If you're looking for a new fishing rod, the choices are almost endless. When you walk into your local tackle or discount store, there are literally hundreds of different rods to choose from. Here's my biggest tip: If you aren't a professional angler, there is no need to spend more than fifty bucks on a fishing rod. I'm of course referring to most freshwater fishing. My favorite rods (that I've had for years) cost me about thirty bucks each. There is no need to break the bank when buying a fishing rod. As a matter of fact, many times you can find better deals on the internet than in retail stores, so go the retail store to actually "feel" the rod, and then write down the name model number and manufacturer of the one you like and look for it on the internet. You'll probably save a few bucks.

The first thing to keep in mind is what type of fishing will you be doing. Are you going to be fishing mainly for trout or smallmouth? In rivers and streams or out of a boat? These are the types of things that you need to know. For example, if you're going to be fishing mainly for trout out of a small to medium sized river, you're going to want either a light or ultra light action rod. If you're going to be steelhead fishing in Idaho, you're going to need a medium to medium heavy action rod.

The biggest thing to remember when holding the rod is how "whippy" it is. Does the rod become very thin and whip like at the end......this is no good. This type of rod makes setting the hook all but impossible. This type of rod is prevalent in the light and ultra light actions and should be avoided at all costs. This is why actually holding the fishing rod is important, because "whippy" rods are found in all actions and are no good for anyone.

Just as with a fishing rod being too "whippy", it can also be too stiff. Too much like a dowel of wood. A rod that's to stiff make detecting bites difficult. Stiff rods are good for trolling and trolling with downriggers. Detecting whether or not a fishing rod is too whippy or too stiff is the reason you see anglers in department stores shaking fishing rods like they were Zorro getting ready for a sword fight. Holding the rod and shaking it is the only way to get a "feel" for said rod.

The bottom line is that buying a decent fishing rod is about your personal preference as much as anything. These tips will help you pick out a good one, and remember that you don't need to break the bank. In my experience, there is very little actual difference between a $30 fishing rod and a $100 fishing rod. In many cases you're paying for a name, and getting few real fish catching advantages.