is a fishing method of casting the lure or bait to the side of, or behind, a moving boat, and letting the motion of the boat pull the bait through the water. In theory, for light and medium freshwater game fishing, any casting or spinning rod (with the possible exception of ultralight rods) can be used for trolling. In the last 30 years, most manufacturers have developed a complete line of generally long, heavily built rods sold as "Trolling Rods", and aimed heavily at ocean anglers and Great Lakes salmon and steelhead fishermen. A rod effective for trolling should have relatively fast action, as a very "whippy" slow action rod is extremely frustrating to troll with, and a fast action (fairly stiff) rod is generally much easier to work with when fishing by this method. As Great Lakes sport fishing in particular becomes more popular, all rod manufacturers continue to expand their lines of dedicated "trolling" rods, though as noted, for most inland lake and stream fishing, a good casting or spinning rod is perfectly adequate for trolling.
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Ice rods

These are typically very short spinning rods, varying between 24 and 36 inches in length, used to fish through holes in the cover ice of frozen lakes and ponds.