A baitcasting rod is a highly responsive workhorse. Naturally, that makes it a favorite of dedicated anglers — professionals included.
Why Choose a Baitcaster?
Though baitcasters offer numerous benefits, accuracy is the best known. These rods give anglers more control, allowing experienced users to fine-tune each cast.
Anglers can use baitcasting rods to reduce lure speed, preventing fish from getting spooked. Slower lure speed is also helpful when dealing with lethargic fish.
Baitcasters are generally more powerful than their counterparts of equal size, so they make longer casts. They can handle heavier lines, lures, and fish, too. When fish fight hard, baitcasting rods make it easy to fight back.
Power and Action
A fishing rod’s power describes how well it resists bending when under pressure. Because baitcasters are often chosen for this trait, most have power levels ranging from medium to mag heavy.
Action is about where a rod bends. With a baitcaster, you might want to capitalize on power by choosing a rod with moderate action or higher. High action levels enhance accuracy while standing up against big fish.
Other Considerations
Most beginners report that baitcasting rods have a steeper learning curve than, say, spinning rods. Though baitcasting rods allow for greater accuracy, you won’t see that feature without some practice.
To properly use this type of rod, you need to moderate spool rotation. Otherwise, you can wind up with backlash, which occurs when a spool keeps turning after a lure lands in the water.
This problem quickly results in frustrating tangles. Fortunately, some beginner-friendly baitcasting rods have anti-backlash features.
Great baitcasting rods depend on great baitcasting reels. Don’t forget to browse our collection!
